TAKING THE LEAD
By DARCY DOUGHERTY
LOHRVILLE — Leadership has been called the art of being prepared. Matthew Hardy never shies away from taking the lead when questions arise about modern agriculture, whether he’s in Iowa or on the East Coast.
Hardy, who is the president of the FFA chapter at South Central Calhoun High School, thinks back to last July, when he was part of Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.
“When the Boys Nation vice president — a guy from Alabama — found out I was from Iowa, he said, ‘You guys grow a lot of corn, right? What do you do with all that corn?’”
Hardy pulled out his smartphone and showed his new friends harvest scenes from his family’s farm near Lohrville. Many of the guys were amazed by the size of the farm equipment — and they had plenty of questions.
“About 75% of the guys at Boys Nation have no ag background,” said Hardy, 18. “I like to advocate for ag when I have opportunities like this.”
He also appreciates his FFA
Pellett's FFA and farm background led to her pursuit of a career in ag
By KRISTIN DANLEY GREINER Farm News writer
ATLANTIC — As a college freshman at Iowa State, 18-yearold Callee Pellett splits her time between campus and corn fields.
The former FFA member loves being in Ames, but does go back home to help with peak farming operations during the busier times. Pellett happens to be the first female in her family’s operation to actively farm and represents the seventh generation to cultivate the earth. She’s double majoring in agronomy and agricultural entrepreneurship.
“The way our farm is set up, when you graduate high school, you go to college and earn a degree that will let you bring something back to benefit the farm. My dad and cousin minored in agronomy, but I always wanted to be an agronomist. So I plan to use the agronomy degree to work for a dealership and a little bit for the farm. The ag entrepreneurship degree has a big focus on accounting and marketing, which is something our farm as a whole needs to get better at and that I’ll be able to use to benefit our farm,” Pellett said.
Now in her second semester of college, Pellett said she loves college. She’s involved in a sorority and has made numerous friends. But she still returns home to the Atlantic area to help lend a hand.
“I didn’t ever want to be one of those kids who goes
“The way our farm is set up, when you graduate high school, you go to college and earn a degree that will let you bring something back to benefit the farm.”
CALLEE PELLETT
Former FFA member, ISU ag student
home every weekend but I did during harvest. I miss farming. Harvest is the highlight of my year,” Pellett said. “I also didn’t want to rack up a big bill on the farm for my share of the equipment costs and other expenses, so I do go home to work, which helps me pay down my bill there.”
Fourteen family members are involved in their operation, but only two are female — Pellett and her mom. But Pellett is the only female who is hands-on farming. Her senior year of high school, she logged more than 100 hours in the field.
While all family members farm together, they each own their own chunk of ground but share the equipment. Each family member is then billed for equipment use at planting and harvest. The hours spent in the field earn a family member
Matthew Hardy leverages his FFA experiences
experiences to prepare him for new opportunities, from Boys Nation (where he was elected secretary of agriculture) to the American Legion’s Boys State program in Iowa, where he was elected governor this past summer.
Hardy is currently serving as a page at the state capitol in Des Moines. He works with Rep. Pat Grassley, speaker of the Iowa House. Each year the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives employ ambitious high school juniors and seniors of high academic standing to serve as pages for the legislative session. Pages learn the inside workings of government and lawmaking, while participating in the timehonored tradition of public service.
All this builds on the lessons Hardy has learned through FFA, which helps students develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. More than 20,000 students participate in 270 local FFA chapters across Iowa, according to the Iowa FFA Association.
Hardy has maximized his FFA experiences, from participating in speech contests (including prepared public speaking events and extemporaneous speaking)
to competing at the state level in conduct-of-meetings events.
“FFA does a great job of preparing you for the real world,” he said.
Maximizing a week that shapes a lifetime
For Hardy, the real world includes his family’s Century Farm in Union Township in Calhoun County.
FFA is also a long-time tradition in the Hardy family. Hardy is following in the footsteps of his father, Mike, and his uncles and aunts, who were members of the Southern Cal High School FFA in the 1990s.
