Carl and JoAnn Johnson had plenty of family help in constructing their barn quilt block, "State Fair." JoAnn's mother, Ruth Barker, serves on the Plymouth County Barn Quilt Committee. Their farm is located at 12418 K-22, rural Ireton. [Click to enlarge]

Barn quilts are quickly accumulating as more than a dozen of the vivid patchworks now hang on barns and other outbuildings across the Plymouth County landscape.

On July 13, the North West REC raised four barn quilts in rural Akron and Le Mars.

This barn quilt block in the "Eastern Star" pattern was raised on the corncrib at the Randy and Debbie Kroksh farm, 19589 C-38, rural Akron. [Click to enlarge]

"The hangings have resulted in approximately 30 families who have now hung or are interested in hanging a barn quilt in the Plymouth County area" said Mary Roder, member of the Plymouth County Barn Quilt Committee.

As highway passerbys take a second glance at the newly quilted art being hung, drivers are also noticing the barn's architecture and history that is being preserved in the process.

Carl and Joann Johnson's quilt was the first to be hung on July 13 at their home, 12418 K-22. The Johnson's nephews, who are members of the Clarinda Classics 4-H club in Page County, designed and built the barn quilt as a 4-H project. This 4-H family chose the quilt block, "State Fair," painting it with ISU, UNI and SDSU colors in honor of the colleges their children attended. Ruth Barker, grandmother to the Johnson family, also serves on the Barn Quilt Committee and helps to line up locations and quilt block patterns for participants.

The North West REC crew had a few spectators as they raised the barn quilt on the Vernon and Leanna Jurgensen at 14571 Highway 3, just east of Akron. [Click to enlarge]

"The barn has been in our family since it was built in 1921," says Ruth. "It's great that barn quilts help draw attention to historical buildings while also bringing more interest and tourism to our county."

Vernon and Leanna Jurgensen raised the next barn quilt at their Akron residence, 14571 Highway 3. The Jurgensen's created their own design which they call "Highland View," with the Johnson Jrs. 4-H club of Akron constructing and painting it.

Members of the Jurgensen family submitted various sketches for their barn quilt using scratch paper and crayons.

"Princess Feathers" is the barn quilt block that graces the restored barn of John and Pam Hutchins just east of U.S. Highway 75 at 33181 130th St. north of Le Mars. [Click to enlarge]

"Our family chose a quilt block made up of four J's for Jurgensen," said Vernon. "The Johnson Jrs. have been planning and building this quilt for two months now. It's nice to finally see the finished product."

The 120-year-old Jurgensen farm's new folkart can be seen from their "Highland View" just east of Akron.

"Eastern Star" was the next barn quilt to be raised also in the Akron area at the Randy and Debbie Kroksh farm, 19589 C-38. The Portland Preston Pillars 4-H club's senior members created the red, yellow and blue star for the Kroksh's corncrib.

Cliff Perry and his sister, Marjorie Perry, seated at left, have financed the Fredonia Country Club 4-H‚ers‚ Barn Quilt for their farm in Fredonia Township. The 4-H team who put together the Barn Quilt are, from left, Anna Loutsch, Jonathon Loutsch, Andrew Schneider, Katie Ludwig, Courtney Loutsch, leader Tracy Loutsch, and in front, Jared Ludwig. Melissa Kellen also helped but was not present for the photo. [Click to enlarge]

Chance Steen, 16, a senior member of the Portland Preston Pillars said, "the barn quilt was something everyone in our club wanted to do. With this being the first barn quilt our 4-H club's created, we chose the Eastern Star because it was a simple design."

The Kroksh's newly decorated corncrib is home to cattle, hay and a few feline families.

Another barn quilt was created and hung thanks to the Fredonia Country Club 4-H'ers, featured a "Diamond Cross" pattern of green, blue and yellow, the quilt was raised on a 1955 granary at the Mike and Kathy Detloff farm, (38293 C-16) in Fredonia Township.

Cliff Perry and his sister, Marjorie Perry, own the Detloff farm and financed the barn quilt project. The Detloffs chose the colors of green and yellow to represent John Deere and the green of 4-H. The Fredonia Country 4-H club also received a reserve grand champion ribbon at the Plymouth County Fair for their effort's in creating the Detloff's barn quilt.

The final barn quilt hanging took place at the John and Pam Hutchins farm near U.S. 75 north of Le Mars. Owners of Red's Printing in Le Mars, the Hutchins chose to print their quilt block rather than paint it. "Princess Feathers" is bright green with blue and yellow to complement the Hutchin's restored red barn.

Many 4-H clubs, volunteers and Barn Quilt Committee members have been helping to create these barn quilts, a process that includes: selecting a pattern, building the barn quilt structure, designing, painting and of course, hanging, which is being done by the North West REC.

"Barn quilts help to promote tourism throughout the state," said Darwin Dirks, assistant manager and director of operation services for the North West REC. "Many other counties are hanging barn quilts as well. This is a good thing for our county and we're just glad that the REC can help out in this community project."

Ten Barn Quilts are now displayed on barns and other farm buildings which is bringing tourists and economic impact into rural Plymouth County communities as they view the colorful barn folkart.

"These barn quilts have been a great addition to our county and it gives us a chance to appreciate the vanishing barns of the midwest. Barns are an important part of Iowa's history and it's our job to hang on and preserve them," said Mary Roder.

There is no limit on the number of barn quilts for Plymouth County as there are even more barn quilt blocks in the process of being created.

Directing the Barn Quilt Project for Plymouth County is the Le Mars Arts Council, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension Service, Plymouth County.

Barn Quilt maps also are available for residents or visitors wishing to view all of the quilts. For more information on the Barn Quilt Project contact the Le Mars Arts Center, (712) 546-7476.

Plymouth County Barn Quilts

Ted Hoffman Farm, Iowa Star, 28163 200th St., Le Mars

Carl and Colleen Westergard Farm, Pale Star, 21915 120th St., Ireton (gravel)

Richard and Wanda Philips Farm, Corn Splend-Ear, 16386 Highway 3, Akron

John and Pam Hutchins Farm, Princess Feathers, 33181 130th St., Le Mars, (gravel)

Ron and Jeanne Schultz Farm, Liberty Star, 21031 K-42, Merrill

Carl and Joann Johnson Farm, State Fair, 12418 K-22, Ireton

Mike and Kathy Detloff Farm (Clifford and Marjorie Perry home place), Diamond Cross, 38293 C-16, Le Mars

Vernon and Leanna Jurgensen Farm, Highland View, 14571 Hwy. 3, Akron

Rand and Deb Kroksh Farm, Eastern Star, 19589 C-38, Akron

Steve and Lanay Welch Farm, Farmer's Wife (Coming Soon), 17878 Hwy. 3, Akron

Welcome Quilts

Kevin and Kim Regan, Pinwheel, 600 Third Ave. S.E., Le Mars (east side of garage)

Dennis and Margaret Wolf, Bear Claw and Eight Pointed Star, 35861 200th St. Le Mars

The Le Mars Arts Center, Star Bound, 200 Central Ave. S.E., Le Mars

Plymouth County Fair, County Fair, 500 4th Ave. N.E., Le Mars, Pioneer Village (Painted by 2006 Plymouth County Fair Queen Ashley Fitzgerald)