AMES, Iowa – An open house will recognize a new research and extension facility as well as the 95th anniversary of Iowa State University’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm. ISU Research and Demonstration Farms are dedicated to finding solutions for Iowans’ soil, climate and cropping systems through research conducted across Iowa.
“The Northern Research and Demonstration Farm has a proud history of serving farmers in northern Iowa, from establishment in the middle of the Great Depression to upgrading facilities in 2025 to facilitate research, outreach and education to our members, farmers, ag retailers and our local communities in northern Iowa,” said Greg Guenther, president of the North Central Iowa Research Association. “We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our members, supporters, neighbors and the Iowa State University agricultural research community.”
The research farm was originally established by the North Iowa Experimental Association in 1930 and later merged with the Clarion-Webster Experimental Association to form the North Central Iowa Research Association. This farm is the oldest in the state and a pillar of Iowa State’s agricultural research and demonstration efforts.
The open house will be held on Thursday, June 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the farm’s address, 310 S. Main Street, Kanawha, IA, 50447.
Remarks will be made by several invited guests, including:
- Wendy Wintersteen, president, Iowa State University (virtual greeting)
- Dan Robison, holder of the endowed dean’s chair, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Jason Henderson, vice president, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Jay Harmon, associate dean and director of agriculture and natural resources, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Greg Guenther, president, North Central Iowa Research Association
An agenda for the evening includes:
- 4 p.m. – Tours of the research and extension facility and farm
- 5 p.m. – Comments from invited guests
- 6 p.m. – Dinner provided by the Northern Research Farm
“The board of directors of the North Central Iowa Research Association has worked hard to raise funds and build this beautiful new research and extension facility at the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm. We appreciate their foresight to expand opportunities that will serve Iowans well into the future,” said Angie Rieck-Hinz, extension field agronomist.
This celebratory opportunity is available at no cost to anyone interested in attending; however, farm staff ask that you RSVP so they can plan appropriately for providing a meal to all. Please RSVP to northernrf@iastate.edu
For more information, contact Angie Rieck-Hinz at amrieck@iastate.edu or Gentry Sorenson at gentrys@iastate.edu
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on May 19, 2025. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
- Field Agronomist in NC Iowa
- Field Agronomist in NW Iowa
- ANR Communications Specialist