Folks from this area often say that Wright County, Iowa has some of the best farm ground in the world. Last week, an exciting event may have validated that opinion a bit. On Friday, a delegation from the country Kosovo, including the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Faton Peci, visited the county. And according to multiple accounts, the visit was a great success.
The small country of Kosovo, located in southeastern Europe, is only 13 years old and is still unrecognized by most countries in the United Nations. Iowa has a special partnership with Kosovo as more than 700 Iowa National Guardsmen and women have been stationed there since 2003 on various peacekeeping missions. When Kosovo declared their independence from Serbia in 2008, the United States recognized them immediately. Just three years later, then Iowa governor, Terry Branstad, announced a partnership between the state and the new country.
Last week’s international visitors to Wright County came about thanks to the work of various local officials, most notably Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Superintendent Joe Nelson. Nelson previously worked in the Johnston School District. Johnston is one of a few Iowa cities with formal sister-city partnerships with different cities in Kosovo. Nelson explained that in his position within the school district, he worked with students and leaders from Kosovo for the last four years. “Our students would go over there, and their students would come over here every year. It was a great opportunity,” Nelson noted.
When he came to work for the CGD district last year, Nelson brought with him his appreciation for the sister city idea and a special place in his heart for Kosovo. Almost since he started at CGD, Nelson began pursuing the idea of a sister cityhood between Kosovo and Clarion. Nelson stressed, “We have a lot to offer Kosovo. Wright County helps to feed the world and they are working to develop their agriculture base.” He added that he would also hope to exchange students and educators if the agreement goes through.
To that end, Nelson began working with Clarion mayor Duane Asbe and councilmember Andy Young. Both officials have been very supportive of the idea and all have made trips to the Kosovan consulate in Des Moines. The group was even tentatively planning on joining an official visit to Kosovo in late September. But when circumstances led to that trip being canceled, another opportunity presented itself.
Nelson knew that the Minister of Agriculture was planning a visit to the state and decided to extend an invite to him and various other officials. The invitation was accepted. Last Friday, five Kosovar diplomats and staff made their way to Clarion.
One of the visitors was Artan Duraku, Chief of Mission from the consulate. He was very excited about continuing to pursue Kosovo’s partnerships within Iowa. Duraku said, “We are trying to build sustainable relationships between countries including with a bottom-up approach like sister cities. That people-to-people connection is very important. We hope to exchange students, business ideas and open up communication between our communities.”
One way the international group did that was with a stop at Hagie Manufacturing in Clarion during their visit. The group was welcomed by Hagie representatives Dave Maxheimer and Kevin Marshall. Nelson later noted the Kosovars were “blown away” by the company, especially upon getting to check out one of their sprayers.
The party next journeyed to rural Wright County to the farm of Stuart Swanson in rural Galt where soybeans were being harvested. The Kosovars were very impressed with Swanson’s operation. Minister Peci explained, though their farms in Kosovo are markedly smaller than what Iowa has, they are still eager to explore best practices and bring them back to their country. The icing on the cake was when the minister got to take a spin in the combine with Swanson.
The day wrapped up with Nelson and Asbe taking the Kosovo contingent to a smokehouse restaurant when they returned to Des Moines. Asbe said the group could not stop talking about how great the Wright County trip had been. “The day couldn’t have turned out any better,” he said. “The Kosovars were very complimentary of Clarion and the area. From the presentation at Hagie to the exciting trip to the Swanson farm, this was a wonderful, rare opportunity to display our county and rural Iowa at its best.”
He added that just a day later, he had already gotten a thank you from the consulate. Asbe said that the sister city goal seems even closer now. “There was no display besides enthusiasm on both sides. We are even more motivated now to share ideas and people.”
Nelson agreed. He also thought that the day went very well. He added that there has already been the suggestion of other Kosovar officials visiting the area in the near future, perhaps getting a chance to visit CGD schools and the hospital. Nelson also hopes to make a visit to the country in the next year. “They are such a kind people and so grateful for what the U.S. and Iowa has done for them. We look forward to seeing them again soon”
Kosovan Chief of Mission Duraku also left the door very open for future opportunities between Wright County and his country. “You may be small, but we see you have a big heart,” he said. “We have ideas that would be just the right match for Clarion. We look forward to the partnership.”
