By Callie Greiner

This summer, Iowa State University’s Women in Ag program has partnered with county Extension programs across Iowa to host tours showcasing the diversity of agriculture in Iowa. The tours focus on five specific risk management topics: costs and benefits of production; safety of families and employees; impacts of changing regulation; storing and marketing farm products; and managing soil and water.

Each tour offers women the opportunity to connect and learn from other women in their county, as well as the tour hosts at each stop.

Palo Alto County tour
The Women in Ag program set out on its first tour in Palo Alto County on June 14. The tour included three stops beginning at Bode’s Moonlight Garden, followed by the Wirtz family farm and ending at the Poet ethanol plant. Although each business had its own set of challenges and risks, they all share one common risk, which is the quality of labor and employee safety. 

For example, the Bode family explained that they have trouble finding workers who have the right skill set needed to work in the labor-intensive operation.

Similarly, the Wirtz family has had trouble finding local workers, so they have instead turned to the immigrant workforce in search of sufficient labor to handle the needs of their large farm. Growing traditional crops using organic production methods, Jim Wirtz said the family employs around 60 immigrant workers seasonally, spending almost $600,000 on labor.

The Poet ethanol plant manager also stressed the importance of employee safety and explained the regulations the plant follows to ensure a safe environment for their employees.

Guthrie County tour
On June 15, the Women in Ag program traveled to Guthrie County for the second tour of the summer. It started at the diverse Early Morning Harvest Organic Farm followed by a stop at Lauritsen Cattle Co. The tour concluded with a visit to Veterinary Associates of Manning. Like the first tour, these businesses said their biggest risks were with labor and workforce safety.

Jeff Hafner at Early Morning Harvest explained it is a challenge to find individuals skilled enough to handle the milling equipment and carefully tend to the poultry and vegetables.

At Lauritsen Cattle Co., Clara Lauritsen explained the importance of having employees who can handle the intense yet tedious work involved in managing 5,000 head of cattle. Lauritsen Cattle is concerned about employee safety as well as animal health and safety.

The company provides a significant amount of safety training for employees, such as correct procedure for receiving, shipping and moving cattle. They also capture water runoff regularly to be measured and tested to ensure safety and acceptability standards are met.

At Veterinary Associates, the group toured the clinic and learned about safety procedures employees practice to ensure the best care is given to both large and small animals. Women on the tour also learned about a specialty service offered through a partnership of Veterinary Associates and Struve Labs. They have a specially designed surgical suite allowing for caesarian section pig deliveries in a sterile environment.

Hamilton County tour
On June 28, the Women in Ag program traveled to Hamilton County for the final June tour, making three scheduled stops throughout the day. The first stop was at the Boone River Ox Bows area, where the group had the opportunity to learn how the ox bow water quality practice helps manage excess water. The group received a handout created by Jamie Benning of Iowa State Extension explaining how the system “reconnects streams to their floodplains to provide water storage.”

This slower-moving water system helps reduce sediment load and nitrate load, as well as delays potential flooding.

Upon leaving the ox bow site, the group traveled to Lost Lake Farm, followed by a visit to Three Sisters Farm. Although both farms are unique, they both value diversification. Having diverse farms allows the owners to spread risk out across multiple business units. They believe having diverse farms help maintain soil and water quality.

Ranae Dietzel, co-owner of Lost Lake Farm, explained how they run their operation and make artisan cheese “based on regenerative and ecological farming practices.” They care for their soil and plants by keeping the soil covered always, and they choose not to spray any synthetic chemicals.

Upon leaving Lost Lake Farm, the group traveled to Three Sisters Farm, where Ortrude Dial, owner and manager of this farm, spoke with the group about the practices used on her farm to manage water quality. She explained that she chooses to use cover crops to reduce runoff and soil erosion.

The Women in Ag program offers three remaining tours on Aug. 1, Aug. 24 and Sept. 7. Women can register online.

Greiner is an ISU Extension summer intern. Contact her at [email protected].