Dordt University is inviting the public to explore the latest advancements in agricultural research during an upcoming open house at its Agriculture Stewardship Center. The event will take place this Thursday, September 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the facility located just north of Sioux Center on Highway 75.
In an interview on a recent episode of The Daily Grind radio program, Dordt senior plant science majors Ava Van Groningen and Lauren Huizinga discussed the university’s transition to an open house format designed for the entire community.
“Anybody from the community is welcome to come and look really what takes place at the Agricultural Stewardship Center. I’m sure a lot of you guys in Sioux Center drive by and wonder, oftentimes there’s like a full parking lot and just wonder what’s going on at the Agricultural Stewardship Center. So this year, we’re changing to an open house format from six to seven thirty, and that people all over from the community, whether you have any connection to agriculture or not, um, to be able to come and see what happens and be able to see what dordt students and local companies are studying. Um, and so that’s the general format as well as we’ll be serving ice cream, which is sponsored by Premier.”
The showcase features five distinct research initiatives blending crop science, livestock management, and emerging agricultural technology. Demonstrations include Premier Communications’ smart-farm Wi-Fi setup, Dylan Ash with VAS demonstrating dairy management software, Crop Voice utilizing cameras for early weed detection, and an animal health feeding trial targeting yeast and mold reduction conducted by Van Beek Natural Sciences and Dordt students.
“First Premier Communications is talking about their smart farm Wi-Fi connectivity, which is basically they’re going to be showing, um, a Wi-Fi network over six acres. So if you’re interested in any technology, that’s great. Um, and then van Beek natural Sciences as well as some students are looking at an animal health feeding trial.”
In addition to commercial technology, attendees will get a firsthand look at student-led field trials. Huizinga and van Groningen, alongside classmate Gregory, are conducting a year-and-a-half-long study on a 2.2-acre test plot examining an addition intercropping system that pairs standard corn populations with red clover.
“An intercropping system is we’re using an addition intercropping system, which means we’re having our normal population of corn, and then we have our clover into it. So we planted our clover a month before we did our corn into it. And the clover helps to add more nutrition, such as nitrogen. Also, it has properties that help control pests just because of the different types of plants that are out there, along with disease.”
Beyond agronomic advantages such as weed suppression and soil fertility, the team is evaluating the trial’s economic viability and potential for cattle grazing post-harvest.
“While the entire premise of our project is really seeing okay in a intercropping system might have agronomic benefits or environmental benefits, but is it financially possible for the farmer? So we’ll be able to really map it out and look at, um, is this going to have a financial benefit because we’re having sort of an added asset, uh, grazing the legume.”
Presentations will repeat three times throughout the evening, allowing attendees to visit multiple sessions, tour the test fields, and enjoy complimentary ice cream sponsored by Premier Communications.
