Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

“Any person may be a Farm Bureau member. All Farm Bureau members have the same vote and access to member benefits.”

“The Organizations members elect the Board of Directors each year at the annual meeting. In order to hold an officer position within Farm Bureau, the member must be actively engaged in farming, which must be his/her primary interest.”

“Decisions of the governing body subject to approval by members include setting annual membership dues and nominating voting delegates to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.”

“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 water sheds, cotton, animals, food, crops, and so much more. The company also works closely with FFA students at different events, projects, and provides them with advice on different career development events. Additionally, they hire North Central Iowa AITC to present lessons in middle schools. The county also provided scholarships to graduating seniors.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Community Promotions - The company was very active in developing relationships in the community to bridge the rural/urban differences. The board is active at the county fair through an ice cream social as well as hosting the morning show - a live remote with the radio, on Friday of the fair. The organization sponsors Ag Week radio promotions which include information on Farm Bureau, agriculture, and ag in the classroom efforts. Live interviews are conducted daily during Ag Week. The CFB sponsors one Party in the Park town celebration event. Volunteers inform community members about Farm Bureau and share fund 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, which 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 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 county, state, and national level. The company also invited a County Board of Supervisor, County Auditor, and County Assessor to different board meetings, they discussed current happenings 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.”

“As previously reported in our annual group exemption letter dated August 1, 2023, Article VI, Sections 2 and 2.1 of the bylaws of Floyd County Farm Bureau were amended to at-large director positions.”