Along with his involvement in FFA, Hardy is also a longtime 4-H member. Both organizations have taught him the value of teamwork and community service, which includes delivering care packages to farmers during harvest.
All these life skills have motivated Hardy to set big goals and accomplish them. This came into focus this past summer at Boys State, which was held at Camp Dodge in Johnston. This week-long, hands-on civics leadership experience is designed to help
See PELLETT, Page 3C
-Submitted photo
CALLEE PELLETT, an 18-year-old freshman at Iowa State University, enjoys splitting her time between school and helping on the family farm. She plans to eventually bring back her college and work experience to contribute to the family farm operation.
MATTHEW HARDY, of rural Lohrville, is president of the FFA chapter at South Central Calhoun High School. His FFA experience has led to several leadership opportunities. He is currently serving as a page at the state capitol in Des Moines.
MAULSBY Farm News writer
A HANDS-ON CLASSROOM
Career Ag Academy to build productive workers, citizens
By LORI BERGLUND Farm News writer
that job has a strong connection to agriculture.
Bankers lend to farmers, and need to know the ins and outs of agriculture. Retailers sell everything from boots to combines to farmers. Folks behind the meat counter help us select the best pork loin from the case. High school teachers, university professors, and researchers also make a good living from agriculture.
The Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers estimates that nearly one in five Iowans has a job today because of agriculture.
between the Hamilton County Fair Board and Webster City Community School District. Goalsetting and planning sessions began as early as 2004.
In the long run-up to construction, the plan has been revised along the way. It will now serve the vocational agriculture program at Webster City High School with both classrooms and live animal areas, as well as a meat lab, including a meat cooler.
It would also be available if other schools, colleges, or businesses wish to utilize both the classroom and animal areas.
“Ag teachers have told us that one of the biggest challenges they face is that urban kids are not exposed to farm animals.”
GENE GOURLEY, Board president, Career Ag Academy
More than 385,000 Iowans work in agriculture, with approximately 44 percent of those working in some form of animal agriculture.
Those numbers, and the need to fill those jobs for the future are the driving reasons behind the new Career Ag Academy set to open in the 2025-2026 school year in Webster City.
“It’s extremely important” to prepare and draw more students into ag-related fields, said Gene Gourley, board president with the Career Ag Academy. He envisions a learning environment where students who have little connection to the farm can learn more about the role of agriculture in Iowa and the nation’s economy. Students will gain hands-on experience with animal agriculture and related fields throughout agriculture.
The project is a joint venture
Built on the present site of Floral Hall at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, the 50-foot-by-90foot metal building will feature two classrooms with walls that can be removed to create one, large multipurpose room. That room may also be available for community use. There will also be modern restroom and shower facilities in both the classroom and livestock areas. The fact that the fairgrounds is already zoned for agriculture made the site ideal for a new livestock classroom.
“Ag teachers have told us that one of the biggest challenges they face is that urban kids are not exposed to farm animals,” Gourley said. “They don’t know how to work them, or how to handle them. I can show them pictures of animals, but with today’s biosecurity, you just can’t take kids out to the farm anymore.”
The task of creating a curriculum for the Career Ag Academy falls largely to Kurt Veldhuizen, long-time vocag teacher and FFA advisor at
Webster City High School. The school has also bumped up its voc-ag staff considerably to help with the course-load.
“The current plan is that at the start of the school year, the fall of 2025, we will be having classes out there,” Veldhuizen.
Construction is set to begin this spring and the building is slated to be open and ready for use by the fair board in July. While that’s an ambitious construction schedule, Veldhuizen said confidence is high that it will be ready to go.
“Of course, like any building project you never know 100 percent, but we’re very optimistic,” Veldhuizen said.
Once open, the curriculum will span several academic levels, with even some dual college credit available in at least one course. While freshman classes will still be held at the high school, beginning at the sophomore level all classes will be at the new Career Ag Academy.
