Cass County Farm Bureau

“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 - Policy Development - A priority of our Organization is policy development and policy implementation that is relevant to our members and the agriculture community. During the year, members are asked to surface ideas important to them, business, and/or their rural community. They are also asked to complete a survey, sharing feedback of the topics that were submitted. These ideas a considered for future organizational policy. A committee reviews the information that is submitted, and all Farm Bureau members are invited to join in on the process further by discussing the topics and information with the committee at the Policy Development Meeting. The Voting Delegate representing the organization shares the policies and topics put together by their county at the state-wide policy development conference. State adopted policies are lobbied for with intent to be implemented as soon as possible. National adopted policies are presented at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting by the Iowa Voting Delegates. Members also meet with county personnel (Supervisors, Engineer, etc.) throughout the year to stay abreast of the issues the county is facing and encourage the elected officials to keep agriculture at front of mind when they are making decisions affecting our rural community.”

“Part III, Line 4b - Agriculture Education/Ag in the Classroom - The County Farm Bureau has an employee that focuses a percentage of time on Ag in the Classroom programming and opportunities for the residents in Cass County. The county Farm Bureau keeps in communication with educators, FFA Advisors and schools, promoting resources and grant opportunities available to incorporate agriculture in their classrooms. The county Farm Bureau hosts an agriculture focused day for all Cass County 3rd graders. The county Farm Bureau plans and presents agriculture education programming in the elementary classrooms. This year the impact was 810 elementary students in the county. Book donations were made to the public and school libraries in the county. Library programs were hosted during the summer focused on the theme of the book that was donated. The County provides scholarships for graduating seniors and supports the 4-H, FFA and other youth programs in the county.”

“Part III, Line 4c - Agriculture Promotions - The county Farm Bureau participated in and sponsored a variety of events and opportunities throughout the year to promote agriculture in our community. They make monetary donations to the food pantries in the county and host a coat/winter gear drive leading up to the winter months to be given to those in need. We celebrate National Ag Week during the month of March by hosting agriculture focused facts on our Facebook pages. The Organization partnered with local high school baseball & softball teams to provide chocolate milk after a sporting event, educating student athletes about the recovery drink. The county Farm Bureau also hosted Beef and Pork month promotions with the local grocery store and on social media. The county Farm Bureau hosts radio PSAs focusing on pertinent agriculture topics. We are involved in the Cass County Fair, providing monetary & event support. Cass County Farm Bureau supports financially, many events, educational programs and opportunities throughout the year.”

“Brent Bierbaum and Josh Bierbaum have a family relationship. Stacie Euken and Shane DeBord have a family relationship.”

“Contracted services 19908.”