Brenda Mormann has worked with North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom from its beginning more than 25 years ago. NCI AITC started off small, with just 5 member counties, two part-time employees, and a handful of teachers interested in the program.

Then, resources available to help teachers with agriculture instruction were scarce and often inaccurate. Over time, Ag in the Classroom has grown across the state and thousands of students are benefiting from increased support and curriculum available to their teachers.

Brenda became full-time Program Director almost two years ago and North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom now has nine member counties, eight employees, and reaches nearly 13,000 preschool through 8th-grade students annually through in-classroom lessons, farm tours, and FarmChat®.

Brenda loves working for North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom and especially enjoys creating new lessons and working with administrators and teachers. She and her husband live in Clear Lake and she enjoys being outdoors, walking, reading, and spending time with grandkids.

Kay lives on an acreage south of Belmond with her husband, Joe. They have been married for 9 years. Joe works for Barilla, Inc. in Ames. Kay has 3 children. Kody and his wife, Vanessa, and their children Pierce and Finley live on a farm near Klemme. Kody works as a crop specialist for Ag Vantage FS in Garner and Vanessa is a nurse at Iowa Specialty Hospital-Garner Clinic. Kasey and his wife, Morgan, and children, Layna, Talon and Marie live in Sibley, IA. Kasey is the technology coordinator for Sheldon Schools and Morgan works for Farm Credit Services in Sheldon. Natalee is an ag teacher/FFA advisor at the North Union Schools in Armstrong, IA.

Kay grew up on a 5th generation farm near Klemme. Kody and Vanessa now farm it as the 6th generation family. They raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and also have a cow/calf herd. Kay enjoys working for North Central Iowa Ag In the Classroom. She loves being able to go to schools and teach about agriculture and likes the variety of going to a different school and teaching new students every week. Kay feels it is very important for students to learn about farming and learn about where their food, fiber and fuel comes from. It is so much fun to see students get excited about learning about agriculture.

Kay's hobbies include bicycling, walking, kayaking, Cross Country skiing, reading and spending time with family, especially the grandkids.

Sara and her husband, Jared, farm with his multigenerational family outside of Swea City, Iowa. There they have a cow-calf herd and beef cattle feedlot as well as grow corn and soybeans. She attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Marketing and Communications and a minor in Animal Science.

Sara and her husband have three children, Nora, Maggie and Croix. They are currently raising the 5th generation and work hard to ensure that the next generation will have the same opportunities with the land and livestock. Sara loves being part of North Central Iowa Agriculture in the Classroom where she can interact with kids, tell the story of the American farmer and share all the wonderful opportunities in agriculture.

Sara enjoys spending time with her family, judging livestock shows and volunteering at the local and state level oftentimes advocating for the agricultural industry.

Alison Swanson lives on a farm in southeast Webster County with her husband, Jeremy, and their two children: Joley and Garrett. Together they farm corn and soybeans as well as grow sweet corn and peas for Birds Eye Frozen Foods.

Alison serves on the School Board for Southeast Webster-Grand School District and is very active with her church. She enjoys musicals, reading, spending time with her friends and family, cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones, and being involved in the agriculture community. Alison loves interacting with students of all ages and educating them about where their food, fiber and fuel come from.

Julie Tweeten and her husband Brian grain farm together with their daughter, Sarah, in rural Kensett. Julie also has 31 laying hens so we always have plenty of eggs to eat. They have five adult children: Ben and his fiance Amanda, Sarah, Matt and Rachel.

She has been with North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom for just over 7 years now.

Julie really enjoys working for NCI AITC because she is able to combine her love of farming with her love for children. She feels it is so important now more than ever for kids to know where their food comes from. In her spare time, Julie enjoys reading, camping, biking, boating, snowmobiling, horseback riding and spending time with her family.

Nancy and her husband Steve farm southwest of Garner with their sons, Chase and Trey, raising corn, soybeans, and hay.

They have a purebred Simmental cow-calf herd with their son , Trey, and custom feed hogs.

Nancy retired from teaching after 32 years and is looking forward to sharing the importance of agriculture through Ag in the Classroom.

Nancy enjoys reading, gardening, following the Iowa State Cyclones, and spending time with family and friends.

Amber lives in Mason City with her husband, Paul, their three children, and Amber’s two step-children. Having five children in the home keeps her busy but says it is a lot of fun.

Amber learned about North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom through her children's experience with the program and loved that they were so enthusiastic learning about agriculture.

Amber has 20 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education and loves to be instrumental in teaching and watching children learn something new. She is looking forward to learning and expanding her knowledge of agriculture with them.