“We will have the ninthgraders out there about once a month doing labs and field work,” Veldhuizen said.
Even younger middle school and elementary students will occasionally be invited out for field trips. It’s easy to envision younger students enjoying a late
spring day at the fairgrounds, seeing the animals at the Career Ag Academy, and using the horticulture and landscape of the fairgrounds as an all-day learning experience.
Beginning at the sophomore level, all animal science classes will be held at the Career Ag Academy.
“In Vet Science I, we focus on learning about the body systems of animals, reproductive systems, digestive systems,” Veldhuizen said. “In Vet Science II we learn about caring for animals, nutrition, disease, and how to treat animals.”
“Survey the Animal Industry” is a junior level course offered as dual credit with Iowa Central Community College.
“This course even transfers to Iowa State for an animal science credit,” Veldhuizen said.
The spring semester companion to this class is a course that focuses on meat science.
“We will have classroom capabilities to study more of the meat sciences,” he said. “We have several local employers in this area, and we want to help kids understand where the careers are at, and the work needed to provide protein products for an ever-growing world.”
It’s not just about putting a great cut of meat on the grill, it’s really about feeding people in Iowa and throughout the world.
“Food insecurity is already a growing issue,” Veldhuizen said. At the senior level, students will explore Advanced Animal Production I and II, and the handson work picks up in intensity for the students who have progressed in their knowledge through the underclassmen courses.
“These kids will be in charge of the animals in the facility,” Veldhuizen said. “I envision working with Gene Gourley in having kids learn about the science of doing feed trials — how does feed intake relate to growth rate.”
Responsibility, both in the workplace, and in the care of another living creature is another important aspect of these upper level classes.
“The students will be in charge every day of making sure animals are fed, watered, and housed appropriately.”
While these may be animal science classes, students will have to use skills throughout the broader curriculum. They will be writing reports using language
ACADEMY, Page 3C
-Farm News photo by Lori Berglund
FLORAL HALL at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds will be coming down early this year to make room for the new Career Ag Academy at the fairgrounds. The building will be a classroom and lab for students, and will also be available for fair and public use. Younger students are also expected to enjoy field trips here.
See
Ag teaching staff grows rapidly at Webster City High School
By LORI BERGLUND Farm News writer
EBSTER CITY —
WIt was the entire purpose of the Morrill Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 — practical education focused on agriculture, mechanical arts, and home economics. It is “Science with Practice,” as Iowa State University, which came into being as a result of the Morrill Act, has long proclaimed.
But practical education needs to start long before the university level. With vocational education, high schools begin the process of preparing students for work.
Webster City High School is in the midst of a rededication to the principle of providing practical education that helps prepare students for a lifetime of work — from welders to farmers, bankers to lawyers.
“We need students that will come to the labor force with skills and knowledge, and a good work ethic,” said Kurt Veldhuizen, voc-ag instructor, who also works heavily with Career Technical Experience (CTE) at WCHS.
Veldhuizen’s department has grown rapidly this year, with the addition of three new agriculture teachers since the beginning of the school year.
Taylor Adams, a 2023
Academy
graduate of Iowa State, joined the department at the beginning of the year. She is teaching subjects ranging from Introduction to Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Science, and Greenhouse Management.
“We also have a crop production class that is dual credit with Iowa Central,” she said.
Adams is a co-advisor for the Webster City FFA Chapter, along with Veldhuizen. She has been working this winter with the freshman students preparing for FFA contests in conduct of meetings and creed speaking. In these areas, students learn parliamentary procedure, public speaking, as well as working together as a team.
“The students have grown so much and we are all learning together,” Adams said.
Still in the midst of her first year of teaching, Adams has been impressed with the level of school and community support in Webster City.
“It’s cool to see a program grow so much in less than a year,” she said. “We have great support from the community and administrators. I really enjoy the students and staff here.”
Two additional teachers joined the department in January. Due to contract restrictions, they are teachers-only and are not FFA advisors at this time.
