Who We Are Iowa FFA Foundation
Board of Directors 2022-2023
Board Officers
President & Executive Committee Chair
President-Elect
Past President
Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Secretary, Iowa FFA Alumni & Supporters Representative
Commitee Chairs
FFA Enrichment Center
Team Ag. Ed. Partner Representatives
Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators
Iowa FFA Association
Iowa Professional Agricultural Students Jamie
Donor Representatives
Julianne Johnston, MorganMyers
Tim Kapucian, Kapucian Farms
Tammy Niemann, Rock Life Consulting
Keith Soltwedel, John Deere
Ex-Officio (non-voting) Members
Iowa FFA Association President (Student Officer)
Iowa PAS President (Student Officer)
Iowa FFA Association - Executive Director
Iowa Deaprtment of Education - State FFA/PAS Advisor
Iowa PAS - Executive Director
Dwayne
From the desk of the President
Another year has come and gone, but it can’t officially depart without a big THANK YOU! Thank you to all those that have partnered with the Iowa FFA Foundation in support of Ag Education and thank you to our future partners that will continue our mission of supporting agricultural education. I also want to thank our staff, board members, sub-committee members and volunteers for all their time and work in supporting our mission.
Highlights
One of our biggest highlights this past year was the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation donating $1,000,000 over the next 5 years to the Iowa FFA Foundation. This was an amazing show of support to the future of Iowa agricultural education. In February we hosted our 9th Annual Black Ties Blue Jackets Gala and set a record by raising almost $150,000. This was an amazing event filled with great friends and supporters of the Iowa FFA. If you were unable to make it last year, please mark your calendar for February 17, 2024, for our 10th annual event. We also hosted our 27th annual golf outing which came close to the record set in 2022 but fell just a little short. We had 29 teams participate and raised nearly $50,000. The highlights of the golf tournament this year were the signs all over the course informing participants how and where the funds raised are used in support of Iowa agriculture education and our future leaders.
Our Ask
Our ask is simple: how will you continue to support, or start supporting, Iowa Agricultural Education. Will it be through joining the Corduroy Club and setting up an automatic monthly donation? Can you or your company join the Platinum, Eagle, Gold, Emblem, or another level of annual giving? Will it be joining us at our Annual Black Ties Blue Jackets event or golf outing? With a generous donation from an anonymous donor, for every donation to the Iowa FFA Foundation, your donation is matched at 50%. This allows us to move closer to our goal of retiring our debt on the FFA Enrichment Center. Whatever option you select, we look forward to partnering with you.
How do you learn more or start the partnering process, you may ask? Reach out to our amazing staff or one of our board members and we can talk through the process and level of partnership.
Regards,
Jason Berkland 2022-2023 President Iowa FFA Foundation Board of Directors
2022-2023 Iowa FFA State Officer Team
Sam Martin, State President, Davis-Rogers FFA
Holly Schmitt, State Secretary, South Winneshiek FFA
Rachel Teunissen, State Reporter, West Lyon FFA
Sam Phillips, NW State Vice President, Akron-Westfield FFA
Ryan Wolf, NE State Vice President, West Dubuque FFA
George Martin, SW State Vice President, Davis-Rogers FFA
Annie Bower, SE State Vice President, West Branch FFA
Mary Ann Fox, NC State Vice President, Osage FFA
Kate Schaefer, SC State Vice President, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn FFA
2023-2024 Iowa FFA State Officer Team
Holly Schmitt, State President, South Winneshiek FFA
Lauren Beyer, State Secretary, East Buchanan FFA
Emma Humphreys, State Reporter, Columbus FFA
Annabelle Newton, NE State Vice President, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA
Collin Bauer, SW State Vice President, Audubon FFA
William Vlasek, SE State Vice President, Cedar Rapids-Prairie FFA
Josephine Kelly, NC State Vice President, Nevada FFA
Elizabeth Hadley, SC State Vice President, East Union FFA
Jaydee Bremer, NW State Vice President, Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA
OUR MISSION
The Iowa FFA Foundation cultivates partnerships supporting agricultural education.
