can host a wide array of events. “We have lots of flexibility and a unique business model, because we have our hands in lots of different things, and we try to make the best use of the resources that we have,” he says. AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION AT THE CORE Despite this diversity, agriculture remains at the forefront of the Clay County Fair & Event Center’s mission. The fair hosts the largest agricultural equipment and farm machinery show of any county fair in the United States, with more than 160 ag vendors participating each year. “Education is important, both for bringing producers up to speed on new technologies and informing the general public,” Brockshus says.“Many individuals are generations removed from production agriculture, so we help tell that story. And, of course, people can immediately connect to food with items like corn dogs, bringing it all together in a fun way.” Educational outreach is woven throughout the fairgrounds, beginning with Grandpa’s Barn, an interactive agricultural education facility developed in partnership with community organizations, the Farm Bureau, Buena Vista University, and local FFA chapters. “It houses animals of all sorts of species and allows education and interaction with different groups that come through there,” he describes. Through Iowa State University Extension, the fair also offers a program called Ag-Citing, which brings in 1,300 elementary students from area schools to learn about agriculture in a fun way. For high school students, initiatives such as FFA Day provide leadership workshops and college exploration opportunities, along with direct engagement with agricultural professionals. “We happen during school time,” notes Brockshus. “So, we figure out how we can be their field trip for a day. We partner with the local schools to get kids on the grounds for some educational pieces, and I think we’ve really leaned into that.” A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC ENGINE The city of Spencer may have only 11,000 residents, 84 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 01
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