Iowa State Fair group launches "Back the Barns" campaign

Catch up fast: The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation announced a $25 million multi-year improvement project in August to the cattle, horse, sheep and swine barns.

• More than $17 million had already been pledged last summer through a state grant and large donors.

Driving the news: The Foundation is now ramping up efforts to solicit the remaining $8 million through individual donors contributing to its "Back the Barns" campaign.

• People who pledge at least $3,000 over a three-year period get a commemorative belt buckle.

State of play: More than $70K was pledged by 27 people in the first month of the campaign, foundation director Peter Cownie tells Axios.

• The first renovations start in coming months at the sheep barn. with the overall project projected to take up to five years to complete.