NASHUA – Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach hosts Precision Ag and Animal Science Field Days for high school students enrolled in ag education courses. Students from northeast and north central area high schools, grades 9 -12, were invited to spend a day at the ISU Experimental Research Farm and Borlaug Learning Center near Nashua.
The farm is owned by the Northeast Iowa Experimental Association. Attending from Fayette County included West Central Ag class members Khloee Cannon, Kenny Kaufman, and Cullen Ingels. This class is taught by Ms. Ashley Mattke.
The day was filled with eleven school districts represented by 122 registered students, according to Kendra Crooks, 4-H Youth Specialist. The global purpose of the field days is to engage students in hands-on learning and create awareness of endless possibilities of careers right here in Northern Iowa. Youth with an education in animal science are qualified for a wide variety of challenging careers.
There are more than 500 different job classifications for animal science careers. Precision agriculture is continually being used more in farming. With the increasing availability of such mapping technologies as GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and GIS (Geographical Information Systems), precision agriculture technicians will install, operate, troubleshoot and repair precision agriculture systems. Technicians will also use the advanced processing software to collect, visualize and analyze data
ISU Extension and Outreach is building on existing partnerships with high schools, FFA chapters, homeschool families, colleges, businesses, and industries to offer these field days. The goal is to connect youth with local businesses and industry leaders, creating awareness of this fast-changing industry by providing information and resources on how to prepare for these careers.
The students learned from eight stations throughout the day. Event presenters included Iowa State University College of Agriculture faculty Maya Hayslett, Ellsworth Community College, ISU College of Vet Med and Poultry Farm, ISU Extension Agronomist, Edgewood Locker, Floyd Co Farm Bureau and 4-H staff.
Event sponsors/donors included Iowa 4-H Foundation, Bremer Co Farm Bureau, Butler Co. Farm Bureau, Floyd Co Farm Bureau, and Chickasaw Co Farm Bureau. Special thanks also to the Big 4 Fair board. This year’s sessions ranged from embryology, ag policy, soil conservation and cover crops, meat and locker systems, spraying equipment, bovine birthing simulator, SCN — agronomy, and intro to careers in the trade industry.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach puts the university’s research and resources to work throughout the state. Extension and Outreach is about people and education is our mission. We’re focused on feeding people, keeping them healthy, helping their communities to prosper and thrive, and turning the world over to the next generation in better shape than we found it.