Pre-Conference Tour

Tour Features Local Agribusiness and Conservation

By Madeline Schultz, schultz@iastate.edu

Ames, IA – Women across Iowa have the opportunity to visit diverse agricultural businesses this summer. The Iowa Women in Agriculture pre-conference bus tour takes place on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The 13th Annual Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference follows on Thursday, August 1, 2019 in Ankeny, Iowa. The tour features John Deere Des Moines Works, Kemin Industries, Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor, and The Cellar Winery at White Oak.

In 1948, a 226 corn picker was the first machine produced at the John Deere Des Moines Works factory. Today, nearly 2,000 employees produce self-propelled sprayers, cotton pickers, tillage equipment, and grain drills. Tour participants will ride through cotton picker production and other areas to learn about 21st century equipment manufacturing. There is even a John Deere Store on site for those interested in shopping.

After John Deere, tour participants will choose to visit either Kemin Industries or Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor.

Kemin uses science to unlock discoveries and create ingredient solutions that maintain and improve the quality of life. Founded in 1961, the biotechnology company touches the lives of more than 3.8 billion people in more than 120 countries every day. The tour features several key centers including the World Wide Headquarters, Kemin Health Manufacturing, Molecular Advancement, and Greenhouses.

Tour participants will be among the first to experience the new Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor, opening on June 28, 2019 at the Iowa State University Research Park. The 37-acre community space brings county, city, university, and state partners together to showcase conservation techniques, sustainable technologies, environmental education, water quality awareness, and trail connectivity.

The Cellar Winery at White Oak provides the perfect backdrop to bring tour participants back together. This local agritourism business grows grapes, produces wine and hosts events. Visitors enjoy tasting wine in view of several large wine vats. A sister business, The Chateau at White Oak, offers a spacious venue for weddings and other special events.

The winery visit includes a tour and wine industry discussion along with wine tasting and a picnic supper. Rose Danaher is our guest speaker for the evening reception. She is an Iowa County environmental specialist and an Amana, Iowa, cattle producer. Rose is one of two 2019 U.S. Nuffield International Farm Scholar. She’ll share her worldwide travels to study water quality.
The pre-conference tour is hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Program and partially supported by Farm Credit Services of America. The motor coach tour begins and ends at the Courtyard Marriott at SE Creekview Drive in Ankeny. Attendees may choose to attend the afternoon tours, the evening winery reception or both.

Early bird registration for the conference and pre-conference tour is $50.00 until July 24, and $70.00 after that date. Early bird registration is required for those attending the Pre-Conference Tour. Registration includes the pre-conference tour as well evening reception at the winery, and continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks on conference day.

Please note for some parts of the tour attendees must be 13 years of age or older and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes are required and cameras or phones are not allowed in all areas. For questions about the tour, contact Madeline Schultz at 515-294-0588.