The Iowa Lakes Community College Farm Laboratory was conceived by the Agricultural Staff in 1972-73 under the direction of Dr. Marvin Hoskey. As the plans were being formulated  for a land and livestock laboratory, an Iowa Lakes Farm Foundation (a nonprofit corporation) was developed to govern the new farm laboratory. This foundation membership was comprised of men and women involved in the agricultural industry from the five-county area being served by Iowa Lakes Community College. 

The original Farm Foundation Board of Directors were:

President: Paul A. Neppel, Dolliver     Vice President: Rodney Graham, Lake Park     Secretary: Marvin Hoskey, Emmetsburg     Treasurer: Gary Hughes, Emmetsburg     Directors: Francis Dodds, Algona Riley Gillette, Spencer Kenneth Kassel, Ayrshire John Ley, Algona Darwin Myrick, Spirit Lake Lois Stillman, Emmetsburg Andre G. Torkelson, Elmore, Minn.

The Iowa Lakes Community College Farm Management teaching staff that were directly involved in setting up and operating the farm with their students in the Spring of 1973 were:  Tom Hayden, Roger Hare and Burlin Matthews.  

In 1972, the Farm Foundation signed a 15- year contract with Dr. Howard McCutchen, a Missouri State Veterinarian, for the purchase of the 360 acres that currently serves as the Iowa Lakes Community College Farm laboratory. 

Only two of the original buildings remain on the farm today. They are the farm shop and the farmhouse. In the late 1800s the farmhouse was a stage coach stop for early settlers in the Emmetsburg area.