Wallace Centers of Iowa
Wallace Centers of Iowa
Wallace Centers of IowaWallace Centers of Iowa
Real Soil Applicant Packet
Little House on the Iowa Prairie Registration

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Winner of the 2011 Better Together Award from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Wallace Centers of Iowa’s two locations include the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center in rural Orient and the Wallace House in Des Moines. Both sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With a broad mission of "Building Community by Engaging Citizens in Meaningful Conversation and Active Learning," the two historic sites provide a variety of non-partisan, educational programs and community services focused on civility and sustainable agriculture:

Production and Sale of more than 40 organically-grown fruits and vegetables to local grocery stores, farmers markets, and Prairie Harvest Community Supported Agriculture subscribers.

The Gathering Table at the Country Life Center offers dining nearly year-round that utilizes locally-grown food.

Community-Building Programs such as:
Real Soil, Real Food, A Real Difference educates teens about critical food issues such as food insecurity, food safety, and nutrition with a short-term intensive and long-term self-guided project.
Civility Dialogue Lunches gather concerned community members around the table for discussion about civility in our community.
Everyday Civility helps to build civility in the workplace with a two-hour learning session for employees.
Community Conversations facilitate conversation about current issues with community members and local experts.
Hearts & Homes Historic Teas share household tips and issues of the day from the women's section of the historic Wallaces' Farmer farm journal.

Entrepreneurial Food Production Processes and Activities provide proven methods to other producers and reintroduces consumers to real food.

Community-Building Consulting for neighborhoods, towns, non-profit organizations, and people who share a common interest. Using seven unique components, The Wallace Centers of Iowa's community efforts foster civil dialogue; shape a broad, grass roots-supported vision; and translate that vision into action.

Agri-Tourism Programs, Historic Tours and Archives: Provides information about the achievements of Wallace family members to students, authors, researchers, and the public for reports, articles, books, historical exhibits, and general interest.
























Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21 & 28
Gathering Table Lunches & Dinners

Open Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm for lunch and 5:30 to 9 pm for dinner at the Country Life Center near Orient. Menus center around the in-season produce from the organic gardens. Click on our restaurant page for changing weekly menus or call 641-337-5019 for more info. Reservations recommended for evening dining.

Friday, May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
Gathering Table Lunches & Dinners

Offered each Friday from 11 am to 1 pm for lunch and 5:30 to 9 pm for dinner at the Country Life Center near Orient. Menus center around the in-season produce from the organic gardens. Visit our restaurant page for weekly menus or call 641-337-5019 for more info. Reservations strongly recommended for evening dining.

Tuesday, May 29
Immigration Dialogue Dinner Series

Author Jennifer Wilson will share her family’s story, "Running Away to Home." For one year the Wilsons lived in a small Croatian village that is home to many of Jennifer’s ancestors. Cost is $25 per person. Reserve a seat by calling 515-243-7063 or email janfalk@wallace.org.

Saturday, June 2
Farm to Table Dinner

Produce from the Country Life Center will be showcased at a four-course gourmet dinner at the Wallace House. Seatings at 6 pm and 7:45 pm. The June 2 menu includes pork loin with Parmesan polenta cake and sugar snap peas, baby beet arugula salad, and spring vegetable platter. Dessert is lemon lavender cake with rhubarb ice cream. $50 per person. Bring your own wine. Reservations at janfalk@wallace.org or 515-243-7063.

Tuesday, June 5
Little House on the Iowa Prairie for girls

Girls ages 8-11 will spend a day on the prairie near Orient learning about and practicing their homesteading skills: gardening, cooking, and crafts. $45 per person, registration required. Click on the "Little House" button for forms.

Saturday, July 21
Farm to Table Dinner

Produce from the Country Life Center will be showcased at a four-course gourmet dinner at the Wallace House. Seatings at 6 pm and 7:45 pm. Entree selections will be announced soon. $50 per person. Bring your own wine. Reservations at janfalk@wallace.org or 515-243-7063.

Saturday, August 25
Farm to Table Dinner

Produce from the Country Life Center will be showcased at a four-course gourmet dinner at the Wallace House. Seatings at 6 pm and 7:45 pm. Entree selections will be announced soon. $50 per person. Bring your own wine. Reservations at janfalk@wallace.org or 515-243-7063.

Saturday, October 6
Farm to Table Dinner

Produce from the Country Life Center will be showcased at a four-course gourmet dinner at the Wallace House. Seatings at 6 pm and 7:45 pm. Entree selections will be announced soon. $50 per person. Bring your own wine. Reservations at janfalk@wallace.org or 515-243-7063.

Tuesday, October 16
Hearts & Homes Open Tea

Small groups will gather in the middle parlor for a 90-minute history program about the women's section of Wallaces' Farmer magazine along with a delicious lunch. Cost is $20 per person. Reservations: 515-243-7063 or email janfalk@wallace.org

For more details visit our events page.

Upcoming Events
756 Sixteenth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314
2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa
515-243-7063 (Des Moines) • 641-337-5019 (Orient)
Email: info@wallace.org