In the heart of northeast Iowa's dairy country, the Dairy Center sits on a hilltop just outside of Calmar. Here, it stands as an icon for the dairy industry -- bringing together education, demonstration and research to foster the growth and prosperity of families who make dairy farming their way of life.

The Dairy Center site includes an educational facility with classrooms and labs, a milking parlor, freestall barn, grazing center, calf barn and more. The partnership with the Northeast Iowa Community College allows students enrolled in the dairy program to experience hands-on curriculum by working with our dairy herd. Another partnership with the Iowa State University Extension offers programs at our facility for dairy producers. In addition, more than 8,000 grade school children have experienced the Iowa Dairy Story, a program that teaches them about the dairy industry, dairy products, health and nutrition, and visitors from around the globe have toured the Center since its opening in 2000.

The Dairy Center is supported by the Northeast Iowa Community-Based Dairy Foundation, a non-profit, grassroots organization formed to prepare young men and women to operate dairy farms, provide ongoing education for existing dairy farmers and serve as a public educational facility.

Foundation News and Events:

Midwest Dairy School on July 2 to feature On-Farm Processing

Boylen named director of Northeast Iowa Community Based Dairy Foundation

Hanson Hired As Grazing Center Manager