Community Caring Award Presented to Multi-Purpose Barn Project Committee

The Community Foundation of Louisa County has named the Multi-Purpose Barn Project Committee as the recipient of the 2026 Community Caring Award.

Pictured: Donna Williams, Steve Sents, Chandra Edwards, Kelse Truitt, Kale Boysen, Bambi Boysen, Kathy Jolly Vance, Eric Totemeier, Kelli Totemeier, and Tom Wilson

The “Barn Committee” is a small but hardworking group of volunteers with a wide range of skills, making them a perfect group to move the project forward. We are thankful for their vision, dedication, and countless hours of work to make this new facility a reality.

This group has tackled an ambitious project from start to finish, raising funds, guiding the design, and now overseeing the construction of the multi-purpose barn located at the Louisa County Fairgrounds in Columbus Junction. The $1.21 million construction budget has been met through private and corporate donations, community pledges, and grants.

Kathy Jolly Vance stated, “Our Barn Committee may be small, but the range of skills has made this project possible. Bambi Boysen led donor efforts, Kelli and Eric Totemeier brought youth insight and building experience, and Kale Boysen kept us looking ahead with a “we can do this” approach to the project. I help keep everything organized and moving forward, dealing with all the details, paperwork, and managing the money.”

The committee recognized that our existing barns were showing their age, with most averaging more than six decades old, and that our county lacked a space large enough for regional events, multi-school gatherings, and community celebrations. This new structure will do both: support 4-H and FFA students in their livestock learning adventures and offer room for large events that bring our county together.

The Multi-Purpose Barn Committee, in partnership with the Louisa County Fair Board, local 4-H and FFA chapters, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has truly built something more than a facility. They’ve built a symbol of community teamwork and pride.

As part of the Community Caring Award, the Committee will receive a $500 donation to support the barn project.

The Community Foundation recognizes the group’s efforts in bringing the project from concept to construction and their contribution to the community.