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 - Mahaska 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. We also collect input from members at the annual Sweet Corn Serenade, where the topics are discussed with board members in the Farm Bureau Park. We hold a meeting to discuss the results of that opinionnaire. From this input, our resolutions are created. These resolutions are then shared with the membership through the Spokesman and email.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Ag Promotion - Mahaska County has been very active in promoting agriculture. We have been a long-time sponsor of the youth exhibitor dinner at the county fair. Volunteers promote and serve dinner at the fair. We purchase livestock at the fair to support the youth. We are the sole sponsor of the broiler chicken project. We are promoters of the Governors Steer Show. We also sponsored the Bacon Buddies Pig Show during the fair. We sponsored the supreme showmanship competition. Mahaska County Farm Bureau sponsors the Sweet Corn Serenade. We support the youth at the fair by purchasing livestock at the fair auction. Mahaska County works with the local radio station during Ag Week for pointed promotions. We support county proms, shooting sports, and other fundraisers.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Ag in the Classroom - Mahaska County has an Ag in the Classroom Coordinator that visits the 3rd grade classrooms once a month during the school year. We also do video farm chats with the classrooms. We hold an Ag Day at the fairgrounds at the end of the school year with several agricultural presentations on various topics. We have started many little farm hands with many stations for simulating farming that children go through and plant the crop, then harvest the crop for a learning experience.”

“Sherwin Plate and Kristin Plate have a family relationship. Mike Jackson and Mary Beth Jackson have a family relationship. Eric Sanders and Sara Sims have a family relationship.”