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Change to student aid formula would hit Iowa farm families

Darcy and Eric Wemark and their family milk nearly 600 cows at their dairy operation in Ridgeway, near Decorah in northeast Iowa.

The family also has 450 heifers, a 2,500-head swine facility and farms about 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans on land it mostly rents.

The couple’s eldest son, Carson, is finishing his first year at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, where he’s studying agronomy. The 19-year-old plans to carry on in the family business, as does their eldest daughter, Addison. The high school senior plans to head to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to study dairy science next fall.

Carson currently receives federal financial aid through a Pell Grant to help the family pay for the roughly $16,000 annual expense to send him to college, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses.

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Meet Alfonso Agulair: Zoetis Caregiver Award Winner and Herdsman at Tosh Farms

Video: Meet Alfonso Agulair: Zoetis Caregiver Award Winner and Herdsman at Tosh Farms


At World Pork Expo 2026, Swine Web caught up with Alfonso Agulair, a herdsman with Tosh Farms and one of this year's Zoetis Caregiver Award winners.

Known for his genuine care and dedication, Aguilar helps build a strong team culture while encouraging those around him to continually improve. During this interview, he discusses his journey into the swine industry, the importance of animal care, and what motivates him each day.

Before finding his home in pork production, Aguilar worked in construction. Today, he takes pride in helping provide safe, high-quality food while caring for animals and supporting his team.