The USDA National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) facility, located on Dayton Avenue and visible from Interstate 35, is at the center of livestock research, foreign disease diagnostics and vaccine/biologic regulation for the nation. The 523-acre campus includes 93 buildings and three separate yet intertwined governmental centers: USDA’s National Animal Disease Center (NADC), National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), and Centers for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). It is a restricted campus, monitored around the clock, and the NADC’s mission is to conduct basic and applied research on selected diseases of economic importance to the U.S. livestock and poultry industries. The campus was originally established in 1961, with the iconic 550,000 square foot consolidated laboratory and administrative building being completed in 2009. The work at this facility impacts animal and public health, food safety and biosecurity, animal welfare, national and international economy, and the environment. They have close ties with Iowa State University and other institutions throughout the United States and the world and has had two scientists inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Sciences and one in the National Academy of Medicine. The campus employs over 700 individuals, creating a huge economic impact in the region. Briefly summarizing the three agencies, the CVB focuses on vaccines and biologics, the NVSL prevents foreign diseases from entering the United States such as foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. The NADC, led by Director Mark Ackermann, focuses on livestock health research. Ackermann is a 1986 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and then earned his PhD degree in 1990 and conducted research at the NADC during that time. He was a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine from 1996 – 2017, when he moved to a similar role at Oregon State. A national search brought him back to Ames as Director of USDA’s National Animal Disease Center in 2021. All three centers (CVB, NVSL and NADC) are part of the USDA, but each has its own function and purpose. Combining the three branches into the main, large building has led to greater efficiencies of operation, allowing for a closer collaboration, which has all led to a world-class disease animal/livestock health facility. “For the NADC,” which Ackermann oversees, “we really work on the diseases that are difficult to eliminate,” focusing on domestic diseases that impact livestock. Projects have included the eradication of hog cholera, also known as classical swine fever, the development of a brucellosis vaccine that is now used in cattle and bison, and the discovery of a bovine leukemia virus, a disease common in dairy cattle. They study swine influenza and chronic wasting disease in deer and their potential for interspecies spread and NADC scientists recently discovered how COVID-19 impacted and moved amongst the deer population. “We want to provide research with the goal toward therapeutics, vaccinations, with the overall goal of elimination of these diseases that are impacting livestock,” said Ackermann. Determining the “how” and “why” of disease is the overall premise. The NVSL receives samples from across the United States that are studied in their BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories. There is no BSL-4 laboratory in Ames, which is considered the highest security rating, although the Ames facility has one of the few BSL-3 livestock labs in the country, where protocols are strict and require scientists to wear masks and full bio-hazard suits for biosafety with strict biocontainment regulations. This is where they work on swine influenza, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis along with other diseases. Work at the National Centers for Animal Health reduces economic losses due to infectious, genetic, and metabolic diseases that impact livestock and poultry industries as well as food safety and antimicrobial resistance. In turn, it also further prevents suffering and death caused by these diseases. Its multiple missions have a huge impact in the advancement of livestock health in the United States.