Zach Brecht is the ag shop
Continued from Page 2C
and communication skills.
They will have plenty of experience with math and science as they conduct feed trials and learn about anatomy and biology.
“Honestly, I think this is going to hit any career, just from the standpoint they will have so much responsibility,” Veldhuizen said.
“This is about learning responsibility, respect, problem-solving, and those are skills that anyone has to have out there in
whatever career they follow ... You’re a much more valuable lawyer or banker if you understand the industry that your clients are in.”
To Gourley, it’s about building good citizens, regardless of the career path they eventually follow.
“Our mission has always been, how can we give the best educational experience to kids,” he said. “We are trying to develop good citizens for the community. That’s the whole idea.”
Pellett
THE TEAM OF AGRICULTURE TEACHERS has more than doubled in the last year at Webster City High School, growing from one teacher to four teachers. From left are Zach Brecht, who joined the department in January 2025; Taylor Adams, who started in August 2024; long-time teacher Kurt Velduizen; and Alyson McCarty, who joined the department in January 2025.
specialist. His classes range from ag power and technology, ag equipment maintenance, small gas engines, ag metals, welding, metal fabrication, ag electrical, and ag plumbing.
Alyson McCarty also joined the staff in January and is focused on ag business, sales, natural resources, and woods specialist. Her coursework ranges from natural resources,
Continued from Page 1C
credit that is applied toward their equipment bill. Women in agriculture, especially females who are hands-on farmers, are growing in number. Pellett said she wasn’t athletic as a kid, which was more her brother’s jam. But agriculture spoke to her.
“I needed to find my thing and farming allowed me to spend a lot of time with my dad, especially when I was younger. He farmed full time and worked for the dealership full time,” Pellett said. “Growing up in agriculture is a great industry to be raised in. I want to stay in it and give
ag woodworking, ag business, ag systems technology, risk management, landscaping and turfgrass management.
“We really envision being back to full CTE and having all these options that match up to a student’s career interest,” Veldhuizen said. “I would like to start a Lynx Career Internship program, not to replace courses that students take, but to match
back.”
Pellett and her dad, Mike, raise crops, and although she showed cattle in high school for FFA, she believes there’s room to grow the cattle operation at the family farm. Her mom, Stacey, called her a daddy’s girl and recognized her daughter’s dedication to agriculture.
In fact, at the age of 15, Pellett signed her first lease for a piece of ground — the same one her dad leased when he started farming years ago. The 20-acre parcel belongs solely to Pellett. She decides what to plant, determines what her fields and
them up with local business mentors to help get them started with real-world career experience.”
Veldhuizen also pointed to two other very important CTE departments, including Business, and Family and Consumer Science (FCS) studies.
“Sandy Alne is a secondyear teacher and she teaches in our business department,” Veldhuizen said.
Business classes range from accounting to entrepreneurship and much more. Family and Consumer Science is another important area, but even after offering special incentives, Webster City High School was unable to fill the position for the current school year.
“Sadly, this school year we were unable to find an FCS teacher, but we are actively looking,” Veldhuizen said.
“Hopefully, in the 2025-26 school year we will be back to full strength.”
Family and Consumer Science covers everything from cooking, an always important skill that is increasingly overlooked, as well as such things as interior design, child care, and much more.
Honest Abe, who found time to sign the Morrill Act even in the midst of the Civil War, would likely have approved of this continuing adoption of the principals of the Morrill Act — Science with Practice — and building good citizens prepared for a world of ever-changing career options.
farm ground need for nutrients and pest control, applies anhydrous and harvests.
She does rely on her dad’s expertise and input, however.
After she graduates, Pellett doesn’t plan to return to the farm full-time immediately. She will head out on her own, pave her own path, then return to the family operation.
“My cousin just recently moved to the farm after working in South Dakota for four years at Poet,” Pellett said. “He worked for others and got more experience that he could bring back to the family farm.”