The Iowa FFA Foundation focuses on encouraging youth to pursue careers and leadership roles in the agricultural industry. The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides leadership activities, scholarships, incentive awards, agricultural education programs, and instructor workshops. The foundation’s objective is the preparation of Iowa’s most valuable resource – its young people – to help chart the future of our state’s largest industry.
The Iowa FFA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Numbers
FFA members from 19,249 260 chapters PAS members from 750 12 chapters
$1,015,000 $250,000
374
Alumni members from 20,367 103 chapters instructors in IAAE
$52,000$28,000$17,000$15,000$11,000$10,500$6,500 retireddebtonFFA EnrichmentCenterin 2022-2023 InsuportforIowaFFA LeadershipConferenceScholarshipsupportto28studentsInfundsfornewIowaagricultural educationinstructorsSupportforPASconferencesProfessionaldevelopment investmentforageducatorsSupportforIowaFFAAlumniInsupportforstudent teachers Awardedto currentIowa ageducators
URBAN PROGRAMS VITAL TO ALL IN FOR AG ED
The mission of All in For Ag Ed is to offer agriculture education to every student in Iowa by 2029. For many, picturing agricultural education and FFA in a classroom brings thoughts of a small rural school district, but in fact many of the programs that are helping achieve the goal are in urban areas.
For students at Cedar Rapids-Prairie and Des Moines Central FFA chapters, being a part of the solution is very similar to the experience students in rural communities have. Growing up in an urban setting doesn’t allow for traditional backgrounds or involvement in the agriculture industry. Instead, the students are paving their own ways.
“I think one of the biggest setbacks for us is the stereotype that you had to grow up on a farm in order to be a part of FFA,” said Aliya Armor, a junior at Cedar Rapids-Prairie. “Our chapter sitting in an urban setting is helping to break the barrier of students being part of the ag industry.”
Belle Netolicky, a senior at Cedar Rapids-Prairie, has a different take on it, as someone who has been ingrained in the ag
industry with involvement on her family’s farm.
“I view this as an opportunity for two worlds to collide. I think it’s a good thing for farmers and ranchers to be able to share how food is grown and prepared,” she shared. “At the same time, I think it’s important for those who come from an urban setting to share how they would like their food grown and prepared.”
Lillian Tjaden, a junior at Des Moines Central, has known that she wants to be a veterinarian from a young age. But she didn’t know that dream was possible until she enrolled in an ag class.
“On the first day of class, there were baby pigs involved in a lab, and I said to myself, ‘This is it. This is what I want to do,’” she said. “Learning the ins and outs of raising pigs, from vaccinations to how their anatomy works, it’s put me on the path to get where I need to be to graduate vet school in nine years.”
Beyond the classroom students are finding involvement in contests, leadership
trainings and conferences, made possible with the support of donors just like you, a valuable part of their experience.
“I was sitting in class one day when our advisor came up to me and said, ‘Hey, do you want to try livestock judging?’” said Tyler Andrews, a senior at Cedar Rapids-Prairie. “I said a simple yes to going to practice. Then, I saw the conduct of meetings teams practicing and indicated that I wanted to try it. From there, I just got wrapped up and involved, and it’s been a fun ride ever since.”
For Belle, FFA has given her great opportunities to learn.
“There’s a lot to FFA,” she said. “My first year I just started out with the FFA Creed speaking contest. Looking back, I had no confidence at all, but over the years I’ve participated in ag communications, marketing plan, and treasurer’s book. Each of those opportunities brings new skills.”
For Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA Advisor Laura Brecht, the positive opportunities for student growth wouldn’t happen without opportunities offered outside of the chapter, from supporting new and existing agriculture educators to offering support for students to show off their talents.
“Anyone that supports ag education is supporting our future and we thank you as a teacher, as future students, and as a past student,” she said. “I definitely would not be here without the support of every individual supporting ag education along the way.”
Urban programs like Des Moines Central FFA are reaching out to bring new and unique perspectives to the agriculture landscape, but that isn’t always easy. Many of the students in the program come from low income and first-generation families, and those students often don’t have the financial means to participate at the same level as other students.
