In 1931, a group of farmers started the Northern Iowa Research Association to work on problems specific to northern Iowa farmers. The Northern Iowa Research Association purchased a farm on the southern edge of Kanawha and has encouraged Iowa State University researchers to conduct work there. Since its beginning, this farm has conducted research in flax production, sugar beet production, small grain management, corn and soybean breeding, weed management, nutrient management (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), soybean cyst nematode, tillage, replant decisions, and rotations.