Farming in Northeast Iowa...
Farming in Northeast Iowa...
The Decorah area was founded on the fertile farmlands of early settlers. Although the agricutural industry has changed dramatically since those early days, our connection to the land and its importance to our economic vitality has not. Because topography has dictated the the necessity for smaller farms, the Decorah area has 2,650 active family farms and 137 dairy farms. In addition to traditional farming, the locally grown industry is growing rapidly with a push for sustainable living. It's all happening right here!
The Decorah area was founded on the fertile farmlands of early settlers. Although the agricutural industry has changed dramatically since those early days, our connection to the land and its importance to our economic vitality has not. Because topography has dictated the the necessity for smaller farms, the Decorah area has 2,650 active family farms and 137 dairy farms. In addition to traditional farming, the locally grown industry is growing rapidly with a push for sustainable living. It's all happening right here!
2012 Ag Scholarships Available
The DACC Ag Committee awards two $350 scholarships each year, one to a Winneshiek County High School Senior, and one to a NICC first year student studying agriculture and planning to complete a second year in an ag-related field. Completed applications are due on February 18, 2012.
High School Ag Scholarship 2012.pdf
click to download
NICC ag scholarship2012.pdf
click to download Friend in Ag Nominations
Each year the Ag Committee presents two Friend in Ag awards. An award will go to an individual and a business that has made a positive impact on the ag community. Nominations are sought by peers, colleagues, and friends. Fill out the attached form below and submit your nomination today!
Friend of Ag award appl.pdf
click to download Committee Programs
Stay Safe Take a Break
Harvest Season is upon us! On Friday, October 14 The Ag Committee will hit the road in Southeast Winneshiek County (east of Hwy 52 and south of Hwy 9) and stop every farm worker we find. 200 coolers will be distributed to area farmers. The coolers will be overflowing with items generously dontaed by local businesses. During harvest time, local farmers put in tremendous time in the fields so we take provisions out to them to encourage them to take a break from time to time.
Many local businesses donate items to fill the coolers. The program is a great way to take the business community out to the agriculture community.
Contact Kristina at the Chamber for more information.
Dairy Luncheon
Each June the DACC Celebrates Dairy Month by hosting a luncheon at a local dairy farm. Highlights include a picnic lunch and tours of the farms.The 2011 Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce June Dairy Luncheon took place on the breathtaking farmstead of the Duane Kuehner family on June 20th. The family farm, Three-Way LLC, is owned and operated by Duane and his two sons Randy and Marty. Duane has been on the farmstead since 1959. Today they have 1300 acres of corn, beans and alfalfa. They have 120 cows milked twice a day in a 1878 barn that was renovated in 1975. Kuehner's also raise antibiotic free hogs.
In 1998 the Kuehner family started estate planning. Ed Brown, EJ Brown and Associates, also spoke on the estate planning process along with Duane who spoke on the farming operation.
Pictured above are Ed Brown and Duane Kuehner.
Ag Appreciation Luncheon
The 10th Annual Ag Appreciation luncheon was held March 16, 2011 at the Danan Lasning Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. A record 270 guests were served Pork Chops-on-a-Stick, locally grown potatoes, locally made buns, cookies made by Winneshiek County 4-H'ers, and milk. Many local commodity groups and agri-businesses had displays featuring some of their work to impact local agriculture. Guest speaker, Sandra Ehrhardt, talked to the audience about their newly installed robotic milking system.
The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce also awarded two scholarships in the amount of $350 each. Danielle Fulsaas is the recipient of the 2011 Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Scholarship at the high school level. Danielle is a senior at Decorah High School, and is the daughter of Jerome and Jannelle Fulsaas. Chelsey Fagle is the recipient of the NICC Agriculture Student Scholarship. A first year student at NICC, Fagle is currently studying Agriculture Education.
Each year the Chamber seeks nominations for Friend in Ag Awards. Nominees are sought both on an individual level as well as business. Nominees must exhibit a commitment to local agriculture by serving on boards, actively farming, or demonstrating a passion for agriculture in other ways.
The 2011 Friend in Ag Individual Award was presented to Walter Langland. Langland has such a passion for agriculture that he has followed since he began farming with his brother in 1954.
The 2011 Friend in Agriculture Business Award was presented to Lang’s Dairy Equipment.
Lang’s Dairy began as a refrigeration business in 1949. Today it serves dairy farms in 25 Iowa counties, 5 Minnesota counties and 5 Wisconsin counties with a satellite store in Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Click the button below to see the full event press release.
The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce also awarded two scholarships in the amount of $350 each. Danielle Fulsaas is the recipient of the 2011 Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Scholarship at the high school level. Danielle is a senior at Decorah High School, and is the daughter of Jerome and Jannelle Fulsaas. Chelsey Fagle is the recipient of the NICC Agriculture Student Scholarship. A first year student at NICC, Fagle is currently studying Agriculture Education.
Each year the Chamber seeks nominations for Friend in Ag Awards. Nominees are sought both on an individual level as well as business. Nominees must exhibit a commitment to local agriculture by serving on boards, actively farming, or demonstrating a passion for agriculture in other ways.
The 2011 Friend in Ag Individual Award was presented to Walter Langland. Langland has such a passion for agriculture that he has followed since he began farming with his brother in 1954.
The 2011 Friend in Agriculture Business Award was presented to Lang’s Dairy Equipment.
Lang’s Dairy began as a refrigeration business in 1949. Today it serves dairy farms in 25 Iowa counties, 5 Minnesota counties and 5 Wisconsin counties with a satellite store in Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Click the button below to see the full event press release.
2011 Individual Friend in Ag Award Recipient Walter Langland. Pictured with Jess Rediske (left) and Kristina Falck (right.)
2011 Business Friend in Ag Award Recipinet Lang's Dairy Equipment. Pictured left to right are Jess REdiske, Kelly Lang, Bruce Hanson, Kristina Falck.
Member Businesses
Ag Committee
Ag Committee
Kyra Bellrichard
Norteast Iowa Community College
Eric Dietzenbach
Farm Credit Services of America
Lashelle Evans
Fidelity Bank
Jerome Fulsaas
Bank of the West
Bob Kane
Farm Credit Services of America
Dave Krieger
Decorah Bank & Trust
Steve Langland
Chris Miller
Northeast Security Bank
Kent Nelson
Nelson Dairy Consultants
Jess Rediske - Committee Chair
Viking State Bank & Trust
Duane Tlusty
Viking State Bank & Trust
Doug Van Sloten
Winneshiek Cooperative Association
Julie Vulk
Farm Service Agency
Norteast Iowa Community College
Eric Dietzenbach
Farm Credit Services of America
Lashelle Evans
Fidelity Bank
Jerome Fulsaas
Bank of the West
Bob Kane
Farm Credit Services of America
Dave Krieger
Decorah Bank & Trust
Steve Langland
Chris Miller
Northeast Security Bank
Kent Nelson
Nelson Dairy Consultants
Jess Rediske - Committee Chair
Viking State Bank & Trust
Duane Tlusty
Viking State Bank & Trust
Doug Van Sloten
Winneshiek Cooperative Association
Julie Vulk
Farm Service Agency