Hot and humid conditions at a southern Iowa fish hatchery and a chilly processing room at a local meat locker greeted Iowa farmers during the first leg of the two-day Ag Insights Tour, sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau June 26–27.

Designed as a unique opportunity to explore innovative ag businesses and build connections, the tour brought together 40 young farmers and Farm Bureau staff to visit a meat locker and warm-water fish hatchery in southern Iowa, followed by a specialty coffee-roasting company and a family-owned dairy and milk bottling operation in Missouri.

Participants called the experience one-of-a-kind, offering a rare look into fish stocking across the Midwest, the behind-the-scenes work of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected locker, and how bottling milk or roasting specialty coffee can lead to thriving value-added businesses.

“The tour provides a quick two-day getaway full of informative stops and great people who all share similar passions to grow their businesses or start something new,” said Tama County Farm Bureau member Cordt Holub, who was joined by his wife, Krista. “The getaway provides a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections to other areas of the state, which is always beneficial.”

Muscatine County Farm Bureau members Craig and Brooke Gruenhagen agreed. They enjoyed interacting with farmers and learning different facets of agriculture. “We always meet great people on the few tours we have been a part of,” Brooke said. “Farmers love what they do, and it is...