A LOOK INSIDE:
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Supporting Iowa’s Farmers for the Last Twenty Years
EDUCATION
The Future of Agriculture
RESEARCH
Taking Flight Towards Iowa’s Future with Sustainable Aviation
Fuel
FARMER FEATURE
Local Leader: Kerri Bell
ICPB DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) helps grow a responsible Iowa livestock industry one family at a time. For Iowa Corn, CSIF is a valuable partnership and program with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation, Midwest Dairy and North Central Poultry Association, to keep the livestock industry thriving in our state.
This year, CSIF is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Since the Coalition was founded, it has provided farm families with specialized assistance so they can make responsible changes to their livestock operations to stay economically viable.
“What makes the Coalition so unique is that we believe in sitting across from a farmer at their kitchen table to really get an understanding of each individual situation,” said CSIF Executive Director, Brian Waddingham. “For the past 20 years, the Coalition has filled a critical need in working with livestock farmers in an unbiased and confidential manner and helping them work through all aspects of starting or growing a livestock farm. We want to help grow farms in a responsible and successful manner that will provide a significant boost not only to the farmer but to their community and quality of life as well.”
CSIF works alongside Iowa farm families to help them navigate rules and regulations, assess open feedlots, grow their livestock farms, site new livestock facilities and enhance relationships with neighbors. All services are available to Iowa farm families at no cost and are completely confidential.
In addition to these services, CSIF also has the Green Farmstead Partner Program, which is celebrating its 15th year of helping farmers. Together with 25 nurseries around the state, this program works to use landscaping to safeguard air, soil and water quality by giving farmers guidance and assistance with planting trees and shrubs on their farm.
One of the most well-known Coalition programs is the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, which is presented alongside the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and The Big Show, to recognize livestock farmers in the state who take pride in what they do and go above and beyond to be good stewards of the land and caretakers of their livestock.
Through the last 20 years, CSIF has had a lasting impact on Iowa farmers. The Coalition has helped more than 5,300 farm families here in the state, planted 80,000 trees and shrubs and awarded 179 families with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.
“Programs like CSIF not only help the livestock industry here in our state but also have a positive impact for us as corn farmers,” said Jerod Flaherty, Iowa Corn Animal Agriculture and The Environment Committee Chair, farmer and livestock producer from Clarke County. “Livestock is a top consumer of corn here in Iowa and it is important to continue supporting programs that help all farmers succeed in our state.”
Iowa Corn is grateful for the work that the Coalition has done over the past 20 years for Iowa’s farmers, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together in the future.
To learn more, go to iowacorn.org/csif.
At Iowa Corn, we have seen time and time again that the best way to make an impact on the future is to engage with the youth that surround us in the present. That is exactly why we have made it a priority to partner with the FFA at both the state and local levels across Iowa.
It almost goes without saying that the partnership between Iowa Corn and the Iowa FFA Association is an obvious one. At Iowa Corn, we are focused on the future of agriculture and are committed to helping corn farmers of our state leave the land better than they found it for future generations of farmers.
Education is a key priority for the corn checkoff, and teaching our state’s youth and building deep connections through organizations like FFA allows us to spread the messages of Iowa Corn further and create lasting networks with the next generation.
“One of the biggest things I learned in FFA was about building relationships and connecting with people. Through my participation in FFA, I made lots of connections that helped me in the future. This partnership just makes sense for Iowa Corn,” said Adam Bierbaum, ICGA District 7 Director and Grassroots Network, Membership and Checkoff Committee Chair.
At the state level, Iowa Corn supports the Iowa FFA Association through multiple efforts that aim to empower young people interested in agriculture. One of the largest events Iowa Corn supports is the annual Iowa FFA Leadership Conference, which serves as a hub for networking, education and provides a platform for young people to explore opportunities in agriculture. Iowa Corn brings the Iowa Corn Trailer to have conversations with attendees about the 4,000 products corn is in and the mission of the organization.
Iowa Corn’s involvement extends beyond just sponsorship – it actively participates in organizing statewide competitions and events that
showcase the diverse facets of corn farming and the agriculture industry.
Iowa Corn is known for our grassroots approach to education and that continues with our strategy for creating strong ties with local FFA chapters throughout the state. This is why Iowa Corn seeks out opportunities that make sense for each district and avoids a cookie-cutter approach to these partnerships.
“The future of agriculture depends on these relationships. It’s important to showcase and get young people involved at whatever level they can,” said Kristen Akers, Iowa Corn District 7 Field Manager.
District Field Managers across the state, create spaces such as the Youth Corn Team program, which allows FFA members, along with other students interested in learning more about agriculture, opportunities to see the impacts of corn farming and agriculture in our state firsthand. From leading them through the entire farmto-table process to educating students on different corn uses and even giving them a behind-the-scenes look at how agriculture communication is handled through media, these opportunities give students a better understanding of what the industry and the work of Iowa Corn look like at all levels.
