entrusted to build a new agricultural education program from the ground up. “Being able to start an ag program plus have the opportunity to share Christ with each and every student is something that is rare to find.” She teaches courses covering topics such as plant and animal science, ag business, natural resources and environment, and basic construction skills. “When I interviewed for this job, I knew there was a Biblical foundation here. For me, it was so evident that this community values Christ. This space I get to work in every day really values growing your faith. We talk about the religious aspects, but more importantly we value the importance of knowing Jesus as our savior and want to live for Christ,” she said. A native of southeastern Iowa, Kylie strengthened her ties to northwest Iowa in December 2019 when she married Michael Nettinga of Hull. Both enjoy helping on the dairy farm of his parents, Merrill and Marlys Nettinga. Kylie and Michael also like reading, exercising, and spending time outdoors with their pug, Maggie. They also make trips to help on the sheep farm of her parents, Lyle and Lori Miller of Wellman, Iowa.
education program from scratch. parents helped spark her interest in “When I first started, I can honestly agriculture and allowed her to pursay I was just having fun. I wasn’t sue it passionately throughout high married and I don’t have any blood school and college. Her interest in relatives here. So I was working becoming an ag educator and FFA Age Media Qtr Page Color 1-8-20.pdf 1 1/8/2020 11:21:34 AM 12- or 13-hour days and I loved it. I advisor was inspired by Marcia Killearned as I went and visited with the women who had been my advisors in high school. I talked to friends in the area who were starting ag programs, too. We were kind of in it together.”
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Michael is a 2015 graduate of Boyden-Hull High School and a 2017 graduate of Northeast Community College in dairy science technologies. He is currently a farm management support specialist for Gorters-Clay Dairy Equipment of Pipestone, Minn.
In fact, for her master’s degree, she created a “how-to manual” on how to start an ag education program. “I hope it’s helpful to some people. The first years are hard, but my encouragement to young teachers is ‘Yes, you can do it. Keep going.’ Look for the positives. Every day, write down something you’re grateful for or that makes you laugh.”
When Kylie joined Western Christian, she was a fresh college graduate tasked with creating a new ag
Growing up on a small diversified farm in southeastern Iowa, her
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February 2022 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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