“It Takes An Iowan” exhibit to be at Iowa’s Dairy Center outside of Calmar during June Dairy Month

The Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation and Iowa’s Dairy Center will host a new traveling, interactive exhibit from June 1-25 that is free, open to the public and celebrates the contributions of Iowa farmers during National June Dairy Month.

Iowa’s Dairy Center is located just south of Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) Calmar campus on Hwy. 150. The exhibit, “It Takes An Iowan,” focuses on Iowans as leaders in the ongoing endeavor of providing food for the world and will be displayed in the main hallway at Iowa’s Dairy Center, according to Megan Kregel, center coordinator.
“We’re excited to offer this exhibit during June Dairy Month as a celebration of the many contributions made by Iowa farmers in a mission to feed the world through sound stewardship practices. Everyone depends on agriculture, from food to fiber. After all, agriculture and its related industries pump $112.2 billion a year into Iowa’s economy and create one out of every five jobs in the state,” said Kregel.

Silos & Smokestacks President Cara Miller also believes that “It Takes an Iowan” offers visitors with an important opportunity to learn more about the state’s agricultural heritage. “I am excited this exhibit, educating all Iowans on the many roles we have played and continue to play in feeding the world, will be on display at Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar, Iowa,” said Miller. “I hope my fellow Iowans will take advantage of the opportunity the exhibit provides to share how they will make a difference in helping to feed a growing population.”

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the global population will hit nine billion by 2050. Feeding the world is no small task and this exhibit features Iowans’ role in assisting those in need to meet the changing diets of billions. Visitors will learn Iowans are not only leaders in agriculture, but also in education, technology, communication, legislation and transportation.

“It Takes An Iowan” launched at the 2015 Iowa State Fair and was ranked as number seven on the fair’s list of “Top 11 at the Fair.” The exhibit features interviews and commentary from Iowa farmers, educators, inventors and agriculture leaders including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. To follow the exhibit’s progress or to see where it will be on display next, visit www.ittakesaniowan.com.

SSNHA is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities - past and present. To learn more about Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.