Along with the commitment to events across the state, Iowa Corn collaborates with FFA chapters to offer scholarship opportunities for students pursuing higher education in agriculture-related fields. These scholarships serve to create a passionate workforce dedicated to improving and advancing corn farming, research and innovation.
Whether through state-level initiatives, local engagement, educational partnerships or scholarship opportunities, Iowa Corn’s collaboration with FFA is a testament to the dedication to the future of agriculture in Iowa. Together, we are creating a legacy that’s built on inspiring youth in agriculture and that’s pretty exciting.
As our world continues its journey towards a more sustainable future, new solutions are emerging. In the aviation sector, one groundbreaking solution that’s inching closer and closer to Iowa is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). As the leader in ethanol production, creating nearly 30% of all U.S. ethanol, Iowa stands to play a crucial role in the production of SAF, presenting new opportunities for Iowa’s farmers and the state’s economy.
UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel that can be produced from renewable feedstocks (such as ethanol), waste material and carbon dioxide gas. Unlike traditional jet fuel, SAF significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. The aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability has led to increased interest and investment in SAF as a key component of its efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
IOWA’S POTENTIAL ROLE IN SAF PRODUCTION:
With Iowa’s position as the #1 producer of corn in the U.S., it is uniquely positioned to significantly contribute to the production of SAF. With the current carryout of nearly 2.2 billion bushels of corn, the challenge is to find new opportunities, such as SAF, to utilize corn. However, with any new innovative solution, there are challenges to overcome. Currently, no Iowa ethanol plant has a carbon intensity (CI) score low enough to qualify as
an SAF feedstock. It’s crucial for the state to address this gap to fully harness the potential of our corn to be used for SAF production.
“As a corn farmer, and a farmer whose son is working on our family farm, a demand like SAF is just what the next generation of farmers needs,” shared Dan Keitzer ICGA District 9 Director and Industrial Usage and Production Committee Chair. “If we can’t get there, individuals like my son are going to have to look for other career choices, which will affect local economics, rural communities and schools of small town Iowa.”
A study conducted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) found that with SAF, a typical 1000-acre farm could see a rise in farm income by more than $11,000. By not seizing the SAF opportunity, Iowa and its corn farmers could face huge consequences as corn production continues to outpace demand, such as a slashing of farm revenues by nearly $10 billion per year and farm income cut by $60,240 for a typical 1000-acre farm.
“The ethanol industry must get its carbon score lower to participate in the SAF market. Ethanol must be at a 50 grams Co2e / megajoule for a CI score to qualify for incentives and most plants in Iowa today are well above this. There are various ways to do this, including carbon utilization, capture and sequestration, climate smart farming practices, just to name a few,” shared Ryan Sauer, Vice President of Market Development at Iowa Corn.
To overcome the current limitations our state is facing from being a key player in SAF production, Iowa must focus on several key areas, including:
Investing in Research and Technology: Supporting research and development initiatives aimed to enhance the efficiency of ethanol production processes and reducing CI scores. Collaboration between organizations like Iowa Corn and the government can facilitate the development of innovative solutions.
Education: Many airlines are unfamiliar with agriculture production practices, which is why it is important for farmers to interact with these companies. Iowa Corn has had the opportunity to meet with many of the large airlines as well as a few of the SAF producers to share how corn is grown sustainably and responsibly. In addition, Iowa Corn has shared that U.S. farmers are efficient at growing corn to meet fuel, feed and food needs. Iowa Corn will continue to share the story so that airlines understand the role agriculture can have in helping them meet their decarbonization goals.
Advocacy: Iowa Corn will continue to advocate for our farmers and the ability to create an environment that incentivizes SAF production. Iowa Corn fully understands that support for investments in low-carbon technologies, infrastructure development and market incentives can stimulate progress in the industry.
The adoption of SAF holds promise for our state’s economy in several areas, but it would all start with the Iowa corn farmer. Increased demand for biofuel feedstocks can stimulate the agriculture sector,
providing farmers with new markets for corn. Additionally, the construction of SAF infrastructure has the potential to provide 35,000 jobs in the state of Iowa, add almost $2.3 billion to Iowa’s income and boost Iowa’s GDP by more than $3 billion.
“SAF production is so crucial to the state of Iowa that it’s almost mind-boggling. I am very hopeful that together we can get it done. We just need to keep clearing hurdles, but I genuinely feel we are on the right track.
Iowa Corn is dedicated to our mission of creating opportunities for long-term Iowa
corn grower profitability and SAF fits that goal,” said Keitzer.
Ultimately, SAF production in Iowa could mean economic growth and new market access for Iowa’s corn farmers. With a variety of perks that could come from this endeavor, the biggest and most immediate would be the benefit to the farmers’ bottom lines, which would positively affect the entire state of Iowa. When Iowa’s agricultural community does well, our entire state benefits and that’s something we can all get behind.
Alocal leader is defined as someone who cares deeply about the community, implements initiatives and helps to shape local development. To some that may be the local mayor, maybe the fire chief, a farmer who is engaged on many agriculture boards and even your elementary school teacher.
