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Ag Music on Main draws big crowd, backs Future of Farming with $10K FFA gift
A record crowd gathered in Mt. Pleasant for Ag Music on Main, where fun, community, and a $10,000 boost to New London’s new FFA program took center stage.
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MT. PLEASANT — Sunshine, small-town spirit, and the sounds of country music filled the air on Friday, June 20, as families from across Henry County gathered in Central Park for the annual Ag Music on Main event.
While there were pedal tractor pulls, a prizewinning tractor show, and even a few inflatable bulls named Max and Finn, the heart of the evening was a celebration of community commitment to the future of agriculture.
Hosted in partnership by Main Street Mt. Pleasant and Henry County Farm Bureau, the event saw a significant uptick in attendance this year. According to Deanne Scott Hart with Farm Bureau, more than 200 members checked in — a jump from 132 last year.
“We’re up significantly from last year,” Scott Hart said, noting that check-in numbers only account for one person per family or group. That means total attendance was likely much higher. “It was amazing,” she added.
Helping boost that attendance was a proactive approach from Main Street and Farm Bureau staff. Coloring sheet flyers were distributed to elementary schools before summer break, and postcards went out to Farm Bureau members.
“We got coloring sheet flyers to the elementaries before school got out and we got some new sponsors this year,” said Main Street Director Lisa Oetken. Sarah Seitz with Farm Bureau said she believes the social media push and mailed invitations also played a role.
Whatever the reason, the turnout brought a lively energy to downtown Mt. Pleasant, where families strolled through booths, cheered on children in the pedal tractor pull, and voted on their favorite tractors.
Among the young competitors was Finn Baxter, who took second place last year and returned with his twin brother Max in tow. Max had a different idea of victory: he was convinced the two would share first place. The brothers also enjoyed a bull-themed ringtoss game provided by Southeast Iowa Realty — so much so that Max named the twin inflatable bulls after themselves.
While the games, tractors, and community spirit kept the park buzzing, the highlight of the evening came when the Henry County Farm Bureau presented a $10,000 check to the New London Ag Foundation.
The money is the first of three installments totaling $30,000 pledged over the next three years to support the new FFA program officially launching this fall at New London High School.
Students from the new chapter were on hand to help with the evening’s festivities, showing their appreciation for the donation through action. Joe Garbey, a parent to two New London FFA members, said the students felt compelled to give back.
“The community gave to them very quickly,” Garbey said. “In about a month's time, the group that started the whole deal raised about $170,000 in about four weeks. Farm Bureau was a huge benefactor to that.”
For Farm Bureau members and organizers, the donation wasn’t just a gift — it was an investment.
“This is an exciting investment in the future of agriculture,” Farm Bureau stated in a social media post following the event. “Big thanks to all of our members who came out — your support powers everything we do.”
The tractor show drew its own crowd of admirers. Rick Smith earned “Best of Show” honors, while the “People’s Choice” award went to Caden Mullin. Young artist Kayla Syfert took home top honors in the coloring contest.
All around the park, the buzz of conversation, laughter, and music created an atmosphere that was as welcoming as it was festive.
By evening’s end, as the music wound down and booths were packed away, the message was clear: agriculture remains not just a profession but a passion in Henry County. And events like Ag Music on Main remind residents that, when it comes to supporting the next generation, this community shows up — in numbers, in spirit, and in generosity.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
