AMES, Iowa—The new small business education specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach brings years of experience working with the university and the business world.

Dan Nieland, who began his role Aug. 15, joins ISU Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team, where he will help advise Iowans looking to start a business or expand on a current venture.

Nieland previously worked for extension and outreach in a three-county area — Jasper, Mahaska and Marion counties — where he helped clients with community and economic development activities, including grants and educational resources.

“I am a firm supporter of extension’s mission, especially as it relates to serving smaller communities where resources may not be as available,” said Nieland. “As an organization, we are in all 99 counties so we are able to meet people where they are at.”

Nieland grew up in Carroll County, Iowa, and spent most of his career in the grocery management business. He earned his master’s of business administration from Lindenwood University in 2005.

Along the way, Nieland has operated a number of small businesses with his wife, with an agritourism and alternative agriculture focus. In the past, that included a horse boarding business, and for the past couple years, the duo have operated Angry Chicken Farms, which includes an Airbnb (air bed and breakfast), and animals such as meat chickens and meat goats.

Nieland said he enjoys the agricultural lifestyle and knows first-hand the opportunities and challenges that small-scale producers face.

Duane Johnson, program manager with the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program, said Nieland’s experience will be beneficial to Iowans and extension and outreach.

“We are excited to have Dan join the Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development team,” said Johnson. “He has extensive experience working with small businesses and with small business finance, and will be a valuable addition to our staff.”

Nieland can be reached at dnieland@iastate.edu

Dan Nieland, small business education specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.