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 Organization's 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 - Public Policy - Promoted the policy development process getting over 200 members to participate through electronic surveys. Jefferson County Farm Bureau volunteers met with elected officials at a State, National, and Local level to promote agriculture and advocate for issues important to members. Issues included property tax relief, rural safety, and secondary roads.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Education and Agriculture in the Classroom - Promoted scholarship opportunities for members awarding four scholarships to high school seniors in 2022. Sponsored local young farmer members to attend the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference and partnered with Southeastern Community College to offer a Collegiate Farm Bureau program to assist students with leadership development, educational opportunities in the fields of conservation and commodity markets. Hired a paid staff member to enhance the County Agriculture in the Classroom program, where students from all the public-school distrcits in Jefferson County participated. Hosted 32 high school students from Jefferson County at the Iowa State Capitol to learn about their role in local government and the impact it has on their communities. Provided Farm Safety training to youth during the local County Fair.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Public Relations - Organized a promotion to support local food pantry's during National Agriculture Week in March and took part in marketing opportunities at farmers' markets and libraries to tell the story of agriculture. Partnered with local commodity organizations to show the economic impact of Jefferson County Agriculture. Sponsored two community programs to highlight the positive generational impact of Jefferson County Agriculture.”