02/22/24: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Swine specialist is excited to work with area producers

There's no question too big or too small for Ashley Englin, new swine specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in northwest Iowa. On the job since Jan. 29, she's already working to develop contacts, meet colleagues and clients, and prepare to offer great service to producers and others in the area.

"My primary responsibility is to provide resources to people to improve the local and state swine industry," Englin said in a news release. "I want everyone to know I'm a resource to call on when needed."

Englin's background provides her with a great deal of first-hand experience and an understanding of what takes place within the day-to-day operations of a farm, a big plus in this position.

"I was introduced to agriculture at an early age while growing up in LeMars and participating in 4-H," she said. "I decided to pursue my passion by attending Iowa State University, where I received a bachelor's degree in animal science."

After graduation, she began work as a nursery production training coordinator for Schwartz Farms Inc. in Sleepy Eye, Minn. In March 2022, she and her family returned to LeMars and she started work as a wean-to-finish production specialist for Smithfield. When her current position with Iowa State opened, it immediately drew her attention.

"I was interested in this position because I enjoy working alongside other agriculture enthusiasts to provide solutions to the problems that the swine industry presents," Englin said. "I want people in the swine industry to realize what a great resource they have in their Extension programs, and I hope I can display those resources to people and positively impact those programs even more."

What should people expect from this new swine specialist?

"I bring an attitude of hard work, enthusiasm and dedication that I hope to convey in every interaction I have with people," Englin said. "I want people to always walk away from an interaction with me feeling like I gave them something valuable to use in future endeavors, and I want to help people be as successful as possible."

Englin is based in the Sioux County Extension office in Orange City, and can be reached at [email protected] or (712) 737-4230.

NCC Automotive Program ranked in Top 20

The Automotive & Light Duty Diesel Program at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon has been voted into the Top 20 automotive programs in the nation by Tomorrow's Tech2023 School of the Year Contest.

This recognition acknowledges NCC's position as a leading institution in automotive education in the United States.

"Being recognized by Tomorrow's Technician, a publication that reaches over 1,100 schools, is a significant affirmation of the quality education we provide to our students," said Chuck Ball, Automotive Instructor at NCC, in a news release.

The next stage in the contest involves a unique challenge where instructors and students from the selected schools are asked to create videos showcasing their automotive programs and learning environments. The videos will be made available on the Tomorrow's Tech YouTube channel, offering a platform for each school to highlight its educational strengths. A panel of judges from Tomorrow's Tech and WIX Filters will review the submissions to select four regional finalists and, eventually, the winning school.

Members of the NCC Automotive & Light Duty Diesel Team are Chuck Ball, Instructor; Mark Steinle, Instructor; James Gaard, Instructor; and Karri Spanjer, Parts/Service Store Associate.

H-M-S students perform in area honor band

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School band members Madison Fritz and Ellisyn Scroggin were recently selected to participate in the Strong Foundation Sixth Grade Honor Band hosted at North High School in Sioux City.

The girls were selected along with 200 other sixth grade students from the tri-state area. Both Fritz and Scroggin were in the Blue Band conducted by Nikole Nuttall, middle school band director for Alta-Aurelia. They rehearsed on Feb. 12 for about five hours and then gave a performance that evening to a full house.