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 - Policy Development - A priority of our organization is policy development and policy implementation that is relevant to our members and the agricultural community. During the year, members are asked to surface ideas important to them, their business, and/or their rural community. They are also asked to complete a survey, sharing feedback on the topics that were submitted. These ideas are considered for future organizational policy. A committee reviews the information that is submitted, and all Farm Bureau members are invited to join in on the process further by discussing the topics and information with the committee at the Policy Development Meeting. The Voting Delegate representing the organization shares the policies and topics put together by their county at the statewide policy development conference. State-adopted policies are lobbied for with intent to be implemented as soon as possible. Nationally adopted policies are presented at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting by the Iowa Voting Delegates. Members also meet with county personnel (Supervisors, Engineer, etc.) throughout the year to stay abreast of the issues the county is facing and encourage the elected officials to keep agriculture top of mind when they are making decisions affecting our rural community.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Ag in the Classroom - The County Farm Bureau has an employee that focuses a percentage of time on Ag in the Classroom programming and opportunities for the residents in Guthrie County. The programming reached 400 students throughout the year to teach them about agriculture. Book donations were made to the public and school libraries in the county. The county offered agriculture-focused-hand-on STEM activities to all youth in Guthrie County during their summer break. The County offers scholarships to graduating seniors. The County Farm Bureau keeps in communication with educators, FFA Advisors, and schools, promoting resources and grant opportunities available to incorporate agriculture in their classrooms.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Agriculture Promotions - The County Farm Bureau participated in and sponsored a variety of events and opportunities throughout the year to promote agriculture in our community. We celebrate National Ag Week during the month of March by hosting a Grocery Cart Races event to support the food pantries in the county and raise awareness about food insecurity in the county. The County Farm Bureau participated in a variety of events throughout the year to promote agriculture in our community, including handing out agriculture-themed treats during local community parades and sharing Guthrie County information at the local farmers market. The county hosts an opportunity to support the county fair by hosting our Member Appreciation Event during the fair. We also host a supper for all County Fair Exhibitors and host the Pedal Pull event during County Fair weekend. We also support, financially, many events, educational programs, and opportunities throughout the year.”

“Contract labor 23295.”