About Me

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Dr. Duane Bajema

Dr. Duane Bajema
Assistant Adjunct - Agriculture

Email: Duane.Bajema@dordt.edu

I grew up on a mixed livestock and grain farm in southwest Minnesota, and attended Hills-Beaver Creek High School where I was active in athletics and FFA.  I attended Dordt College for two years majoring in chemistry and transferred to the University of Minnesota where I received a BS degree in 1971.

  • B.Sc. Agriculture Education University of Minnesota

I took a position with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee to do agricultural and community development work during which time  I also earned a diploma from Instituto Mexicano-Nortamericano. My wife Jan and I worked in Mexico primarily in the town of Tlacolula, Oaxaca for five years. We returned to the United States in 1976 where I accepted a position to teach agriculture in Walnut Grove, MN. I accepted a position in 1977 to begin a program and teach agriculture at Dordt College. The subsequent degrees are:

  • M.Sc. Agriculture, Iowa State University
  • Ph.D. Agriculture Education, Iowa State University
  • Master Beekeeper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Emeritated 2018

I have taught a variety of ag department courses and courses that are part of the core program of the college. I have also served in various administrative capacities for the college. I served as the Pre-Vet advisor for the university.  I have taught beekeeping courses to members of the community. I teach the following courses:

  • Orientation and Ag Safety
  • Introduction to Animal Science
  • Principles of Swine Science
  • Marketing of Agricultural Products
  • Directed Study
  • Culture, Missions, and Community Development in Nicaragua

I am active in the local beef and swine producers organizations, and various professional academic societies. I serve on the Animal Care and Use Committee of Trans Ova Genetics. 

 I have served as an advisor to various student Directed Study  teams which are usually teams of three students. Examples of student projects are:

  • Dust Explosion Simulator (see video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYjqr1xjxy0)
  • Examination of the Prevalence of MRSA in Northwest Iowa Swine Facilities and Farmers
  • Use of Skycis in Swine Finishing Rations to Improve Rate of Gain
  • Agriculture Policy in the Netherlands
  • Analysis of an Alternative Self-Harvesting Feedstuff System for Swine