Mahaska County Shines in New Promotional Video Featuring Local Talent
Mahaska County Conservation recently debuted a stunning promotional video, Home Away From Home, showcasing the area’s beauty, community spirit, and local talent. Spearheaded by Mahaska County Conservation Director Chris Clingan and produced by William Penn University’s Film Artist-in-Residence, Max Leonida, the project brings together the talents of musicians, filmmakers, and conservationists to celebrate the charm and warmth of the county.
The video, produced with support from the Iowa Tourism Office, highlights various natural landmarks, local attractions, and the area’s inviting atmosphere, making Mahaska County a “home away from home” for visitors. The project features an original song by local musician Brittany Sword, whose warm melodies underscore the visuals. Sword collaborated with Leonida and fellow musicians, including violinist Alexandra Nagorno and drummer Daniel Thatcher, to create the track.
The video’s production was a community effort, with local sponsors and volunteers coming together to bring the project to life. Filming took place over two days, capturing the area’s scenic landscapes, all shot with a 6K RED Komodo camera, providing cinematic quality to the promotional piece.
Individuals involved with the production of ‘Home Away From Home’ pose for a photo at the MTC on the Campus of William Penn.
Chris Clingan, who has been with Mahaska County Conservation for over a year and a half, expressed his pride in the project. “This was an opportunity to move closer to family and use my experience to promote what we do here,” he said. Clingan sees the video as a powerful tool to draw more people into the community, showing off the natural beauty and historical significance of the area. He emphasized the importance of Mahaska County’s conservation legacy, especially highlighting the work of John Lacey, a local figure who played a pivotal role in shaping conservation efforts across the U.S.
Max Leonida, who has been part of the Oskaloosa community for the past four years, said the project was a way for him to give back to the community that has warmly welcomed him. “We spared no resources in making this video,” he noted, referring to the high-end equipment and the detailed planning that went into the two-day shoot.
Home Away From Home will be used to promote Mahaska County not only locally but also out of state, with plans to air the video in movie theaters and on television, in addition to social media.
The full promotional video is available online, with additional shorter clips being released in the coming weeks. This initiative hopes to continue building Mahaska County’s profile as a welcoming destination for both tourists and potential new residents.
For more information and to view the video, visit Mahaska County Conservation’s website or follow their social media channels.
