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 - Agriculture in the Classroom - The main focus of Cerro Gordo County Farm Bureau and the direction of its board of directors has been the spread of Agriculture in the Classroom. This happens in many forms; one is the donations to the countys three FFA Clubs at Clear Lake High School, West Fork High School and Central Springs. Another form is the countys support of North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom (NCIAITC) and its membership dues. NCIAITC teaches every elementary student in the county about how agriculture affects their lives. The other avenue that the County Farm Bureau uses is its Ag Fair. The Ag Fair is for all 500+ 4th graders in the county.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Relations/Community Outreach - As a membership organization, the Cerro Gordo County Farm Bureau serves its membership and its community by putting on many events and educational opportunities. The county hosted two educational seminars related to agriculture and held a picnic at the county fair as appreciation to the membership, in conjunction with a can drive for the local food bank. The county heads a Shopping Cart Race to promote the local food bank and helped raise awareness for that purpose.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Policy - As a policy organization, the County Farm Bureau hosts many informational events to form its county policy and to bring their policy to the awareness of many local, county, state, and federal officials. The county hosts its annual business meeting to solidify its policy and hosts many meet-and-greats with local officials.”

“Kilah Watson and Joel Watson have a family relationship. Charlie Norris and Todd Cash have a family relationship. Kevin Sutcliffe and Keith Sutcliffe have a family relationship. Eric Arthur and Sean Arthur have a family relationship. Lexi Sheriff and Luci Sheriff have a family relationship.”