Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

“The organization has members. Any person may be a county Farm Bureau member. All county Farm Bureau members have voting rights and the same access to member benefits.”

“The organizations members elect the Board of Directors.”

“Certain rights are reserved to members of the organization, including: 1) elect the Board of Directors, including the voting delegate to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, 2) adopt amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, and 3) adopt amendments to those bylaws designated as member bylaws.”

“Management reviews the documents and presents the return to all members of the governing body. Following final board approval, the return is signed by an officer and submitted to the IRS.”

“On an annual basis, all officers, directors, and key employees are required to sign a statement which affirms that they have: 1) received a copy of the conflict of interest policy, 2) read and understood the policy, 3) agreed to comply with the policy, 4) understand that the Organization is tax-exempt and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish its tax-exempt purpose. A sub-committee, comprised of non-conflicted Board of Directors, annually receives all conflict of interest information, reviews, and determines if there are conflicts of interest. The committee then reports its findings back to the Board.”

“The Organization does not make its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, or financial statements available for public inspection. Pursuant to state law, some documents may be available to members.”

“Part III, Line 4a - Agricultural Education - The company employs an Ag in the Classroom Coordinator who is very active in all the schools in our county. All teachers in our county were provided with a list of programs and activities prior to the school year. The teachers let the coordinator know what programs and activities they would like to participate in. Throughout the entire year, the coordinator made over 3,000 student contacts. The coordinator taught students about watersheds, cotton, animals, food, crops, and so much more. The company also employs an Outreach Coordinator that works with the countys middle schools to teach lessons that bridge science and agriculture. The company also works closely with FFA students at different events and projects and provides them with advice on different career development events. Additionally, the county hires North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom that teaches students about agriculture during their Ag Weeks. They interacted with 840 students in our county. The Floyd County Farm Bureau awards scholarships to graduating seniors planning to pursue a career in agriculture or supporting the rural community.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Community Promotions - The company was very active in developing relationships in the community to bridge the rural/urban differences. The company sponsored a pork-bundle giveaway to the community to encourage them to eat pork products as well as teach them about how pork is produced in Iowa. The board was active at the county fair through an ice cream social. The organization sponsors Ag Week information on social media accounts. The company sponsors one Party in the Park town celebration event. Volunteers inform community members about Farm Bureau and share fun agriculture facts and activities.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Policy Development - The company has a very engaged Board of Directors and committee structure to develop policy and then implement those policies. Company members take pride in their process of inviting members to submit issues that are important to agriculture. These ideas are filtered through a process which ultimately allows our members to be actively involved and participate. The companys Policy Committee then evaluates the response and develops a draft resolution reflecting the members input. Members of the company were invited to share input, and then a special policy meeting was held to discuss and amend (if desired) and adopt as an official policy. The companys voting delegate then champions those resolutions at the annual statewide policy adoption conference. The organization then lobbies for enactment of polices, regulations, and laws to support those adopted resolutions. Success in this company is achieved by being actively engaged in activities at all levels of the government at all counties, state, and national level. The company also invited a County Board of Supervisor, County Auditor, and County Assessor to different board meetings, where they discussed current events at the county level and ways the company can continue to be involved. A town hall is hosted in partnership with the Chamber and local REC. Locally, the Board of Directors developed a questionnaire to inform voters about the County Auditor race. Responses were published in the Spokesman and local papers. They also researched and published information to inform voters about the EMS vote that appeared on the ballot.”