-Farm News photo by Lori Berglund
THREE YEARS YOUNG ... AND GROWING
Central Springs FFA members are making their mark
By CLAYTON RYE Farm News writer
The
where Worth, Cerro Gordo, and Floyd counties meet. The high school and elementary school is at Manly and the middle school is at Nora Springs. Enrollment in 2022-2023 was 813 students.
At the time of the merger, neither school had an ag education curriculum. North Central discontinued their ag education in the 1960s and Nora Springs never had one.
That changed a few years ago when a group of parents approached the school board with the idea of having an ag education program and FFA chapter as part of the school curriculum. The school board was open to the idea and said the group first needed to raise the necessary funds to start the program. That was the beginning of the Central Springs Ag Education Committee, which used grants and fundraising to reach their goal.
Derek Straube, age 41 and in his 18th year of teaching, is the ag education instructor and FFA advisor for the Central Springs FFA. Straube was already employed as a teacher at Central Springs High School where he was the instructor in family and consumer science courses and a single class in agriculture. Previously, he was a teacher at Forest City in the ag education and FFA program there.
“The community did a lot of leg work to raise a substantial
amount of money,” said Straube.
Once the financial goal was reached, the necessary paperwork was completed and Central Springs FFA has been in existence for the past three years.
According to Straube, the FFA program currently has 82 high school students enrolled plus six FFA members who, although they’ve graduated from high school, can continue as FFA members, working on projects and participating in FFA competitive events.
Two students transferred into the Central Springs High School from the Mason City school system so they could enroll in the ag education program, as the Mason City school does not offer one.
Predictably, a person would expect that agriculture and farming is dominant in the Central Springs School District and would have a strong rural presence as the communities it
serves of Manly, Nora Springs, Hanlontown, and Rock Falls are not large in size.
However, despite being a largely rural school district, Straube estimates that a majority of the students enrolled in the ag education program do not live on a farm.
In the Central Springs FFA chapter, eight females and one male serve as officers.
When asked about their plans after high school, most planned on college. Then after their education, the career choices varied widely.
Khloe Kruger, a senior and chapter president, plans on enrolling at NIACC, the junior college in Mason City. She was a 4-H member and participated in showing pigs.
Madison Edwards, a senior and chapter secretary, plans to enroll at Northwestern College in Orange City, then at a seminary with the goal of
becoming a Lutheran pastor. She has participated in an FFA speaking competition as an extemporaneous speaker.
Claire Rye, a senior and the chapter parliamentarian, plans on attending William Penn College next fall, studying biology and environmental science to become an officer in the DNR.
Cordell Hoeft, a junior and chapter vice president, is planning to enroll at NIACC in the diesel tech program. He has shown dairy cattle and participated in agronomy events.
Emma Nachazel, a junior and chapter reporter, plans on going to college to study farm management and animal science.
Zaila Dahlstrom, a junior and chapter reporter, will start at NIACC, with plans to study medicine, eventually becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Charlene Prazak, a junior and chapter sentinel, plans on joining the military and then studying
psychology.
Emmy Molstad, a junior and chapter historian, is planning on enrolling at NIACC and then furthering her education either in business or medicine to become a nurse.
Ady Petersen, a sophomore and chapter treasurer, was the chapter’s FFA creed speaker and competed at the state level event. She has been active in 4-H, showing hogs, beef cattle, and poultry. After high school she plans to go to college to study animal science and then veterinarian school to become a large animal veterinarian.
In addition to receiving an education, the Central Springs FFA members are active in the community. The Central Springs FFA officers take pride in being able to serve outside the classroom.
Each fall and spring, an ag safety event is held, rotating among Worth, Floyd, and Cerro Gordo counties. The purpose is to teach farm safety to third- and fourth-graders. It is a hands-on event with demonstrations on being careful around machinery and the care and handling of livestock, with the students able to see and touch farm animals. First responders are also part of the safety event.
Another favorite activity of the FFA chapter is teacher appreciation day when the ag education students prepare breakfast for the school faculty one morning.
