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 emails encouraging the advancement of member policy to their legislators. Volunteers attended a Day at the Capitol to meet lawmakers and keep member policy a priority.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Education - Promoted scholarship opportunities to members, awarding scholarships to high school seniors. The Company promoted resources and grant opportunities to local teachers. The organization 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 advanced Agriculture in the Classroom program. Students from school districts in the County participated. The Countys Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator reached hundreds of students across the countys schools, providing more than a dozen lessons in each participating classroom by direction from the board. Participated in monthly educational activities such as, Beef Month in May. Board member volunteers provided hands-on education to third graders on farm equipment safety during Safety Day Camp.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Public Relations - Organized a promotion to support local food pantries during National Agriculture Week in March through an activity called Cram the Cab, sending monetary donations and goods to the food banks. Sponsored multiple radio segments on agriculture, including an agriculture trivia contest. Sponsored County Fair package to impact community fairgoer experience interacting with local agriculture. Donated wood-chip bedding to participants with livestock in the County Fair. The company hosted an annual meeting and appreciation event attended by hundreds.”