All are invited to enjoy local food and wine, music and the early fall scenery at Investigate Midwest’s annual fundraiser in support of the IowaWatch newsroom.
Sunset on the Farm takes place on Sunday, September 22nd from 5-8 p.m. at the Walker Homestead just outside of Iowa City. Tickets are $25 for children 5 and older and $50 for adults, including unlimited wood-fired pizza, salad and a make-your-own s’mores kit. Buy tickets here.
There will also be a bar, a silent auction and live music from the Mission Bluegrass Band.
“Sunset on the Farm is always a wonderful event – rain or shine – and we are excited to host it again at the Walker Homestead, which offers a beautiful setting,” said Erin Orr, executive director of Investigate Midwest.
Investigate Midwest is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides news outlets with investigative reporting on agribusiness and agricultural industries. IowaWatch operates under the auspices of Investigate Midwest.
IowaWatch newsroom staff members will be present, including data journalist Mónica Cordero, a Report for America corps member in Des Moines, and Mary Ungs-Sogaard, a donor relations manager from Dyersville. Orr, who lives in northwest Indiana, will also be there.
Tickets and other donations to Sunset on the Farm support investigative, data-driven journalism and help educate college students. This year’s student assistant is Payton Spindler of Hubbard, Iowa, a senior at the University of Iowa pursuing a degree in event management and minors in international studies and global health studies. Other students will help on the day of the event as part of the UI’s event management program. Heather Spangler is an associate professor and coordinator of the program.
IowaWatch’s first fall fundraiser was held in 2015, with a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. The event began when Lyle Muller served as IowaWatch’s executive director. Today, he sits on the board of Investigate Midwest at the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication along with Erin Jordan, associate professor of practice.
There will also be live music from Müller’s band this evening.
Presenting sponsors include the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Alan Swanson with Blank & McCune Real Estate of Iowa City, and Hills Bank.
Investigate Midwest, also known as the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, has won national and regional awards for its data-driven, investigative reporting.
If you have any questions, please contact Ungs-Sogaard at [email protected].
Walker Homestead Farm and Winery is located at 3867 James Ave. SW, outside of Iowa City.
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