This January, the FFA members met with the state senators in Des Moines to advocate for agriculture and FFA.
The Central Springs FFA chapter officers meet every Friday morning to conduct a brainstorming session with instructor Straube and make plans to build the chapter.
There is a strong sense of camaraderie among the chapter’s officers.
“We’re not strangers,” said Hoeft.
-Farm News photo by Clayton Rye
THE CENTRAL SPRINGS FFA CHAPTER OFFICERS, seated, from left to right, are reporter Zaila Dahlstrom, reporter Emma Nachazel, vice president Cordell Hoeft, president Khloe Kruger, and sentinel Charlene Prazak. Standing, left to right, are treasurer Ady Petersen, historian Emmy Molstad, parliamentarian Claire Rye, and secretary Madison Edwards.
high school boys learn more about American government. Participants are sponsored through their community’s local American Legion post.
“There’s a Nationalist Party and a Federalist Party at Boys State, which includes four mock counties and eight cities,” said Hardy, a Federalist who decided early on to run for governor of Boys State.
About 250 boys participated in the 2024 session of Boys State in late June. With his catchy campaign slogan of “Life’s a Party, Vote for Hardy,” this high school senior worked hard to talk with as many Boys State participants as he could.
“It’s important to get to know people on a personal level and find out what’s important to them,” he said.
After being elected governor (“I won the vote by 4%,” Hardy said), it was time to get to work. Hardy selected his cabinet members and signed (or vetoed) bills that reached his desk. He also had to lead Boys State when a mock flood hit Johnson County.
Many students say they learn more in one week at Boys State than they would in a semester of high school civics. In addition, Boys State participants have opportunities to win
scholarships and earn college credit to applicable schools.
Following the conclusion of Boys State 2024, Hardy had the opportunity to represent Iowa at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. in mid-July 2024. While 14,000 young men attend Boys State events in their home states across America, only 100 are selected to participate in Boys Nation. These elite young leaders receive an indepth education on the structure and function of the federal government.
Each delegate acts as a senator from his Boys State.
The young lawmakers caucus at the beginning of the session, then organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills submitted by program delegates.
Senators learn the proper method of handling bills, according to U.S. Senate rules. Participation in the political process is emphasized throughout the week, including organization of party conventions and nominating and electing a president and vice president.
The week of government training also includes lectures, forums and visits to federal agencies, national shrines, memorials and historical sites.
On Capitol Hill, Boys Nation senators meet with elected
secretary of agriculture at Boys Nation. “You only get one shot with these things, so make it count.”
Dreams take flight
Hardy knows how to make things count. Along with his leadership experiences and his FFA activities, he has also found time to become a licensed pilot. This fall, he plans to major in aviation with a minor in professional flight at Mankato State University in southern Minnesota. His goal is to become a commercial pilot.
“I’ve always been interested in airplanes and flight,” said Hardy, who became a licensed pilot about six months after he began his training at the airport in Carroll.
Hardy flies a Piper Archer, a 180-horsepower, four-seater plane.
officials from their home states.
“We got a private tour of the White House and the Pentagon, along with a tour of the Capitol at night,” said Hardy, who ran for president of Boys Nation.
Since Boys Nation began in 1946, a number of its graduates have been elected to public office, including presidents, congressmen, state governors and state legislators. Many others have been inspired to work for the campaigns of candidates seeking public office.
“Whether you’re talking about Boys State or Boys Nation, it’s a week that shapes a lifetime,” said Hardy, who proposed the creation of National Farmers Week during his tenure as
“I like the freedom and like to go fast,” said Hardy, who has flown as far away as Dubuque. No matter where his adventures or his career path take him, Hardy plans to maintain close ties to his family’s Century Farm. “I want to make sure the family farm stays in our family.”
West Fork FFA advisor Kaitlyn Porter receives Leadership Award SHARING HER PASSION FOR AG
By DARCY DOUGHERTY MAULSBY Farm News writer
Sshe wanted to be a teacher — a decision that continues to enrich the lives of hundreds of ag students and FFA members.