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Program member Darling Ingredients recognized the needs of the chapter and wanted to find a way to support the students locally. Members of Darlings leadership team, the Iowa FFA Foundation and Des Moines Central Advisor, Kevin Anderson, met and came up with a plan. With a donation from Darling Ingredients, the chapter was able to purchase FFA jackets and clothing to start a borrowing closet members can use when they need official dress.
No student wants to feel different when they are in a group setting or headed to contests, so putting them on an even footing with others allows them to demonstrate the skills they are learning inside and outside of the classroom.
Student success as the grow and learn is the cornerstone of developing them into the workforce for the future of agriculture. As the access to agricultural education continues to grow across the state, each chapter and every student are finding new opportunities open to them both personally and professionally. It is with that in mind that you, the donor, are making those opportunities happen both in rural and urban settings.
Top Donors
Crystal Donors
$1,000,000 and above
Eagle Donor
$100,000 to $250,000
Owl Donor
$50,000 to $100,000
Emblem Donors
$25,000 to $50,000
ONE IN A MILLION
The National Association of Agricultural Educators reports mounting losses of ag educators since 2015, significantly limiting ag education opportunities for the next generation of Iowa’s agriculturalists and threatening Iowa’s national status as a leader. In Iowa alone, the state has lost 204 ag educators to retirement and other pursuits. The ag teacher shortage is at a critical point today, with nearly half of net instructor losses within the past two years.
To help combat the crisis and reverse the decline in ag educators, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has pledged $1 million to Iowa FFA, with a portion of the funds dedicated to its ‘All in for Ag Education’ strategic initiative. In addition to recruiting, training, and retaining ag educators, the FFA ‘All in for Ag’ campaign outlines a goal of ag education access for 100% of Iowa high school students by 2029.
“Iowa agriculture is a national leader in so many areas of production: corn, pigs, eggs, ethanol and biofuel, and in conservation: water quality wetlands, bioreactors, grassed waterways, buffer strips, pollinator habitat and conservation tillage. Our state depends on the next generation of youth to fill critical roles in agriculture to maintain that status and provide solutions to a growing global population. Without qualified ag educators to train and inform young people of future career opportunities in agriculture, we lose out as a state – and nation,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.
As one of the Iowa FFA Foundation’s longest and most dedicated supporters, the Iowa Farm Bureau gift will have a lasting and meaningful impact in communities across the state.
“We are so grateful for this gift,” said Josh Remington, Iowa FFA Foundation executive director. “IFBF’s support will allow us to tackle our state’s ag educator crisis head-on and remove hurdles to attract and retain talent so we can deliver valuable opportunities to Iowa’s next generation of leaders.”
IFBF has supported Iowa FFA for decades and serves as the presenting sponsor of the annual FFA Leadership Conference. Their support has also allowed Iowa FFA to keep annual dues and State Leadership Convention registration fees consistent for the past 15 years, even during times of inflation and rising costs for other youth programs and activities.
“Supporting youth and education is a pillar of IFBF’s mission, and we are proud to lead the ‘All in for Ag Education’ campaign through this gift to grow opportunities for the next generation of Iowa leaders,” said Johnson. “Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa, and if current trends hold true, one in five Iowa students will have a career supported by agriculture. We know ag education opportunities for high school youth can have a profound impact on their future, and we feel this support is mission critical to the future of Iowa agriculture.”
The Gold Standard The Gold Standard
Since 1986, the Iowa FFA Foundation has been connecting partners with the organizations that make up Team Ag Ed in Iowa to provide funding for a variety of opportunities within each organization.
The Iowa FFA Gold Standard Program is a unique and streamlined approach for corporate partners to support the mission of the Iowa FFA Foundation. With two tiers of giving levels to meet budgets from five hundred to more than one million dollars, each level provides valuable opportunities for recognition and interaction with more than 40,000 individuals across Iowa who are passionate about agriculture.
