By Madelyn Ostendorf
This year marks the 95th anniversary of Iowa State University’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm. Originally, the farm's research included several crops, including sugar beets. Now, this property has expanded to include some of the longest-running experiments on soil fertility and crop response to micronutrients, continuously running since the 1960s and 1980s, respectively.
In addition to the anniversary, the farm is celebrating the completion of a new building, which features a lobby/welcome area, offices for farm staff, a small meeting room, a large multi-use area and a kitchenette. It will be used to host events such as Planter University, the North Central Iowa Research Association’s annual meetings and extension gatherings. The flex space is heated and air conditioned and has already proved valuable to the town of Kanawha – a local high school senior recently held his graduation party in the space.
“To me, that’s one of the most important things that the farm does, being so integrated into the town,” said Kendall Lamkey, associate dean for facilities and operations at Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “This farm is a little unique, I think, because it's the oldest, it's also just outside the city of Kanawha, so it's almost part of the town.”