“FFA offers a sense of community,” said Porter, 32, the ag instructor and FFA advisor at West Fork High School in Sheffield. “One of the greatest things about FFA, and especially Iowa FFA, are the partnerships they have with ag industry leaders. These partnerships often lead to advancements in leadership skills, career development and networking.”
FFA also offers plenty of hands-on learning opportunities. The West Fork FFA, for example, has a six-acre test plot. In 2024, the plot was planted to sorghum to be harvested for cattle feed. The test plot gives students the opportunity to learn agronomy, technology, data analysis and crop marketing.
The West Fork FFA also has access to a barn on the north edge of Sheffield, not far from the headquarters of Sukup Manufacturing. This classic barn, which is more than a century old, serves as West Fork’s Animal Learning Center. It provides realworld, supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) for members of the West Fork FFA who live in town and are interested in raising livestock.
“We currently have a student who utilizes the barn for his laying flock, and we’re excited to see what other opportunities we can put out there,” said Porter, who noted that the barn is owned by the Sukup family, who leases the facility, along with a land
lab, for students to learn about production agriculture. “In the past, we’ve farrowed sows and raised feeder hogs in the barn.”
In addition to overseeing these projects, Porter has taught an ag leadership course. These lessons have equipped students to be better proponents of the ag industry, from discussions with neighbors to legislators.
As a cattle farmer and a Franklin County Farm Bureau board member, Porter practices what she preaches. In recent years, she has met with legislators to promote laws that
-Submitted photo
LEFT: Kaitlyn's husband, Kyle, was a farmer and dedicated Simmental cattle enthusiast who died in a farming accident in 2020. The foundation established in his name helps support the next generation of farmers. The couple is pictured here with their dog Paisley.
would alleviate livestock tax burdens on beginning farmers — legislation that went into effect in 2024.
Supporting the next generation of ag professionals is important to Porter, who received an Iowa Farm Bureau Leadership Award in 2024.
“We’re seeing a larger shift of non-farm kids joining FFA. Our organization has done a fantastic job facilitating conversations and making those connections with students who are passionate about advocating for agriculture, even if they aren’t directly tied to production agriculture.”
Combining a passion for agriculture, teaching Connecting more people with agriculture is a passion for Porter. She credits her own ag teacher, Ron Zelle, for inspiring her career path in ag education when she was growing up in northeast Iowa.
“The one thing that stood out to me about Mr. Zelle was his ability to read his students and push them in different ways that were well suited and personalized to them,” said Porter, who graduated from Nashua-Plainfield High School in 2010. “He opened a lot of doors to opportunities I might
not have taken or sought out on my own. I could always ask him questions. In return, I’d get a question back, which really changed the way I thought about things.”
After earning her bachelor’s of science degree in agricultural education and life sciences from Iowa State University in 2014, Porter began teaching at North Union High School in Armstrong. She accepted an ag education job at West Fork High School in 2016. She also continued her education, earning her master’s of science degree from ISU in 2019.
Along the way, Porter has helped the local FFA chapter grow. The West Fork FFA chapter currently has around 45 members.
Volunteers are also essential to the success of any FFA chapter, Porter added. “Just because your FFA journey ends doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to stay involved. Our organization runs the majority of the time on volunteer power. Teachers are always looking for resources to use in their classrooms and to take students out to workplaces and working farms. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your local FFA advisors to see what they may need help with.”
Serving others keeps agriculture strong Giving back is important to Porter, who raises cattle and sells direct-to-consumer beef through Finesse Livestock Enterprises. She’s also a champion of the Kyle Porter Foundation, which was established to honor the life of her late husband, Kyle, who passed away in a farming accident in July 2020.
“If you knew Kyle, it was hard to not love him,” said Porter, who married Kyle in December 2019.
