20 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 ICELAND The Land of Fire and Ice PETE MCCLYMONT, LINCOLN NC MEMBER / TOUR PARTICIPANT The 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Executive Travel tour of Iceland provided another successful, exciting trip abroad to a breathtaking location for fellow agriculturalists. For those who have visited Iceland, you are fully aware of the beauty and power of this country that straddles the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This phenomenon causes volcanic eruptions that Iceland is well noted for. As Nebraska natives, we keep a watchful eye on the weather – snow and ice storms, high winds and tornados to name a few. In Iceland, the people are also very cognizant of weather fluctuations and pay close attention to seismic activity in addition to other typical weather changes. As an example, the day before we arrived in Iceland, glacial flooding caused a major bridge and a portion of the country’s primary highway to wash out. Additionally, our tour guide explained that an eruption from Iceland’s volcanoes was imminent. That seemed very threatening to us Midwesterners, but it is a normal occurrence to Iceland residents. The people of Iceland were a highlight of the tour and at every stop, we were treated wonderfully. Communication was never a problem as English is spoken throughout the country in addition to their native language. Tourism is far and away Iceland’s No. 1 industry, so throughout the tour, it was normal to notice travelers from all corners of the world. Iceland has its own currency since it is not a member of the European Union (EU); however, it is connected to the EU via the European Economic Area agreement and European Free Trade Association. As our travel guide said, “We have active relations with the EU but without the mandate of their expensive programs, mostly social.” Like most countries, especially during the tourism season, Iceland has a great need for labor for almost all tasks. Our tour guide grew up in Germany, then Sweden before becoming an Iceland citizen. Our primary bus driver was originally from France, and our last bus driver was from Poland. Iceland is very resourceful and innovative at harnessing the naturally occurring geothermal and hydropower energy. All the country’s electricity is generated – 30 percent from geothermal and 70 percent from hydropower. Also, 90 percent of the country’s hot water and heating is captured from geothermal sources. The country’s second largest industry is the production of aluminum due to abundant and inexpensive energy. Iceland’s renewable energy makes it very attractive for metal producers focused on their carbon footprint. Iceland’s electric grid runs entirely from renewable energy. We visited an incredible renewable energy plant that was harnessed from geothermal sources. Iceland’s agricultural sector is not comparable to a Nebraska agriculture profile as it’s at a similar latitude as Nome, Alaska. PEOPLE Photos from left to right: Icelandic horses are a unique genetic equine, with roots back to Scandinavian horses. The fault line of the tectonic plates of Europe/Scandinavia and North America. Owners of a farm directly below an Iceland volcano explain their operation to tour participants.
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