The Dairy Center Connection.

Hi, MariahBusta!

Despite the disruptions COVID-19 caused to our daily routines, it has taught us to be resilient. At Iowa’s Dairy Center, we’ve had to make our fair share of adaptions to adjust to living life with the virus. Though it has been challenging, it has forced us to step outside of our comfort zone and find other ways to share our agriculture story. The past few weeks have been filled with virtual tours which has been an amazing experience. I was able to connect with several classrooms and share our farm through the camera lens. A couple classrooms “visited” us from Colombia, Missouri, which was exciting to reach beyond our normal schools in Northeast Iowa. These virtual tours have been very and rewarding and I hope to continue reaching those schools from a further distance even after our lives return to “normal”.

How has COVID-19 caused you to step outside of your comfort zone? 

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation


What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Visit Our Farm Virtually!

Would you like to visit Iowa’s Dairy Center virtually? We can make that happen! Iowa’s Dairy Center will be offering virtual tours of our dairy farm via Zoom. These interactive tours will be held throughout the summer and last approximately 30-45 minutes each. To schedule a virtual tour, contact Mariah Busta at bustam@nicc.edu.

We’re Hiring!

We have several openings for part-time employment at Iowa's Dairy Center. Positions include milking in a double-8 parlor, working with our two Lely robots and calf feeding. We have flexible schedules and competitive pay. For more information and to apply, students can contact Gary Lien at 563.419.4616.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Goes Virtual

June 18, July 9, or August 5  |  10 a.m.-Noon  |  Zoom

The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® is the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. The purpose of these one-day events is to teach students to stay safe on farms and at home with a variety of age-appropriate lessons. Topics may include ATV safety, machinery safety and more.

Youth who live on a farm, work on a farm or visit a farm are encouraged to attend. Open to children ages 4-12. Registration is required. Space is limited.

For more information contact the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) at 888.844.6322 or safetyday@nicc.edu.

AI Course Cancelled

The June artificial insemination course has been cancelled. The course, hosted in conjunction with Select Sires MidAmerica, was originally scheduled for June 8-10. The next course is being planned for November.


NICC News

Dairy Science Student Highlighted at NICC Commencement Ceremony

2020 Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) graduates were honored for their accomplishments through a virtual commencement ceremony on May 14. The virtual commencement included a message from 2020 Dairy Science Technology graduate Becca Hermann of Manchester, Iowa. Becca reflected upon her experiences at NICC. Watch.

Featuring the Dairy Science Technology Class of 2020

The NICC Dairy Science Technology 2020 graduates were recently highlighted on Facebook, featuring their activites while at NICC and future plans. We wish all of our graduates the best of luck in their future as they return to their family’s farm, find a job in the agriculture industry or continue their education. Read more.

NICC Has an Agriculture Program for You!

The Agriculture and Animal Sciences programs provide unique learning opportunities for students to train at Iowa’s Dairy Center. Students pursuing the agriculture and animal sciences enjoy working in the natural environment, learning new technologies and caring for large and small animals. Areas of specialization within this field include, but are not limited to: dairy and beef science, veterinary care and agriculture business and production, including the latest technology in precision farming and robotics. Learn more.


Dairy Profile: Bob Kugel

Bob Kugel is finishing up his time serving on the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation’s Board of Directors. Bob is a retired dairy farmer and former employee of Dairy Farmers of America. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and has been an active member volunteering at Breakfast on the Farm and representing the Foundation at ISDA meetings and the Dairy Experience Forum. Thank you, Bob, for your time serving on the board!  


Industry News

Farmers and ranchers in Iowa can now apply for financial assistance through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Read more.

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.

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

Registration is now open for the Dairy Experience Forum. Read more.


Calendar of Events

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

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
June 26 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

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