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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Leadership Washington explores local ag community
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Chamber of Commerce Leadership Washington program hosted its Agriculture Day on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, providing local business professionals with an immersive, full-day experience looking into Washington County’s diverse agricultural industry. The event began at Dallmeyer Hall at the Washington County Extension Office, with attendees traveling by bus to various farms and agricultural businesses throughout the county.
This year’s Agriculture Day is dedicated to the memory of Nancy Adrian and Sheryl Lewis, longtime coordinators of the event and passionate advocates for agricultural education in Washington County.
Participants gained firsthand insight into key sectors of the local agricultural industry, including turkey, sheep, beef, pork, and grain farming, as well as agricultural equipment sales. Farmers and industry experts shared their knowledge, allowing attendees to experience the operations up close.
The day started at the Washington County Fairgrounds, where Amy Green of ISU Extension will welcome participants with a biosecurity demonstration, emphasizing its importance in modern agriculture.
Key highlights of the day included:
- Ty Rinner, a Washington County turkey farmer and Iowa Turkey Federation Board member, shared insights into turkey farming, guiding attendees through the life cycle of turkeys on his farm.
- Premier One Supplies hosted a visit to their sheep and goat barns, where participants can interact with baby animals and witness a sheep herding demonstration by farm dogs.
- Dan Berdo, a local beef producer, showcased his cattle operation, discussing herd management, feed rations, and the journey of beef from farm-to-table.
- A farm-to-table lunch provided by Illa Miller, sponsored by Washington County Farm Bureau, featuring guest speakers Brandon Bishop (Washington County Farm Bureau Representative), Kurt Dallmeyer (Washington County Fair Board Representative) and Iowa Corn Growers.
- At Eichelberger Farms, Jason Christenson offered an in-depth look at pork production, covering topics from pig care and nutrition to the sustainability of hog farms.
- Sinclair Tractor gave a tour of their facility, allowing participants to see equipment repairs in action, walk through the parts department, and sit in a John Deere combine to learn about modern farm machinery.
- Jim Cuddeback, a multi-generation grain farmer, closed the day with a discussion on corn and soybean production, tiling, and the seasonal work required to grow row crops in Iowa.
Agriculture Day is a valuable opportunity for local leaders to develop a deeper understanding of Washington County’s agricultural industry, which plays a critical role in the local and state economy.
