Natalie Eick, a junior majoring in Agricultural Business from Plainfield, Iowa, was one of the six members of the 2019 Rural Entrepreneurship Academy. Eick's business, Hightail Ice Cream, serves sweet ice cream treats in a variety of flavors including: strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate. Participating in the Rural Entrepreneurship Academy provided Eick with a variety of valuable resources, beneficial experiences, and a unique format to keep her business improving over the summer months. 

Eick had the opportunity to job shadow at both Hansen's Dairy in Hudson, Iowa as well as Country View Dairy in Hawkeye, Iowa. She spent three days at the dairies, learning about ice cream, yogurt, milk, and cheese production in rural creameries. Eick explains, "My favorite part of this process was getting to assist with the cheese-curd making and trying the finished product!"

"I'm grateful to have had the chance to be part of the Rural Entrepreneurship Academy this summer, and I highly recommend the program to any student looking to be involved with an entrepreneurial, ag-based field in the future,"                                                                             concluded Eick.