Ben Pullen is the new director of the Institute for Agriculture at Buena Vista University. Named to the role in late 2024, Pullen brings experience in youth development, education and community engagement, according to a news release. BVU’s Institute for Agriculture aims to foster innovation and sustainability in the agricultural…
Iowa City-based Rantizo, a provider of agricultural spray drone services, has received approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration for advanced drone operations. The approvals include allowing Rantizo service hub operators to swarm up to three drones over 55 pounds and fly at night without a visual observer. Flying without a visual…
America’s Cultivation Corridor, in collaboration with partners, is conducting a survey to gain a deeper understanding of current local, national and global perceptions regarding Iowa’s food and agriculture sector. The survey covers multiple aspects of the industry, including innovation, business opportunity, workforce and quality of life. Responses will remain confidential…
Des Moines Independent Community School District recently unveiled a newly constructed barn for agriculture and horticulture students at Central Campus to gain experience in what it’s like to work in the agriculture industry. The new barn will be open for all students in the metro area who choose the Central…
Three companies in the agricultural biologicals sector, Pivot Bio, Meristem and Syngenta, have signed on to sponsor a comprehensive, farmer-centric market research effort around row-crop farmers’ increased use of agricultural biologicals. The study is being launched by Stratovation Group, a Midwest-based research, marketing and communications firm focused on the agricultural sector, according…
Iowa State University held a grand opening on Sept. 8 for the Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, located on 10 acres of university farmland. The grain storage and feed milling complex can produce up to 30,000 tonnes of feed and store more than 200,000 bushels of grain, according…
Seven companies from Israel are participating in a new cohort of Cultivo Virtual Academy hosted by America’s Cultivation Corridor, which launched on July 6. The program provides participants with mentorship, interaction with Iowa’s agricultural leaders, and an online curriculum focused on U.S. market entry, regulatory and financing systems, and customer…
Johnston-based fintech Growers Edge announced last week a strategic relationship with Munich Re in Germany, a provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk management. According to a news release, the relationship between the two companies will bring together Growers Edge’s data and analytics and Munich Re’s experience in reinsurance…
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced March 7 that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 28 Choose Iowa cost-share grants to Iowa farmers, small businesses and nonprofits totaling $463,000. The Choose Iowa grants were created in 2022 to increase or diversify agricultural product offerings, expand markets…
More than 30 farmers, crop advisers, scientists and other agricultural stakeholders came together last week for a three-day design sprint event to design a new decision-support tool that supports nitrogen fertilizer rate decisions. According to a news release, a design sprint is a proven methodology for answering complex questions rapidly through…