AMES, Iowa – The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA), the national governing body that promotes the professional status of extension agents and agriculture specialists, will hold their Annual Meeting/Professional Improvement Conference in Des Moines Aug. 13-17, 2023. This will be the first time Iowa has hosted the event.
The Iowa Agricultural Extension Association, the state branch of NACAA, made a successful bid to host nearly 1,000 attendees from across the country. Kapil Arora, bid coordinator for the Iowa association, gives credit for the selection to the efforts of the team members who delivered a comprehensive bid package, the team at Catch Des Moines and a video produced by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
“Iowa is the top agricultural state in the country and we have many claims to greatness. The teams involved did a fantastic job of helping us bring together state and university leaders, as well as our extension agricultural agents to showcase the story of Iowa’s greatness,” said Arora.
As the host state organization, IAEA will be responsible for organizing pre-conference professional development tours, professional improvement seminars, and commercial and educational exhibits. Included in the bid were plans for conducting approximately 20 post-conference tours to allow attendees to learn different aspects of Iowa’s agriculture.
“In addition to having one central venue for the conference and meeting, with places to stay within walking distance, we were able to promote the international agriculture industries located in Iowa, as well as Des Moines area social events, restaurants, recreational opportunities, and of course the Iowa State Fair,” Arora said.
The Iowa association has 101 extension agriculture agents and specialist members as active or life members. They are ISU Extension and Outreach agents and specialists serving all 99 Iowa counties who connect Iowans with Iowa State University resources, research and education. Learn more about Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension at www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/.
Photo: ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialists Larry Tranel and Jennifer Bentley pitch Iowa's dairy production in video promoting Iowa to NACAA voting delegates.