Investing in Calhoun County
Cuisine in the Corn celebrates leadership, ag
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TWIN LAKES -- More than 150 guests gathered in the Moore family cornfield near Twin Lakes on Friday for Leadership Calhoun presents Cuisine in the Corn, a sold-out evening celebrating local food, agriculture, leadership and the spirit of Calhoun County.
The event was the community service project of the inaugural Leadership Calhoun cohort, a program of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC).
"Tonight is about much more than an exceptional meal. It is a celebration of leadership, collaboration and investing in the future of our communities," said Theresa Hildreth, CCEDC executive director. "We believe the greatest investment we can make is in our people."
CCEDC launched Leadership Calhoun in 2025 as an initiative of its strategic plan priority of community development and capacity building. The nine-month program brought together 15 emerging and established leaders.
Meeting one day each month, participants explored economic development, education, government, agriculture, health care, civic leadership and other issues impacting the county through discussions, facility tours and connections with local and state leaders.
As part of the program, the cohort was challenged to develop a community service project that would create a lasting impact. The answer was Cuisine in the Corn.
Proceeds from the evening will support scholarships for students with Calhoun County roots who intend to return to the county and the outdoor classroom being developed by Calhoun County Conservation.
Pat and Sue Moore and their family hosted the event in their cornfield, creating a memorable setting surrounded by some of Calhoun County's most productive farmland. Pat Moore is a longtime member of the CCEDC Board of Directors.
"Pat and Sue are the ultimate hosts, and we appreciate their dedication, leadership and support throughout Calhoun County," Hildreth said.
The Iowa-inspired dinner was catered by Yetter Locker and featured caesar salad, sweet corn chowder, smoked pork loin and turkey, red mashed potatoes, green beans with candied bacon and dessert.
Pork was provided by Iowa Select Farms, with turkey raised by the Moline family of Golden Prairie Turkeys. Homegrown flowers came from the Hedeen family and Emily Hildreth of Cedar Ridge Hildreth Homestead.
Entertainment was provided by 1 Piano, 2 Much Fun.
"I was excited to be chosen to be part of this new group, Leadership Calhoun," said Bailey Landgraf, an organizer of the project. "I enjoy getting involved in my community and I was eager to learn more about the place I call home. What I took away from this past year has been huge and I have gained a ton of knowledge about the businesses, people, and opportunities in our county. Our event Cuisine in the Corn was a great culmination of our program and a way to promote, celebrate, and give thanks to our county members."
Leadership was also on display through the involvement of South Central Calhoun FFA students, who assisted throughout the evening. Their participation brought another generation into the event and reinforced Leadership Calhoun's mission of developing leaders through hands-on engagement and service.
The momentum continues this fall with Leadership Calhoun Cohort No. 2. Another group of emerging and established leaders will begin the nine-month experience of learning more about Calhoun County, building connections and discovering opportunities to become more engaged in their workplaces and communities.
Community members can become involved in several ways. Individuals interested in growing their leadership skills are encouraged to apply for Cohort No. 2, while businesses and organizations can nominate or financially support employees and emerging leaders. Businesses, organizations and individuals can also become Leadership Calhoun sponsors, helping CCEDC continue to provide high-quality programming and experiences for participants.
Those interested in participating, nominating a future leader or becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation for more information.