Farm Bureau members from all 50 states and Puerto Rico gathered at the 106th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention this week in San Antonio, Texas to set the organization’s national policy direction for 2025 and recognize and celebrate the achievements of state Farm Bureaus.  Several Iowa policies were adopted, including updates to beginning farmer loan programs and support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) being the agency that determines the Carbon Intensity Scores for crop and livestock production, with agricultural groups being part of the process to determine the requirements.  

During the convention’s general session, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) was presented the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state Farm Bureau can be awarded for program and member achievement.   IFBF earned awards of Excellence in all four program areas for outstanding member programs and exceeding its membership goal in 2024.  The four program areas include: Advocacy, Coalitions and Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach and Leadership and Business Development.

“Earning the prestigious AFBF Pinnacle Award is a tremendous honor for our organization,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.  “The award is a testament to the strength of our grassroots organization and the value provided to our members through innovative programs and resources.”  

Kyle Larson of Humboldt County represented IFBF on the national stage during the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Discussion Meet earning placement in the Sweet 16 of the competition. The YF&R Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting with active discussion and participation.  Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic about agriculture and food production today.  Larson qualified for the competition by placing first in IFBF’s Young Farmer Discussion Meet held during the IFBF Annual Meeting in December.  

Along with Johnson, Iowa’s other voting delegates to the 2024 AFBF policy session were: IFBF Vice President Brian Feldpausch of Grundy County; District 6 director Joe Dierickx of Clinton County; Brent Lorimor of Fremont County; Randy Dreher of Audubon County; Brad Black of Calhoun County; Darrick Hall of Jones County; Bret Hays of Mills County and Beth Rachut of Mitchell County.  

Members attended workshops, panels and keynotes covering topics, including opportunities and challenges on the horizon for agriculture, outlook for an updated farm bill, strategies for managing farm succession planning and farmer perspectives on mental health.