Barn Hunter - Have Camera - Will Travel

Dave Austin, editor of the Iowa Barn Foundation Magazine, will share his barn hunting adventures during a special presentation hosted by the Stuart Library PALS (People Active for Library Service).

Dave Austin is an avid barn and farmscape photographer, stemming from his lifelong love of agriculture. Dave grew up on a dairy farm in SW Wisconsin and relocated to central Iowa to pursue his PhD in Plant Genetics at Iowa State University. After graduation, he took root in Iowa accepting an information technology position with Corteva Agriscience starting a career that has now spanned 28 years.

You will frequently see Dave’s agriculture photos in Our Iowa, the magazine that celebrates all that is great about living in Iowa. Dave is also the volunteer photographer and editor of the Iowa Barn Foundation Magazine, where he tells the farm family stories behind each barn. The volunteer-led non-profit is dedicated to preserving Iowa’s rural heritage – one barn at a time.

On weekends, you will find Dave hitting the back roads of rural Iowa hunting barns. His days are measured not in barns per hour but in hours per barn as he ventures inside to capture the construction details and master craftsmanship. His goal on every outing is the same – to capture the pure beauty of Iowa’s historic “Cathedrals on the Prairie” to honor the role they played in American agriculture.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Stuart.