The seeds of Mel Stockwell's passion for working with her hands were planted early, growing up in her father’s metal shop surrounded by drill presses, lathes and farm equipment. 

Her family also instilled in her a knack for being artsy and creative. She followed those skills into college as an arts and sciences student at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. There, she took a variety of classes — from theater to photography to ceramics.

“But it was printmaking that stuck with me,” says Stockwell, a Van Buren County Farm Bureau member. “I think it’s because I have such a passion for machinery.” 

At Coe, Stockwell first encountered the printing presses that would shape her future. 

“I didn’t know ...