Hi, MariahBusta!

This past month has been one to remember as we’ve all adjusted to a new “normal”. Between cancelled events, diminishing markets and uncertainty in our lives, we’ve all learned to become resilient. However, resiliency is something we’re very familiar with in the agriculture community. At Iowa’s Dairy Center, we’ve been dealing with the same challenges as any other farm or business, but continue to adapt to ensure the health of our employees and animals. As we continue to adjust our lives to the new “normal”, let’s remember to continue to support one another during these challenging times. We’re all in this together.

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Bring the Farm to Your Classroom, Virtually!

Are you a teacher or parent who would like to bring the farm to your student’s virtual classroom? We can make that happen! Iowa’s Dairy Center will be offering virtual tours of our dairy farm via Zoom. Teachers can schedule a virtual tour of the Dairy Center’s calf barn, freestall barn or robotic milking system. These interactive tours will be held throughout the month of May and last approximately 15-20 minutes each. To schedule a virtual field trip with your class, contact Mariah Busta at bustam@nicc.edu.

2020 Breakfast on the Farm is Cancelled

The Breakfast on the Farm committee has made the tough decision to cancel the 2020 event which was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The health and safety of our visitors is our highest priority and cancelling allows us to ensure that. We are continuing to work diligently find other ways to celebrate National Dairy Month this June. Stay tuned!

Iowa's Dairy Center Hosts FarmChat Friday

Iowa’s Dairy Center recently partnered with the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation to host a FarmChat via Facebook Live. Last Friday, Mariah was able to give viewers a look inside our freestall barn and show off the robotic milking systems. Watch.

NICC News

Visit Campus Virtually

During your virtual visit our admissions staff will introduce you to the College, discuss career pathway options, financial aid, the admissions process and much more. A few minutes before the start of the session, click Join Session on the event page to join the Zoom Virtual Visit. No registration is required! Learn more.

Northeast Iowa Community College Holding Virtual Commencement May 14

In response to COVID-19 and the restriction on large gatherings, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will host a virtual commencement ceremony this spring. The recorded ceremony will be broadcast on Facebook LIVE on Thursday May 14, 2020, at 7 p.m. Students, faculty, staff families and friends are encouraged to comment and interact during the broadcast.  A recorded version of the ceremony will also be available at www.nicc.edu. Read more.

NICC COVID-19 Update

NICC is implementing the next phase of our pandemic plan and will continue to monitor situations in our communities:

• College staff and faculty are working remotely and are here to help students and the community. Please call 844.642.2338 to reach us.
• College campus and center buildings are closed to the public through May 15 with staff and faculty working remotely during this time.
• All credit classes will continue online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
• Spring 2020 Commencement will be an online virtual ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. More details will be released soon.
• Community and business-related classes, when possible, will be offered via a safe environment including an online format.
• College sponsored travel restrictions remain in place.
• Labs, clinicals, and other hands-on activities. The Deans and faculty are exploring options to help our students complete their requirements. They will be in touch. Guidance from the Department of Education and accreditation agencies are being taken into consideration.
• All events scheduled to be held at NICC are cancelled through May 15.

Please continue to monitor our website, www.nicc.edu/covid19, for up-to-date information.

Dairy Profile: Maria Streif

Maria Streif is completing her degree in Dairy Science Technology at NICC. She is involved on her family’s dairy farm, Triple M Dairy near West Union, and interned last summer with Select Sires Mid-America. In addition to Maria’s passion for dairy, she has a great talent for writing. Recently, Maria’s poem was selected as Honorable Mention in the NICC Writing Contest. Congratulations, Maria! Read more.

Industry News

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team offers COVID-19 resources. Read more.

Hoard’s Dairyman is hosting webinars on Wednesdays, at 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), where four leading dairy economists join forces to sort through the coronavirus pandemic and its upheaval on our dairy markets. Register.

USDA announces $19 billion plan to help farmers. Read more.

Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference goes virtual on June 10. Read more.

Calendar of Events

Visit our website to see all upcoming events and continuing education courses.

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
May 22 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation 
1527 Hwy. 150 S., Calmar, Iowa
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