Muhlenbruch was raised on a dairy farm in Franklin County, five miles north of Dows with his parents and five siblings. \u201cGrowing up on a dairy farm was a good way to grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was really active in FFA and agriculture in high school,\u201d said Muhlenbruch, \u201cI wanted a degree in Ag Ed.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating from Dows High School, Muhlenbruch attended Iowa State and earned that degree. \u201cI wanted to start farming but that was during the farm crisis of the 1980s so things weren\u2019t so good on the farm back then.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“So, I thought I\u2019d teach until I could figure out how to start farming \u201434 years later I\u2019m still teaching.\u201d Muhlenbruch said with a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He taught two years at Albert Lea High School and three years at Rockford. While teaching in Rockford he ended up meeting some of the faculty and administration during a workshop on the NIACC campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a job opened up he thought he\u2019d apply. \u201cI kind of liked the idea of teaching at a community college,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last 34 years Muhlenbruch has taught agronomy, farm management and commodity market courses to hundreds of students at NIACC. \u201cWith ag ed you can do lots of things, you can go into business, you can start farming, you can teach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Making multi-generational connections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Muhlenbruch and about twenty students were in the field on the NIACC farm earlier this fall taking soil samples and readings. His students listened intently as he broke apart large clumps of dirt while talking about the condition of the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of his students grew up or are currently living on farms. Just like he did. He makes them feel at home at the NIACC Farm. Their common experiences and background connects them and creates lasting bonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We\u2019ve got some really good kids here. They are into it \u2014 they want to do things, learn about things and be involved.\u201d – Kevin Muhlenbruch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n An example of one of those connections is Aaron Cunningham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cunningham graduated from NIACC in 2008. \u201cWhen he was a student here we had a guy, who was combining for us,\u201d explained Muhlenbruch. \u201cAaron wanted to take that over someday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Five years ago, Muhlenbruch took him up on his offer from ten years earlier and Cunningham has been the NIACC Farm ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aaron and his wife Laura own and operate SkyView Farms in Nora Springs. They also keep 50 cattle on the NIACC farm that help students build knowledge in beef production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.niacc.edu\/niacc-minute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/IMG_6071-1024x769.jpg\")
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