News : Celebrating the farmer: Keith and Janet Elwick named PIP Parade Grand Marshals

This week we will continue to celebrate the local farmer, those involved in the field of agriculture and the way in which they have all positively shaped the culture of our community. As a couple that has been highly immersed in the world of agriculture and has exemplified what it means to cultivate community, the Party in the Park Committee is pleased to announce that they have selected Keith and Janet Elwick as the Grand Marshals for this year’s festival.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Radcliffe, Iowa, Keith was immersed in the world of farming at an early age. Working alongside his father, it was here that he gained an appreciation for the trials and tribulations of farming life. After moving to the Vinton area in 1937, Keith would meet his future bride, Janet Bolenbaugh, and get one of his first tastes of “city life.”The two were married in 1939 and, with only $30 to their name, they happily began their life together in the pursuit of farming and helping others.

Later on it would be Keith’s patented, innovative and labor-saving machine designs such as the flail-type manure side spreader and the large round balers that not only created new heights of success, but also placed him squarely on the radar of major players in the ag market such as John Deere Co., New Holland and Howard Rotavator. With lots of work, luck and help from family and friends, Hawk Bilt was officially incorporated in 1959. His new company began rolling products off the line that would soon assist in revolutionizing the efficiency of farming life, a feat that recently earned him the first-ever Silos and Smokestacks’ Golden Silo Award for Heroes in American Agriculture.

With the Elwicks now whisked away into a corporate world that they both never before knew existed, Janet kept up on the house and raised their four wonderful children: Jean (Lewis), Mike, John and Kathy (Blank). Keith, still shaking his head today with almost a hint of disbelief, states how truly fortunate he is to have had such a wonderful and inspiring woman by his side all of these years. With the children now grown and active members of the Vinton community, Keith and Janet feel utterly blessed to have a very large, caring family that now includes grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren!

Through their years together, Keith and Janet have also shared a passion towards helping the community of Vinton. As an example, they established a scholarship fund to benefit Benton County students enrolled at Kirkwood Community College and have aided in improving local health care through their involvement with the Virginia Gay Hospital. Keith and Janet have also given significantly to Vinton over the years in ways that still benefit us today. For example, the Elwick’s donation of 70 acres of farmland to the City of VInton in 1974 enabled the proceeds of its sale to be used to finance the construction of the Vinton Recreation Center. Additionally, after completely renovating Vinton’s train depot and using it as Hawk Bilt’s sales office for several years, Hawk Bilt and it’s 130-plus employees donated the facility to the Benton County Historical Society. The intent of assuring the depot’s charm would be preserved for future generations has been successful as it is still used by people of all ages on a weekly basis as the home for the Vinton Farmers Market and is a frequent stop for out-of-town tourists.

Keith Elwick is highly regarded for his innovations that ultimately made positive change on the landscape of modern farming but it is both Janet and Keith’s commitment to family and community that is also to be greatly commended. Congratulations to our 2015 Party in the Park Grand Marshals, Keith and Janet Elwick!