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, getting members to participate through electronic or paper surveys. Dickinson 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. Members represented the County Farm Bureau on school task forces to work on school finance and long-term planning that directly affects property taxes of Dickinson County members.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Education and Agriculture in the Classroom - Promoted scholarship opportunities for members, awarding two scholarships to high school seniors in 2024. Sponsored local young farmer members to attend the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference to assist members with leadership development, educational opportunities in the fields of conservation and commodity markets. Enhanced the County Agriculture in the Classroom program, where students from all the public school districts in Dickinson County participated. We also host Ag Days at the Jones Dairy Farm every spring for all schools.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Public Relations - Organized a promotion to support local food pantries during National Agriculture Week in March and participated in marketing opportunities at farmers markets and libraries to tell the story of agriculture. We also attend the farmers market at Arnolds Park to promote the importance of agriculture. During Ag Week we partner with the agent to do trivia questions.”