From a donor visibility standpoint, this program exceeds expectations, by offering front and center recognition at all Team Ag Ed conferences, whereas in the past, a donor would only find visibility for a conference area they supported. Not only does this program provide an umbrella of touch points to the more than 40,000 Iowans who make up the Team Ag Ed organizations, it also allows partners to continue to support areas that are historic cornerstones to their support of agricultural education in Iowa, while enabling every contest and proficiency area is 100% funded.
The Iowa FFA Gold Standard Program provides partners at all levels with visibility at each of Iowa Team Ag Ed major conferences and partners in Tier 2 can designate 50% of their gift towards sponsorship of a particular program or activity.
This year, twenty-one partners took advantage of the program and were recognized at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference with a personalized corduroy banner and pin signifying their giving tier. New Iowa FFA Gold Standard Program partners will be recognized in the same way, with returning partners receiving a pin to attach to their banners each year.
This event made possible with support from the 2023 IOWA FFA
Thank you to our
Blue Jacket
$10,000 to $25,000
AgriVision Equipment
Alliance Pipeline L.P.
American Family Insurance
ASFMRA - Iowa Chapter
BBS Architects Engineers
CHS
Farm Credit Services of America
Hertz Farm Management
Iowa FFA Alumni & Supporters Association
Iowa Motor Truck Association
Iowa State University - College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Maggie McCoy
PivotBio
Principal Chartiy Classic
Rising Sun
$5,000 to $10,000
Ag Processing Inc
Beckman Catholic FFA
Beck’s Hybrids
Alan & Dee Burt
C&B Operations LLC
Christensen Farms
Cookies Food Products Inc.
Darling Ingredients Freeman Decorating
Jim & Irene Gardner
Travis Hardin
Chris Hesok
Iowa Corn
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Darrell Schenk
Smithfield Foods
Steffes Group
Syngenta
Titan Machinery
US Army ROTC
Van Wall Equipment
Jeff & Julie Wymore
Plow
$2,500 to $5,000
Doug & Jenny Becker
Jason & Alisha Berkland
4 Seasons Fundraising
CapTrust Financial Advisors
Chubb Agribusiness
Cyclone Sports Properties
Davis Equipment/Turfwerks
Robert & Maureen Hanson
Iowa Ag Tag
Donors
Ellsworth Community College
Energy Panel Structures
Michael A. Eppert
Brian & Jen Feldpausch
Duane Fisher
David & Lori Gilmore
Great Southern Bank
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co.
Cathy Halsten
Scot & Carolyn Harold
Hawkeye Community College
Joel Hergenreter
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Institute for Cooperatives
Jensen Farms
John Deere Alumni and Supporters
Landus
MinnTex Citrus, Inc
Morningside University
Neumann Brother, Inc
Niece Trucking
Patterson Foundation
Producers Livestock Marketing
Tim & Emily Rhodes
Rustic Barn Venue
Keith & Jenifer Soltwedel
Ronald and Mary Beth Zelle
Zoetis
National Blue
$1,000 to $2,500
AGCO Dealers
AgVenture
Assured Partners
Bankers Trust Company
Becker Beef LLC
Paul Bierschenk
Buena Vista University
Allen & Dee Burt
Carroll Area FFA Chapter
CF Industries
Eddie & Renae Chesnut
Cylosoft, Inc
Dordt University
East Sac County High School
William Ellis
Talons of Tuscany
The Baker Group
The Maschhoffs, LLC
Times Citizen Communications, Inc.
TrueNorth Companies
John Van Ryswyk
John J. Wacha
Bryon Weesner
Eric Weuve
Zinpro Corporation
High Plains Journal LLC
Informa Markets/Wallaces Farmer
Iowa Air National Guard
Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation
Iowa State University - Block and Bridle Club
Iowa Turfgrass Institute
Tim & Brenda Kapucian
Key Cooperative Kirkwood Community College
Jarod Lemper
Mark’s Tractor & Implement, Inc
Craig & Lisa McEnany
Scott & Alice Meldrum
Meriwether, Wilson and Company, PLLC
MMC Contractors
Charles Moore
Renee H. Neddermeyer
Casey & Tammy Niemann
Jeff Pardun
Peoples Company
George Petecki
Polk County 4H and FFA Fair Association
Precision Underground Utilities, LLC
Principal Financial Group
QC Supply
Randall Reed
Ronald & Mary Reedy
Joshua & Caitlin Remington
Rose Acre Farms
Charles Schleusner
Clark Schoening
Marty Schwager
(Chapter Silver cont.)
