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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.

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. When Kylie joined Western Christian, she was a fresh college graduate tasked with creating a new ag education program from scratch. “When I first started, I can honestly say I was just having fun. I wasn’t married and I don’t have any blood relatives here. So I was working 12- or 13-hour days and I loved it. I learned 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.” 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.” Growing up on a small diversified farm in southeastern Iowa, her parents helped spark her interest in agriculture and allowed her to pursue it passionately throughout high school and college. Her interest in becoming an ag educator and FFA advisor was inspired by Marcia Kil-

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Katie Van Zee of Indigo Row Floral Design demonstrates floral arranging to one of the Western Christian classes.

Students pot up plants outside the Western Christian greenhouse which was funded by Farm Credit Services of America. gard and Karen Vande Walle, her FFA advisors at Iowa Mennonite High School. “While I had grown up knowing that Christ and agriculture were part of my daily life, these two advisors pushed me to not only love agriculture, but to also love Christ with all of my being. They each showed me how to pursue Christ while still having a passion for educating other people about the importance of agriculture in our day-to-day lives,” she said. After high school, she pursued a degree in agricultural education at Iowa State University (even though she’s been a Hawkeye fan her whole life). She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2015 and her master’s degree in 2019, both from ISU. Despite the fact that many of her students tower over her, there’s no doubt who is in charge of her classroom. She said she’s gained a lot of confidence since starting in 2015, especially in the last four years. “The kids know when I’m not messing around. They know I really value the discipline of hard work. I will call them out if they are being lazy or disrespectful.” During those times when a student might be getting out of line, she’s quick to reference her faith lessons. “I’ll ask them: ‘How does God call us to change or restore this behavior which is clearly not helping you nor anyone around you?’ The more I teach at this school, the more I value the ability to say things like that.”