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 over 300 members to participate through electronic surveys. Des Moines 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 - Agriculture Education - 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 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. Utilized paid staff to enhance the County Agriculture in the Classroom program, where students from all the school districts in Des Moines County participated.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Public Relations - Hosted an open house to promote the purpose and mission of the Des Moines County Farm Bureau and highlighted the importance of agriculture to Des Moines County. 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.”

“Keaton Keitzer and Kendra Meisgeier have a family relationship.”