The DMACC Ag Business Club took 30 students to a conference Feb. 6-8, 2024 at Honey Creek Resort in Moravia, Iowa. This conference was through the Iowa PAS Organization, or the Iowa Professional Agricultural Students Organization. Many students in individual and teams qualified for Nationals including the Swine Team who placed first, as well as the Vet Tech team, Job Interview individuals, and Sales individuals, who also placed first. Nationals will be held in Springfield, Ill. during DMACC’s spring break. Young leaders and innovators at DMACC are often found in the Ag Business club at DMACC’s Ankeny campus.
Ag Business Club President Ashlee Tomlinson said there are 30 to 40 active members. Tomlinson is majoring in Ag Business and will transfer to Iowa State next fall to continue her education. She grew up on a cow-calf operation in central Iowa. Professors Andrea Rouse and Emily Campbell are advisors for the club. Andrea is a third-generation farmer who grew up on a cattle farm and row crop operation in central Iowa.
Rouse explained that COVID hit the club hard and they are now recovering and trying to get as many people involved as they can. Some things they have done in the past on top of meetings twice a month were pumpkin painting contests, a big harvest lunch, a Christmas potluck, and a Valentine’s Day party. One of the big things they have done since COVID is the National Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. According to Tomlinson, this was the first big trip the club has been able to take since 2019.
Campbell, an advisor, said, “I love that we have students who aren’t ag majors but are still in the club.” She added, “A lot of people who aren’t in the ag program don’t actually know that they can be part of the Ag Business Club.”
They were adamant during the interview that they wanted to let people from all types of backgrounds know they are welcome. They also wanted people to understand that agriculture is such an important part of our lives and they want to get people interested in it.
They are constantly looking for ways to improve the club and get members to become active. When asked what some benefits of being in the Ag Business Club were, Ashlee jokingly said, “I think we’re pretty fun.” They then all chipped in to say that being a part of this club helps students build relationships and get to know each other better. “We see these friendships permeating into classes, outside of school, and then they start showing up to classes together,” Campbell said. Being able to explore different areas of agriculture and going to different events is another great benefit of this club.
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