Hi, MariahBusta!

Just like that summer is drawing to a close and schools are gearing up for another year of learning. At Iowa’s Dairy Center, we’re preparing to welcome Northeast Iowa Community College students for the fall semester, which begins on Thursday. While it may look or feel a little different, we’re excited to have students back on campus, in the classroom and on the farm.

As your local schools begin classes again this fall, whether in-person or online, please know that Iowa’s Dairy Center is available to host virtual tours for any grade level. If you’d like to schedule a virtual learning opportunity, please contact me at info@iowadairycenter.com.

Wishing you a safe, healthy back to school season.

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Iowa’s Dairy Center Open for Guided Tours

After several months of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa’s Dairy Center is excited re-open for guided tours. Tours will be available to the public Monday-Friday by appointment only. New safety requirements, including wearing a face covering while indoors, can be found on our website. At this time, viewing areas will remain closed until further notice. We hope to see you soon!

Soil Health Webinar Available on YouTube

Did you miss our recent soil health webinar? No worries, you can watch it on YouTube. Neil Sass, Area Resource Soil Scientist with USDA-NRCS, shared what different plants can do for your soil and how it affects the long-term productivity potential. Tad Mueller, Agriculture Instructor at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), presented on the current applied research and crop management demonstrations happening at Iowa’s Dairy Center and NICC. These include projects on soil health, nitrogen management and diversified crop plantings. Check it out here.

Tri-State Dairy Expo to be Held Virtually

Even though this year’s Tri-State Dairy Expo won’t be in-person, the committee is working on providing virtual opportunities for area high school students. Faculty, staff and students at Iowa State University and NICC are working together to provide virtual content on how to judge dairy products and dairy cattle and will be available in September.

Artificial Insemination Class Scheduled for November

November 17-19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

This is a three-day hands-on class for those who wish to artificially inseminate their own cattle or gain experience to work for others. The class will cover all aspects of bovine reproduction, from anatomy and hormones to heat detection. Students have actual insemination practice on cattle at Iowa's Dairy Center. The minimum age requirement for this class is 16. The class is taught by Select Sires.

NICC News

Northeast Iowa Community College to Resume the Option of Face-to-Face Classes

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) plans to bring students, staff and faculty back to its campuses and service locations in a slow, safe and methodical way this fall. The College’s primary goal is to preserve a vibrant learning environment while keeping the college community safe.

NICC will continue to offer alternative learning options, such as online, hybrid and online synchronous learning formats. The plan is to resume the option of face-to-face classes starting the week of August 20. NICC will pivot from that option, if necessary, based on ever-changing safety recommendations. The hands-on portion of all Career and Technical Education courses will remain face-to-face. Read more.

Bruce Bearinger Named Dean of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Computer Technology

Bruce Bearinger of Oelwein has been selected as the new Dean of Agriculture, Animal Science and Business Technology at NICC. He is a State Representative and taught agriculture at the high school level for 17 years, worked as Education Director for the Iowa State Extension in Buchanan County and worked as the Economic Development Director for Oelwein Chamber and Area Development. Bearinger, who began his new position in June, is responsible for organizing and directing curriculum activities on and off campus as well as across the district.

Moody's Assigns Aa2 Rating to NICC’s Bonds and Certificates

Moody's Investors Service assigned a Aa2 rating to Northeast Iowa Community College’s $12.6 million General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2020 and $2.8 million Taxable Industrial New Jobs Training Certificates, Series 2020-1. Moody's maintains the Aa2 rating on $38 million of the College's outstanding general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) debt and $2.7 million of certificates of participation (COPs). Read more.

Dairy Profile: Craig & Flossie Morrison

Craig and Flossie Morrison of Cresco are long-time supporters of the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation and Iowa's Dairy Center. For many years, Craig was an active member of the Tri-State Dairy Expo Committee, serving 30 years as the secretary before retiring in 2016. The Morrisons will be inducted into the 2020 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 23. Read more.

Industry News

Millions of acres of Iowa corn, soybean crops heavily damaged by derecho, ag secretary says. Read more.

During times of natural disaster, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers educational resources to reduce the personal impact of natural disasters, working in partnership with the local, state and federal agencies addressing the disaster. Learn more.

In their latest podcast, Dairy Field Specialists Jenn Bentley and Fred Hall discuss the dairy outlook and milk marketing strategies moving forward. Listen.

Meghan Hettinga crowned 67^th Iowa Dairy Princess. Read more.

Calendar of Events

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

NICC Fall Semester Begins 
Aug. 20

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
Aug. 28 | 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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