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 - Education - The Company communicated with teachers, educators and schools promoting resources and grant opportunities to incorporate agriculture into the classroom. The Company communicates with guidance counselors in three local schools providing them with information to distribute to students for three scholarships for county students totaling $1,500. They have a strong Ag In The Classroom program where the coordinator works with local schools promoting agriculture education to elementary school students at three local schools.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Policy Development - The Company asked members to surface and prioritize issues that are important to local ag operations. They then created an opinionnaire to be distributed to the membership to gauge the importance of local, state and national issues. The Company developed county resolutions of importance to be delivered by the voting delegate to the state delegate body. Member leaders also engaged with local, state and national elected officials to lobby for the policies important to the ag community.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Promotions - The Company is active in the promotion of Agriculture to the members and the local community. The Company has purchased radio advertising at two local radio stations to promote agriculture to all people of the area. They sponsor the Women Gaining Ground Conference. They sponsored Battle of the Bulls in Sidney and promoted the company by working to obtain memberships. They participated in a local parade handing out water bottles with county ag facts.”