Iowa Teacher of the Year’s farm roots run deep

By Darcy Maulsby for Tri-State Neighbor
Apr 7, 2026
19 hrs ago

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While Melanie Bloom is an ag teacher, not a math teacher, there’s a ratio she keeps top of mind at Sioux Central High School, 5 to 1.

Melanie Bloom portrait March 2026.jpg — Melanie Bloom, 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year, poses in the ag classroom at Sioux Central High School. When she started as an ag teacher, she didn't have many women peers.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Darcy Maulsby

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Melanie Bloom cattle March 2026 2.jpg — Melanie Bloom on her family's farm south of Marathon, Iowa.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Darcy Maulsby

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Melanie Bloom classroom March 2026 1.jpg — Melanie Bloom works with students in the classroom in Sioux Rapids. In her teaching, she makes an effort to get kids curious and asking questions.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Darcy Maulsby

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Melanie Bloom Sioux Central greenhouse March 2026.jpg — Melanie Bloom works with FFA members in her ag classes in their greenhouse at Sioux Central School in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Pictured is sophomore Kayley Hermstad in the foreground, sophomore Violet Sangwin, left, Bloom, senior Andrew Nelson, and junior Dalton Kreibaum.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Darcy Maulsby

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Darcy Maulsby is a fifth-generation farmer from Lake City, Iowa, as well as a writer, speaker and author of eight non-fiction history books, including "Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Food and Family," and "A Culinary History of Iowa" from The History Press. Visit her at www.darcymaulsby.com.