Quad-Cities Biz Bytes for Oct. 27, 2024

Mel Foster Co. launches a new real estate school, Blain's Farm and Fleet's online store named to "Best Online Shops" list and more.

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Mel Foster Co. has launched the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate.

The new venture provides aspiring real estate professionals with the education and skills to launch careers and excel in today’s market. The Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate offers a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics such as property law, market analysis, negotiation strategies, professionalism and ethical practices, and cutting-edge real estate technology.



Classes will be led by seasoned industry professionals. “We are thrilled to open the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate,” said Talent Acquisition and Agent Development Director Carie Nesbitt.

“As the real estate landscape continues to evolve, the need for well-trained, knowledgeable agents is greater than ever. Our goal is to equip students with the tools they need to succeed and positively impact their communities.” Students will benefit from flexible class schedules, both in-person and online learning options, and ongoing support from Mel Foster Co.

's network of real estate professionals. Mel Foster Co. is committed to nurturing local talent and fostering growth within the communities it serves.

With the launch of this school, the company further solidifies its role as a leader in real estate services and education and professional development. For more information, visit or email . MercyOne will conduct a statewide virtual hiring event for night shift nursing positions from Oct.

28 to Nov. 1. Interested candidates can reserve a spot to chat with a recruiter about the available night shift nursing positions at MercyOne Medical Centers include: AgWorks, FieldReveal, and Premier Crop Systems have joined forces to offer a next-generation spatial analytics platform designed to clearly understand return on investment per acre called HighQ+.

This offering will provide ag retailers with powerful tools to process, clean, and analyze data from each independent application their customers make throughout the season, delivering critical insights to their growers. With HighQ+, ag retailers can harness analytics to make informed decisions that enhance productivity and efficiency in a challenging economic climate and better understand the financial impact of each input and application. Key Features of HighQ+: "As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, farmers need more than just data – they need actionable insights," said Greg Duhachek of McGregor Technologies.

"By partnering with and leveraging the strength of AgWorks, FieldReveal, and Premier Crop Systems, we’re delivering a game-changing service that gives farmers the tools they need to stay competitive in a volatile market." The new offering became available in October, tying together agronomics and economics in time to use 2024 harvest data. Ag retailers interested in learning more about the service can contact their local AgWorks, FieldReveal, or Premier Crop representative or visit .

Blain's Farm & Fleet’s website, , has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Online Shops for 2025, for the fourth year. Newsweek’s rankings are based on an objective evaluation and an online survey of over 3,000 American shoppers. Winners are determined by 36 objective and 10 subjective criteria, including trust and security, usability, customer service and payment options.

climbed two spots this year, rising from ninth to seventh in the Universal Provider category. This award recognizes Blain's Farm & Fleet’s dedication to making shopping easy and accessible for its neighbors, whether in-store or online. Its website, , and mobile app offer convenient options, including buy-online with drive-thru pickup, ship-to-home, and same-day delivery.

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