Iowa FFA Foundation 2022-2023 Financial Statements Statement of Financial Position
For the Year Ending in June 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash Accounts Receivable (Net)
Contributions Receivable-Current (Net)
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
Total Current Assets
Non-Current Assets
Investments - Endowment Funds
Contributions Receivable - Non-Current
Total Non-Current Assets
Property & Equipment
Buildings & Improvements Equipment
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Total Property & Equipment
TOTAL ASSETS
$658,500 $119,695 $1,396,299 $1,501 $39,952
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Security Deposits
Accrued Expenses
Deferred Revenue
Total Current Liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Note Payable
$2,178,801 $602,184
$2,780,985
$13,864,548 $419,713 ($5,059,472) $9,224,789 $14,221,721
Accrued Interest
Total Non-Current Liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES $5,575,978
Net Assets
Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions
Net Assets With Donor Restrictions
TOTAL NET ASSETS $89,428 $20,105 $24,771 $23,535 $2,300,000 $3,118,139 $5,418,139 $6,182,568 $2,463,175 $8,645,743 $2,215,947 $157,839
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $14,221,721
Statement of Activities
For the Year Ending in June 30, 2022
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Support & Revenue
Sales of Promotional Items (Net) Proceeds
Contributions & Grants
Rental & Related Income
Net Investment Income
Other Support & Revenue
TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE
EXPENSES Iowa
$15,588 $2,924,068 $884,031 (101,306 $67,729 $410,176 $19,050 $2,168,066 $6,477,677 $8,645,743 $3,992,722
A & J Koenig Trust
A&M Farms Inc.
Howard R. Adrian Jr.
Kyle Allee
Robert Anderson
Eldon Appenzeller
Arnold Realty Co.
Auwaerter Farms
B&C Burk
Jean Bailey
Ronald L. Barnes
Dale Barr
Dean Bartelt
Clint J. Bauer
Bentley East Inc.
Mark Boender
Kevin A. Borcherding
Thomas Brewer
David R. Broderman
Aaron M. Burchland
Lucas Bushong
Jerry Buteyn
Jim Calvert
Carruthers And Marsh Check Inc.
Harry Chilcote
Clarke Family Trust
Collins Production Inc
Community Development Corp.
William Cooley
Steve Cornelius Deka Corp.
Steve Cortum
Don Crawford
Ken Crouse
Travis Curry
D&B Henning Farms Inc.
Lawrence Daniels
David and Betty Collison Trust
Donald G. Davidson
Alan DeBerg
Dillard Farms LLC
Don & Bonnie Vos Living Trust
Dorothy Mae Hildreth Revocable Living Trust
D. Robert Downing
Melonie Doyle
James D. Doyle
Ken Doyle
Doyle Drake
Denny Drake
Drake Family Farms LC
Ron O. Dunblazier
Craig B. Earley
Karl Eby
Gregory Eibs
Empire Land & Cattle II
Donald Erb
Don Faidley
Nancy Fausch
Brent Findley
Kenneth Folkmann
Russell Fox
Fox Farms of Loveland LLC
Frazee Farms Ltd, Freese Farm Partnership
Fred Friedrichsen
Friendly Acres Farm
Jeff Fritz
John Ganzhorn
Jim Gavin
Andrew J. Geer GLB Inc
Gourley Grain Company LLC
John Green
Donald E. Grim
Gro Mor LLC
Paul E. Guy
GVM Corporation
Leo Haack
Charles Haden
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Iowa FFA Foundation Checkoff program donors! With their support, nearly $5,000 was awarded to 52 FFA chapters in mini-grant support. You can join them in donating 1/10th cent per bushel on grain marketed at Heartland Cooperative or Archer Cooperative. Contact your grain marketer today and ask to sign up for the Iowa FFA Foundation Checkoff in support of Agricultural Education!
