As agriculture continues to evolve and call for innovative, sustainable solutions, Buena Vista University (BVU) is expanding hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students to lead the future of the industry. BVU has announced the establishment of the Boettcher Raccoon River Sustainable Agriculture Center, a new experiential learning site made possible through a generous partnership with the Boettcher family. This agreement allows BVU to use the Boettcher family farm as a living classroom and laboratory for students studying agriculture, science, and environmental fields.

The 160-acre family farm, located approximately ten miles north of BVU’s campus along the Raccoon River, has been in the Boettcher family for more than 150 years. Across generations, the family has demonstrated a strong commitment to conservation and responsible land stewardship, a tradition now continued by Iris Boettcher and her father, Lloyd. Today, the land is enrolled entirely in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), reflecting a long-standing focus on soil health, water quality, and environmental conservation.

This partnership, grounded in shared values of stewardship and education, was formally celebrated during a campus gathering this fall attended by members of the Boettcher family, BVU faculty and staff, and students. The event included remarks from BVU President Brian A. Lenzmeier, Ph.D., Iris Boettcher, owner of the land, and Annie Johnson, a senior double major in Agricultural Business and Political Science, who spoke on behalf of the student body.

“This partnership creates an incredible outdoor laboratory for hands-on learning,” Lenzmeier said. “The Boettcher family has stewarded this land with exceptional care across generations, and we are deeply grateful for their trust in BVU. By sharing this legacy with our students, they are helping shape meaningful educational experiences rooted in purpose, service, and stewardship.”

Boettcher shared that the partnership reflects both her family’s history and her vision for the future of agriculture. “This farm has been in our family for over 150 years, and I have worked to honor the land and my ancestors through sustainable care of the soil and river,” Boettcher said. “I am inspired by BVU’s mission to learn through experience, and I hope this partnership provides an experimental lab for faculty and students to design innovative, sustainable, and regenerative agricultural practices.”

The Boettcher Raccoon River Sustainable Agriculture Center will support experiential learning opportunities across multiple disciplines, allowing students to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings while honoring the environmental and historical significance of the land.

BVU senior Annie Johnson ’26 highlighted the impact of hands-on learning on her own educational journey.

“What I appreciate most about BVU is the focus on hands-on learning. We’re encouraged to get out of the classroom and into the field,” Johnson said. “The Boettcher family’s generosity will allow future students to have the same kind of real-world learning experiences that have shaped my time at BVU. We’re excited to learn from this land, honor their story, and continue growing a future rooted in education and service.”

Faculty and staff across the university see significant potential for interdisciplinary learning, research, and collaboration through the Center, particularly in areas related to sustainable agriculture, conservation, and environmental stewardship.

“This is not just the story of one family farm,” Lenzmeier added. “It reflects the history, values, and future of agriculture in Northwest Iowa. We hope this partnership continues that story by inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders and environmental stewards.”

The Boettcher Raccoon River Sustainable Agriculture Center represents BVU’s continued commitment to experiential learning, sustainability, and partnerships that strengthen both education and community.