The National Association of County Agricultural Agents, the national governing body that promotes the professional status of Extension agents and agriculture specialists, will hold its annual conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 13-17, 2023. This will be the first time Iowa has hosted the event.

The Iowa Agricultural Extension Association, the state branch of NACAA, made a successful bid to host nearly 1,000 attendees from across the country. Kapil Arora, bid coordinator for the Iowa association, gives credit for the selection to the efforts of the team members who delivered a comprehensive bid package, the team at Catch Des Moines, and a video produced by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Iowa is the top agricultural state in the country, and we have many claims to greatness. The teams involved in this bidding process did a fantastic job of helping us bring together state and university leaders, as well as our Extension ag agents to showcase the story of Iowa’s greatness,” Arora says.

Visitors learn about Iowa ag

As the host state organization, IAEA will be responsible for organizing preconference professional development tours, professional improvement seminars, and commercial and educational exhibits. Included in the bid were plans for conducting about 20 post-conference tours to allow attendees to learn different aspects of Iowa’s agriculture.

“In addition to having one central venue for the conference and meeting, with places to stay within walking distance, we were able to promote the international agriculture industries located in Iowa, as well as Des Moines area social events, restaurants, recreational opportunities and, of course, the Iowa State Fair,” Arora says.

The Iowa association has 101 Extension agriculture agents and specialist members as active or life members. They are ISU Extension and Outreach agents and specialists serving all 99 Iowa counties who connect Iowans with Iowa State University resources, research and education. Learn more about ISU Ag & Natural Resources Extension at extension.iastate.edu/ag.

Source: NACAA, which is responsible for information provided and is wholly owned by source. Informa Business Media and subsidiaries aren’t responsible for content in this information asset.