Chad Hafkey
Tony Haning
Happy Acres
Teachout Harvest
Dan Hays
Doug Hefty
Bob Heimbaugh
Michael L. Helland
Jim Henderson
Charles Heston
Thomas Hildreth
Adam Hill
Donald P. Hill
Hillebo Family Farms Inc.
Jason Hirsch
Charles Hochstetler
Jim Hochstetler
Brian Phillip Holt
Ron Hotger
Hotger Farms
Duane Houge
TT Hughes
Hunter Bros. Inc.
Dunn Huxley
Kinsinger Inc
Kestrel Inc.
Irvella Farm LLC
Ivy Farms
J & B Family Enterprise LLC
J & D Carlson Farms Inc.
J & D Duncalf Inc.
J.D. Mattingly Farms
David Jacobson
Lowell Jacobson
Morris Jansen
Francis Jardon
Joel Jensen
Kenneth Jensen
Jim White Inc.
Alberta Jirak
Gerald Judkins
Odean H. Jukam
Robert Kaska
Michael D. Kaufman
Dennis Kiewiet
Michael J. Kirlin
Mike Kisling
Lynn R. Knutson
Koger Farms Inc.
Kody J. Kokemiller
Robert W. Koutny
Brent A. Larson
Nick S. Larson
Steven Lee
Shawna Lee
Lein Farm #2870
Robert Lenocker
Bill Linnenbrink
Roger Loftin
Lorimor Farm Inc.
Michael Lovell
Since 2018,
the Corduroy Club has provided an easy way for individuals to support Agricultural Education on a monthly basis with a recurring gift of any amount. Each donor can select the option to donote via credit card to direct payment through a checking account, as well as selecting the day of the month that deduction is made. Donating through the Corduroy Club makes giving easy and does not require any monthly maintenance on the part of donors, while ensuring continued support of programs and resources directly impacting lives of the members of Iowa Team Ag Ed.
The following individuals have joined this elite group of donors to the Iowa FFA Foundation with their monthly gifts:
Andrew Arends
Logan Bauer
Kaitlyn Bartling
Jason & Alisha Berkland
Angel Brecht
Anthony Brecht
Hope Brecht
Skylar & Taylor Brittan
Jamie Christiansen
Patrick Diedrich
Matthew & Carol Eddy
Andrew Edson
Lindsay Fischer
Jim & Irene Gardner
Scot & Carolyn Harold
Joe & Shelley Heinrich
Erin Hoffman
Marvin Hoskey
Jim Howell
Natalie Jefson
Julianne & Terry Johnston
Jennifer Johnston
Michael & Allison Knight
Zoie & Ashton Kooiker
Pat & Mary Knuven
Braden & Emily Larson
Mike Nissley
Bob Pokorny
Josh & Caitlin Remington
Tim & Emily Rhoades
Joshua Roberts
Kory Ross
Marty Schwager
Bailey Steffen
Cindy Snell
David & Jaqueline Van Ahn
Bryon Weesner
Shelby Westoff
Abby Wing
Matt & Ashley Wolfe
Benjamin & Allison Zelle
I‘m a Blue Corduroy Member because I am passionate about the benefits Agricultural Education can provide for students. As a classroom teacher, I am happy to support others who are doing the same thing that I do – educate and advise agricultural students. I enjoy watching students come out of their shell after participating in FFA events. I love hearing that students love Ag class because they get to “Do” things in class. This membership allows me and my family to continue to support the organization that shapes the lives of students now and tomorrow.
- Ashley Wolfe
Proficiency Award Winner Spotlights
Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs, have developed specialized skills they can apply toward their future careers.
As a part of their SAE projects, students learn real life career skills or proficiencies while conducting hands-on learning. While every proficiency award area is different, there is a solid foundation of skills that can be learned with each one. