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 - Public Policy - Promoted the issue surfacing and issue prioritization process by getting grassroots members to participate through electronic surveys. Board members used member input to develop policy positions, followed by the organizations Voting Delegate representing the County Farm Bureaus policy position at the Summer Policy Adoption Conference. Volunteers met with elected officials at the state, national, and local level to promote agriculture and advocate for the advancement of issues important to members. The board met with the County Board of Supervisors and other local officials to discuss the importance of agriculture and improving the condition of the county. Members educated and advocated Farm Bureau policy to the County Board of Supervisors. Board Members responded to call-to-action email requests encouraging the advancement of member policy to their legislators. Volunteers attend a Day at the Capitol to meet lawmakers and keep member policy a priority.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Education - Promoted scholarship opportunities for members, awarding scholarships to high school seniors. Promoted resources and grant opportunities to local teachers. The county advertised or sponsored members to attend various Iowa Farm Bureau conferences. Advocated for attendance at the Young Farmer Conference to engage the next generation in leadership development, educational opportunities, and involvement in our policy process. The county has an Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program, where students from local schools and libraries participated. The countys Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator reached students across the countys schools, providing hands-on lessons in each participating classroom. Participated in monthly educational activities such as Beef Month in May. The organization actively promoted educational opportunities and conferences in the surrounding area through a weekly newspaper and on social media. Board member volunteers provided lessons to 4th grade students on the importance and impact of agriculture in Pocahontas County. Engaged in a water quality and testing program partnership with the local FFA chapter.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Public Relations - Organized a promotion to support local food pantries. Donated supplies and volunteer time serving a meal to the county fairgoers and participants. Sponsored harvest bag program with partnerships with a local food industry and farmer cooperatives, reaching area farmers and field workers with meals during the busy season. Sponsored local radio advertisements to engage the public in agriculture and to encourage the support of agricultural production. Used print media and social media to advertise National Ag Week to the public. Members sponsored and conducted the Agriculture Trivia contest during a basketball game halftime at competing schools within the county and sponsored popcorn for the school booster club. Sponsored wood chips to county fair participants and donated towards new gates for livestock showmanship participants. A tractor pull contest was held, providing medals for different age group winners, impacting 70 families.”