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Trump adds Kirkwood visit ahead of Wednesday’s rally
James Q. Lynch
Jun. 19, 2017 5:55 pm, Updated: Jun. 20, 2017 1:00 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS - President Donald Trump has added a tour of Kirkwood Community College to his 'Technology Week” visit Wednesday to Cedar Rapids.
Trump will tour agricultural facilities at the southwest Cedar Rapids campus. He is scheduled to be joined there by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Following a tour and remarks there, Trump, who will be making his first trip to Cedar Rapids as president, will head to a 7 p.m. campaign-style rally at the U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE. For free tickets, visit donaldjtrump.com.
The visit is part of the administration's emphasis on helping businesses grow and prosper. Monday, Trump met with tech company leaders he has invited to be part of his American Technology Council. He also will focus on drones, driverless cars and 5G wireless technologies that enable the 'internet of things.”
As part of Technology Week, the president is taking the conversation to rural America to talk about how the newest technology is changing the way food is produced, harvested and marketed, according to the White House. Technology also can make farming safer, more efficient and environmentally friendlier.
Among programs offered at Kirkwood is training for ag specialists who work with farmers to reduce pesticide and fertilizer use by matching application rates with needs.
'Kirkwood is at forefront of teaching students how to use these tools in the field,” said Justin Hoehn, the college's marketing coordinator. 'We're very excited to show the president a very important part of what makes Kirkwood the No. 1 ag two-year program in the nation” based on the number of graduates.
Several groups are planning a protest from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday outside the Cellular Center to address a range of issues including health care, the border wall, immigration wall, corruption, ties to Russia and the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, according to Chris Schwartz, an organizer for Americans for Democratic Action Iowa.
l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com