Elkader businessman Adam Pollock, who last week hosted a visit from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, made sure the state’s top officials got a good taste of what life is like here — literally and figuratively. “I sent them off with Pedretti’s pastries,” said Pollock. The bakery wasn’t the only thing about Elkader that Pollock highlighted. Though the visit was supposed to be a tour of Fire Farm, the business Pollock owns, Pollock took a broader approach and discussed how the town overall has benefitted from state-funded programs. “I started with Elkader and its growth and evolution through the Main Street projects,” he explained. “I mentioned how state programs like CAT and RECAT, Great Places, and the Cultural and Entertainment District programs all have helped strengthen and enrich the community and local economy.” During a quick tour of Fire Farm’s production area, Reynolds and Gregg were introduced to employees who have stayed or returned to the community. Pollock mentioned others, including Mark Collins, owner of Signs-n-Frames, “who are engaged in creative and entrepreneurial activity right here in Elkader.” “We were able to show tangible examples of projects that have benefitted from that community cross pollination and working together,” Pollock continued. “We explained how we have adopted new technologies to leverage our ability to compete in the marketplace against foreign competition, preparing us for future growth and a competitive labor market through the application of new construction techniques and equipment.” Pollock was also quick to point out collaborations between Fire Farm and other Iowa-based business. For example, two award-winning pieces, Belle and the Ringz, involved partnerships with companies in Jesup and Independence, respectively. “Then I introduced them to my son, Dereje, and showed them some of the solutions and development he has brought to Fire Farm (at the tender age of 14!) and how his work is affecting our production in a positive way and opening yet more doors to be competitive in the marketplace,” Pollock said. Dereje’s skills exemplify the value of opportunities like Lego Robotics, and Elkader’s 4H maker’s program. Pollock touched on other topics like the difficulty of engaging college interns, the importance of investing in the state’s educational system and the value of international relations. The 50-minutes originally scheduled for the visit stretched into nearly an hour. And, Pollock said, he could’ve used two hours more. “There a number of things I wished I had more time to speak with them both about,” Pollock said. “I think our connection to Algeria is very important culturally and economically and should be developed further. I only had time to share what we were involved with and the 50 minute visit (stretched to 58—I made her late)—I would have liked to hear from them what programs they are working on. They were able to respond to some of my concerns about educational investment and started to describe some of the initiatives they are working on, but we did not have enough time to get into the details.“ “I invited them to return for Art in the Park in August. I hope they can make it, or to Music and Monarchs or Sweet Corn Days and enjoy some of the best the city of Elkader and Iowa has to offer.” — Pam Reinig, Clayton County Register editor