The Washington Chamber of Commerce Leadership Washington program hosted Agriculture Day on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, offering local business professionals an immersive, full-day experience exploring 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 was 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 agricultural sectors, including turkey, sheep, beef, pork, and grain farming, as well as agricultural equipment sales. Farmers and industry experts provided in-depth knowledge, giving attendees a close-up look at local agricultural operations.
Key Highlights of Agriculture Day:
- The event began at the Washington County Fairgrounds, where Amy Green of ISU Extension welcomed participants with a biosecurity demonstration, highlighting its crucial role in modern agriculture.
- Ty Rinner, a Washington County turkey farmer and Iowa Turkey Federation Board member, provided an overview of 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 interacted with baby animals and witnessed a sheep herding demonstration by trained farm dogs.
- Dan Berdo, a local beef producer, showcased his cattle operation, discussing herd management, feed rations, and the farm-to-table journey of beef.
- A farm-to-table lunch, provided by Illa Miller and sponsored by Washington County Farm Bureau, featured guest speakers including Brandon Bishop (Washington County Farm Bureau Representative), Kurt Dallmeyer (Washington County Fair Board Representative), and Iowa Corn Growers.
- At Eichelberger Farms, Jason Christenson provided an in-depth look at pork production, covering essential topics such as pig care, nutrition, and the sustainability of hog farms.
- Sinclair Tractor gave attendees a behind-the-scenes tour of their facility, showcasing equipment repairs, the parts department, and an opportunity to sit inside a John Deere combine to learn about modern farm machinery.
- Jim Cuddeback, a multi-generation grain farmer, wrapped up the day with an informative discussion on corn and soybean production, tiling, and the seasonal work required to grow row crops in Iowa.
Agriculture Day serves as a valuable learning opportunity for local leaders, providing a deeper understanding of Washington County’s agricultural industry and its critical role in the local and state economy.
