Dordt's Agriculture Stewardship Center to host open house for local community

Dordt University will host a public open house at the Agriculture Stewardship Center (ASC) on Thursday, September 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The come-and-go event, located at 3468 U.S. Highway 75, is free and open to everyone—no agricultural background required. Premier Communications will provide complimentary ice cream to visitors.

“I often field questions from local community members or Dordt faculty or staff about the ASC and what's happening there,” says Dr. Holly De Vries, professor of agriculture. “We see the showcase as an opportunity to invite the local community and Dordt’s campus to interact with, learn about, and be informed on the activities at the ASC.”

Visitors will find five featured demonstrations, each connected to student learning or active industry partnerships:

• Smart Farm Wi-Fi connectivity, in partnership with Premier Communications — a network covering approximately six acres, from the main building to the cattle barn, designed to support real-time data and connectivity across the farm
• An animal health feeding trial, conducted as a directed study by animal science students in connection with Van Beek Natural Science, focused on lowering yeast and mold count in the total mixed rations of animals.
• FeedComp dairy management software, presented by Dordt alumnus Dylan Ash, farm performance consultant for VAS—a cloud-based platform for record-keeping and feed management.
• An intercropping field trial, conducted as a directed study by plant science students examining the profitability and soil health benefits of growing corn alongside red clover.
• Camera-based weed control technology, developed with CropVoice, giving farmers an opportunity to address weed pressure before it becomes a problem.

“The ASC's purpose is student learning, so we wanted to highlight our students and the projects they are working on,” says De Vries. “We also wanted to highlight some of the industry partners we've had the opportunity to be a demo farm for.”

De Vries is especially looking forward to seeing that work recognized. “I am excited for the students who have worked hard on their projects to showcase their work and demonstrate the hands-on learning that a university farm provides.”

The event is open to anyone in the community, not just those with ties to agriculture. 

“This is not just for ag majors or farmers, but anyone who is curious and would like to stop by,” De Vries says. “Come and grab a free ice cream treat and stay as long or as little as fits into their schedule.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and other national publications.