Cuisine in the Corn 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 with roots and a passion for Calhoun County.
Meeting one day each month, participants explored economic development, education, government, agriculture, healthcare, 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. Their 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 from the Hedeen family and Emily Hildreth of Cedar Ridge Hildreth Homestead added to the farm-to-table atmosphere.
Entertainment was provided by 1 Piano, 2 Much Fun, which kept guests engaged and singing along throughout the evening. The performance concluded with a patriotic salute that provided a memorable ending to the celebration.
Project point person, Bailey Landgraf shared her thoughts of Leadership Calhoun, “I was excited to be chosen to be part of this new group, Leadership Calhoun. 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.”
Attendee Susan Schoon of Twin Lakes raved about the event, “We had the best corn chowder! And the entertainment was fabulous.”
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. Working alongside the cohort and community volunteers provided the students an opportunity to demonstrate servant leadership—stepping forward, working together and serving their community.
Their involvement was also a reminder that building Calhoun County’s future means creating meaningful opportunities for young people to become engaged and lead today.
“Leadership programs are most powerful when participants take what they’ve learned and put it into action. Cuisine in the Corn did exactly that,” said Cheryl O’Hern of Spin Markket + Digital.
The momentum continues this fall with Leadership Calhoun Cohort #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 #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.
“Calhoun County is truly an amazing place,” Hildreth told the crowd. “It’s amazing because of the people who are here—those who work and live in our communities. You are the people who make Calhoun County amazing.”
With more than 150 people gathered around tables surrounded by Iowa cornfields, Cuisine in the Corn provided a fitting celebration of the inaugural Leadership Calhoun cohort and demonstrated the program’s mission in action: connecting people, strengthening communities and investing in the future of Calhoun County.
The Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation is seeking a dynamic, collaborative professional to serve as our next Executive Director. The full-time position offers the opportunity to make meaningful impact across Calhoun County.
