girl walking livestock in a pen

Growing roots and inspiring futures through local 4-H livestock matching program

November 21, 2025

Council Bluffs, IA, November 20, 2025 - With harvest complete and grain bins full, we’re reminded of the deep agricultural roots that shape our communities. Among Western Iowa’s most cherished ag cornerstones is Westfair, a place where families gather, futures are shaped and rural and urban traditions unite. After celebrating more than 50 years of impact, Westfair is entering a new season of growth and possibility.

TS Bank has been honored to support Westfair in various ways since 1978. This year, we proudly sponsored several fair activities, including the queen pageant, the pedal pull contest and our annual watermelon feed following the cattle show. These traditions reflect our commitment to community and youth development.

  

Beyond event sponsorships, TS Bank has a long history of championing philanthropy through our 4-H Matching Program. For every dollar donated by 4-H members to the livestock building fund, TS Bank matches it, making each contribution go further.

Launched in 2012, this program now includes support from Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home. Since its inception, nearly $40,000 has been raised for fairground improvements, including pen repairs, grandstand renovations, and other facility upgrades. In recent years, nearly 100% of 4-H members participate each year, reflecting an incredible spirit of giving back.

As Westfair looks ahead, the board has launched a multi-phase $34 million capital campaign to revitalize the fairgrounds and amphitheater for the next 50 years. Plans include:

  • A 65,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art education and expo building with a show ring, arena as well as classroom space to create a versatile venue for livestock events, youth sports events, and local meetings.
  • An expanded amphitheater with seating for up to 9,000 concertgoers.
  • Infrastructure upgrades for technology, power, water, and accessibility, plus new green spaces and hard-surface parking for year-round events.
  • Plus, the Westfair sale committee has made a commitment of $20,000, in addition to the match for exhibitors' contributions.

  

The Spirit of Westfair lives on in the families who gather, the friendships formed, and the generations who return year after year. In writing the next chapter, it is one that ensures special places, like Westfair, continues to grow and serve the families and community members who make it great.

As part of TS Bank’s mission to IGNITE PROSPERITY®, we are proud to be part of ways that impact youth and promote agriculture. We truly believe in building a brighter future and empowering the next generation of community leaders.

To learn more about the Spirit of Westfair Capital Campaign, contact Connie Casson with the Friends of Westfair at 402.981.5973 or cmcasson@gmail.com, or visit www.westfair.org/spirit-of-westfair.

About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $472 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $215 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.