Hi, MariahBusta!

Last week we did something that we haven’t done in months; we met in-person for our monthly Operations Committee and Board of Directors meetings. A classroom that could normally seat 70 was arranged to fit 15 to ensure social distancing. Previously, these meetings were happening through Zoom, a videoconferencing platform. While it felt unusual meeting face-to-face again, it was nice to see everyone and catch up, plus the spirits were high which resulted in productive meetings. It’s something about comradery that can’t always be reciprocated through a computer screen. Our June Board of Directors meeting marked the first meeting where our new board members representing Iowa agriculture organizations joined us. The change in our board seating structure was made at the 2020 annual meeting but we waited to bring new board members on until we met in-person again. It was exciting to see more diversity around the table as we look to expand our focus beyond dairy. I have a feeling good things are to come!

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

More than 300 attend Dairy Drive-Thru ScAGvenger Hunt

After a rainy week, the weather was in our favor as more than 300 people attended the Dairy Drive-Thru ScAGvenger Hunt at Iowa’s Dairy Center on Saturday afternoon. Visitors enjoyed driving near or through some of the barns, including the beef barn, calf barn and free stall barn. Throughout the driving tour, visitors looked for scAGvenger hunt items such as a calf bottle, corn stalk bale and back scratchers. At the end, Moo Mobile milkshakes were served right to their vehicle. Special thanks to the Winneshiek County Dairy Promoters and Midwest Dairy for sponsoring this event.

Iowa's Dairy Center Receives Production Awards

The Winneshiek County DHI has announced the winners of local dairy producer excellence in milk production and quality awards. The Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation was recognized with awards for Top Individual Cows for 2019 by Breed:

• Ayrshire: Ruby – 23,407 lbs. Milk, 1,057 lbs. Fat, 703 lbs. Protein
• Jersey: Moo – 30,167 lbs. Milk, 983 lbs. Protein
• Jersey: Iowish – 1,423 lbs. Fat

Congratulations to the farm management team consisting of Gary Lien and Jon Meyer on a job well done!

Celebrate June Dairy Month with Dairy News & Views from ISU Podcast

June is National Dairy Month! Iowa’s Dairy Center Coordinator Mariah Busta was recently featured on the ISU Extension Dairy Team’s podcast focused on celebrating June Dairy Month in Iowa. Give this episode and others a listen here.

World Dairy Expo Bus Trip Cancelled

Earlier this month World Dairy Expo made the announcement that the 2020 expo has been cancelled due to COVID-19. As a result, the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation’s annual bus trip to World Dairy Expo has been cancelled. Be sure to read our e-newsletter for details regarding the 2021 trip.

NICC News

Northeast Iowa Community College and USDA-NRCS Partner to Advance Agricultural Innovation

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and eight additional colleges in the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement will receive $529,924.48 over the course of the next four years as part of a cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). Read more.

Last-Dollar Scholarship Available for Iowa Residents

Iowa residents interested in agriculture programs at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) are encouraged to apply for the Last Dollar Scholarship. Qualified applicants are eligible to complete select programs for zero tuition. Check out eligible programs and requirements here.

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: Tim Huhe

Tim Huhe, dairy farmer and President of the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation, was recently featured in Iowa Farmer Today along with his daughter Jennifer. The Huhes milk 360 cows on their dairy farm near Cresco and shared the challenges the dairy industry has faced the last five years. “Hopefully the good years come back. You think about the moves you make and trust that the people you are working with are giving you good solid advice,” said Tim. Read more.

Industry News

Iowa State Fair to host ‘special edition’ for FFA and 4H members. Read more.

World Dairy Expo cancelled first time in 53-year history. Read more.

Farm Progress Show set for September in Boone canceled due to coronavirus surge. Read more.

Local dairy production awards are announced. Read more.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team offers COVID-19 resources. 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
July 24 | 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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