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 - Marion County Farm Bureau values the input from its membership to create meaningful policy for the organization. We send out an opinionnaire to members via mail and email. Once the information is collected, the results are tabulated, and resolutions are created. The resolutions are presented and discussed at the annual meeting.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Ag Promotion - Marion County has been very active in promotion of agriculture. We have been a long-time sponsor of the youth livestock exhibitors at the county fair. Marion County Farm Bureau Sponsors Farm Bureau Day at the fair that brings in many individuals for the promotion of agriculture. We sponsor the skid steer rodeo. We serve ice cream and root beer. We support the youth at the fair by purchasing livestock at the fair auction. We are the title sponsor of the Ag in the City event in Pella, which is their largest Thursday night event of the year. We have many agriculture displays to promote agriculture. We have livestock, machinery, agriculture education, a corn pile for kids to play in, and great agriculture products to be served at the producer booths. We support many of the local town celebrations and play an active role when possible.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Ag in the Classroom - Marion County has an Ag in the Classroom Coordinator that visits the third-grade classrooms once a month during the school year. We are expanding ag in the classroom by visiting the 4th and 5th grade classrooms in various schools as the opportunity becomes available. Topics vary from corn and beans, to wool, to pigs, cattle, and poultry. We also have video farm chats with the third grade and local farmers. We hold an Ag Day each year for all the fourth graders in the county with about ten vendors present on agricultural topics.”

“Contract labor 16925.”