Each year local leaders are recognized at the Iowa Corn Annual Grassroots Summit for going above and beyond to get involved and engaged with Iowa Corn at the local level, creating a real impact in their local communities. This year’s recipient of the Local Leader Award is Kerri Bell.
Kerri lives in Keota, Iowa, with her husband, Lance, and farms alongside their two daughters, Ellie and Sophie. On their farm they grow corn and soybeans,
implement cover crops and have a cow-calf herd.
Many who know Kerri would define her as an active community member. She serves on the Washington/Keokuk County Corn Growers Board where she is the secretary and chair of the Friends and Field Party committee. At the state level, she serves on the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, Membership and Checkoff Committee (GNMC) and is a CommonGround Iowa volunteer. Lance and Kerri are also involved in the Iowa Soybean Association being a part of the Soybean Leader Network and Communications Squad.
That’s not where she stops, Kerri is also heavily involved in 4-H. During the summer she travels to over ten county fairs and the Iowa State Fair to judge 4-H members static projects. She is a
big advocate for the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation and Agriculture in the Classroom program where she also serves on the Read Across Iowa Committee representing elementary teachers across the state. This is all in addition to her fulltime role as a second-grade teacher and farming along with her family.
Kerri’s passion has always been working with and helping grow youth. While teaching has changed throughout her 29 years, 27 of which have been her current position at Mid-Prairie, Kerri still finds it rewarding every day.
“For me, farming and teaching are very similar just with opposite growing seasons,” shared Kerri. “In the fall when Lance is harvesting our crop, I am just planting the seed with my students, and in the spring when he is planting in the fields,
I am harvesting the work of the past year with my students.”
Volunteering and being active within the community have always come naturally to Kerri. Growing up in agriculture Kerri got involved not only in the farm but was involved in 4-H and FFA, which she contributes to making her who she is today.
Kerri and Lance have been active Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members for several years. Once they were asked to be ICGA members they jumped in, getting involved in many opportunities. Through their involvement they have been able to meet some amazing people and make their involvement in Iowa Corn a family affair, bringing along their daughters to many of the events and jump-starting their paths of involvement in Iowa Corn as well.
“When you are passionate about what you do, you put in the time and get involved,” shared Kerri. “Because whether it is farming, teaching or giving back, it is not about the hours you put in but what you get out.”
The future of the Bell farm is bright. After graduating from Iowa State, Sophie and Ellie both returned home to be a part of the farming operation. Kerri shares that she is
“
When you are passionate about what you do, you put in the time and get involved. Because whether it is farming, teaching or giving back, it is not about the hours you put in but what you get out.
“
proud the girls are following in their footsteps while also pushing the farm to the next level.
Kerri was nominated for the Local Leader Award at the 2023 Grassroots Summit. Local leaders from Washington/Keokuk shared this about Kerri: “Her time commitment and dedication are exceptional, and our county could not do even half of what is done without her. Alone, she has put in more hours and effort than the rest of our board put together. She is constantly looking for ways to promote corn on the local level and does a fantastic job doing so.”
“Kerri is a fantastic example of what it means to be a local leader. Her dedication to both her local board and representing at the state level, shows just how committed she is to the work of ICGA,” shared Adam Bierbaum Chair of the GNMC Committee and farmer from Cass County. “It is individuals like Kerri, that make our grassroots membership as strong and impactful as it is. We encourage all to engage and get involved locally with ICGA, your voice matters.”
Iowa Corn would like to thank Kerri for her involvement and dedication to promoting corn and her community. It is strong local leaders like her that take our organization to the next level.
At Iowa Corn, we do many things. We develop and defend markets for corn across the globe. We fund research that unearths new uses for corn. And we spearhead education and promotional efforts to communicate the many benefits and uses of corn and corn products. Why do we do what we do? Because we believe in the corn growers of Iowa. What corn farmers do impacts people worldwide, and it’s our mission to support corn farmers’ interests. We’re here to work for the corn farmer. And we’re proud to do it.
TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF CORN TO SUSTAINABLY MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING WORLD
ICPB di rector elections are quickly approaching. Crop reporting districts 4, 8 and 9 are up for election. To request a petition or to learn more about the election process, please contact Iowa Corn: 5505 NW 88th Street, Johnston, Iowa 50131 or 515-225-9242. Visit iowacorn.org for further details and more information.
ICPB ELECTION TIMELINE:
March 28
April 9
April 24
May 22
June 17
July 9
Petitions will be available by request from the Iowa Corn office. Candidates who fill out petitions must also fill out the affidavit candidacy document.
D eadline for candidate names, district nominating committee forms and candidate bios are due to the Iowa Corn office.
A ll petitions for nominations are due to the Iowa Corn office by 4:30 pm.
Absentee ballots available for mailing.
D eadline for requesting absentee ballots.
E lections held at local county extension offices. Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before July 11.