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County is in the final stages of a capital improvement campaign that will expand and modernize their current location. The $7 million project will add 7,500 square feet to the south of their existing building, as well as provide needed updates throughout the building. “The project will address critical updates to the HVAC, lighting, fire, and security systems,” said CEO Ryan Santi. “It will also enhance kitchen and classroom space, and ultimately allow the organization to serve more kids.” The Ames club has been a staple in the community since 1963. Their current facility was built in 1998 and is ready for a remodel. The Boys & Girls Clubs offers a range of services to youth throughout the year. In 2022, they provided over 11,000 meals to students, many of whom regularly experience food insecurity. They also provide a friendly and supportive environment to kids. Last year, they served nearly 800 students through community outreach programs. Over the past several decades, the scope of programming has changed. “The old model of the Boys & Girls Clubs was to show up and hang out,” said Development Director Judge Johnston. “Today, we are an extension of the school day for many of our kids. This includes educational programming, arts and crafts, and serving a hot meal to them daily.” In 2022, they provided 1,500 hours of academic, healthy lifestyle, and character enhancement programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs currently serves 105 students but has a waiting list that they will be able to address after the completion of this new expansion project. The new kitchen will allow for cooking classes where students can learn core lifestyle skills. “We have a number of students who serve as the primary caregiver at home because their parents work long hours,” said Santi. “This type of programming will give students the skills needed to not only cook for themselves, but for their siblings as well.” The Boys & Girls Clubs had $3 million at the launch of their campaign, thanks to a $2.7 million grant from the State of Iowa, and their own contribution of $300,000 that was taken from cash reserves. Through a generous donation from the Burke family and other private donations, they have already raised $4.55 million, two-thirds of their goal, as of October 2023. The public campaign began this fall and was led by Johnston, Santi, and Board President Tyler Farner. They anticipate breaking ground on the expansion project in Spring 2024. To learn how to donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County expansion project, visit their website at https://www.bgcstory.org Todd & Sargent has specialized in design, engineering, and construction since 1933, and their name is synonymous as one of the early pioneers in the grain elevator construction business in Iowa. Since its founding, the company has become a recognized design, engineering, and construction leader in the food and ag space. Headquartered in Ames, Todd & Sargent constructs projects across the United States and Canada. In 1933, George Todd moved his family from Eagle Grove to Ames and started his wood cribbed grain elevator construction business. At that time, most of his jobs were within 100 miles of Ames. In the 1950’s, Todd was looking for a successor for his business and found a viable suitor in Warren Sargent. After working for several years in the steel industry in Pennsylvania, Sargent moved back home to Iowa to partner with Todd, and in 1958, the company was renamed the Todd & Sargent Construction Company. Todd eventually sold his interest in the company to Sargent in 1962 but continued to work for the company until his retirement in 1969. While the Todd family's involvement ended decades ago, the company has always kept that name out of deference to the legacy that George Todd began in 1933." Until the 1950’s, most elevators were wood cribbed and topped with galvanized sheet metal. In 1961, Sargent began experimenting with new designs, such as welded bins with a smooth interior surface that became the hallmark design for feed mills until concrete construction became the economical way to build larger facilities. The agricultural boom of the 1970’s and early 80’s saw an increase in demand for concrete elevators; facilities went from storing hundreds of thousands of bushels in 1971 to millions of bushels by 1980. The turn of the century and beyond brought expansion and a variety of diversified projects for Todd & Sargent. The company completed its first flour mill in 1996 and its first oilseed processing facility in 2003. A new malt house was constructed in Minnesota in 2016. While the design and construction of feed mills and grain elevators have long been steady staples for Todd & Sargent, a constant eye on developing additional markets has further driven the company’s success. Todd & Sargent continued to expand their presence as the industry evolved. Todd & Sargent Canada was created to build shipping terminals in response to an expanding grain industry. In 2001, they began work in the ethanol and biodiesel industry and formed a strategic partnership with West Central Cooperative, forming Renewable Energy Group, specializing in the design, engineering, construction, and start-up of new biodiesel facilities across the United States. Today, more than 300 employees throughout North America help clients efficiently and effectively store, process, and distribute materials with a wide portfolio of projects. For nine decades under family leadership, the company has built a proud heritage of successful projects and strong partnerships that have led to its current industry leadership position. The concept of an escape room is simple: challengers are locked in a room and need to discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in a set amount of time in order to escape from the room. No Escape Iowa offers three levels for challengers: easy, moderate, and hard. Jon Wilson, Manager of No Escape Iowa, not only runs the Ames location but is a connoisseur of the craft, having completed nearly 150 escape rooms from across the country. “When I visit another city, it’s nearly always one of the things that I do when I’m there.” No Escape Iowa currently has four rooms, each original to Ames. The business has been located in Downtown Ames for nearly 5 years and has two more rooms under construction. The rooms are family-friendly, said Wilson. “We see a lot of families come through and book the rooms for birthday parties or other celebrations.” If you have what it takes, think again. The success rate of escaping the room in the allotted hour is just under 50%. The most difficult room, “Game On,” has a record of 46 minutes, 26 seconds. Book your adventure to No Escape Iowa online. No Escape Iowa is located at 328 Main Street. www.NoEscapeIowa.com |