Kyle was a farmer and
See PORTER, Page 7C
-Photo courtesy of Iowa Farm Bureau
ABOVE: Kaitlyn Porter is an FFA advisor for the West Fork FFA chapter at Sheffield. She received the Iowa Farm Bureau Leadership Award in 2024.
Porter Continued from Page 6C
dedicated Simmental cattle enthusiast. The foundation established in his name helps support the next generation of farmers. “We want to give back to the same areas Kyle was passionate about, including livestock and getting youth involved in agriculture,” Porter said.
The Kyle Porter Foundation also promotes the values that Kyle embraced, including integrity and a relentless commitment to excellence. This led to the creation of the Kyle Porter Memorial Show. The most recent cattle show was held in Iowa Falls in December 2024.
“We’re also thrilled to announce this year will be the first official round of scholarship applications for students pursuing a career in agriculture,” Porter said. “While Kyle’s life was cut short, his legacy continues to inspire and impact the communities he loved.”
A willingness to serve the community is something Porter strives to instill in her students.
“I definitely believe that leading by example is the way to get those around you to follow suit, ” she said. “It can be as simple as opening the door for someone — a small task that often goes unnoticed but is still important.”
This spirit of service is also reflected in bigger projects that require teamwork.
“This year we were able to donate Christmas meals through the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation,” said Porter, who is an active volunteer in the local community, as well as Franklin County and beyond. “The more my students see me out and about doing things to give back to my community, they’ll realize they have that ability, as well.”
Through her roles as an ag teacher and an FFA advisor, Porter also strives to help all her students harness their individual strengths, develop their communication and leadership skills and find their unique place in the ag industry. “The future of agriculture is so bright, and it’s going to start with those students in my classroom and in FFA,” she said. “In such a fast-changing industry, it’s exciting to be able to offer opportunities for students to learn about and pursue careers in agriculture.”
Broad Spectrum Disease
General information: BioEmpruv is a biological fermentation extract containing a host of di erent substances that accomplish numerous actions within a corn plant.
BioEmpruv contains biologically derived extracts, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, natural growth regulators and simulators, antioxidants, amino acids and bases and more. It also contains natural phytoalexins to boost the corn plants’ immune system and to increase the resistance to disease and pathogens as well as to environmental stresses. BioEmpruv contains natural and biodegradable ingredients. No chemicals or residues. BioEmpruv will be your best line of defense against Goss’s Wilt and other bacterial leaf diseases. Curative & very systemic. Much wider application window. Developed by PhD biochemist Dr Awada, Logan, UT. Bio-Empruv
* Commercially applied to spuds, sweet and eld corn since 2014. It has increased corn yields from 10-90 Bu/A, depending on application timing and infection rate. Keeps plants green and lling until natural maturity (BL) is reached. Drydown with normal senescent plants let the healthy ears dry faster and earlier than corn and grain from a die down plant.
Foliar Application
• Produces a systemic e ect in the plant. For best result apply 8 oz at V6 to VS and 24 oz at V12 to V14 before the plants get too tall. Apply along with a high quality surfactant like Argosy at 1 qt/100 gals to prevent wash-o and prolong e ect. 2.5 to 3 months activity.
• Compatible with most pesticides and can be applied with other fertilizers, minerals, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides. Always refer to the other products’ labels for compatibility and do a jar test. Can be mixed with a fungicide, herbicide, mineral or insecticide if needed. BE acts against fungal & plus bacterial leaf diseases. Safe to humans
• If applying thru a center pivot, set the gallonage per acre at .1” to prevent wash o .
• Apply late season to an unhealthy corn crop for faster recovery. Can be applied through electric drive or other pivots set to apply .1 to .2” of water. It can also be applied aerially or with a ground rig. Thermographic imaging showed it stopped an infection within three days. Mix with 2 oz of Albion’s AA chelated Cu and Mn for Tar Spot. 2 years of trials in a heavy Tar Spot area near Monroe, Wis veri ed this. Completely safe to humans with a with a vanilla odor.
