Students show hands-on work during Naig visit

   Mike Naig’s visit to Midland High School Aug. 25 enabled him to see how students are using hands-on methods to learn about agriculture.

   The Iowa Secretary of Ag visited Midland’s food processing class as part of his annual 99-county tour.

   “I loved talking with the students this morning,” Naig told Andy Petersen of the Iowa Ag Business Network during a podcast interview later Friday.

   “They were making bratwurst, they were brining some chicken; they were doing all kinds of things related to food,” Naig said.

   Naig also learned about Midland’s plans to construct a greenhouse.

   “We love seeing these greenhouses come to fruition,” Naig said. “A lot of schools are in the process of building them, have just built them, or are looking at building them.

   “Yes, classroom is important; the science behind food safety and the science behind production. But let’s actually go do it. Get your hands dirty. Grow something.”

   After the Midland stop, Naig toured Rockdale Locker and Moore Local in Maquoketa.

   “You’ve got a dairy processing unit, you’ve got a new meat locker, and a really cool store that’s all about all kinds of local products from all over the region,” Naig said. “We need to see a lot more of what’s happening (in Maquoketa).

   “I loved being able to bookend this (trip) with students, and then people who are creating businesses to connect more consumers to ag.

   “That’s a great thing.”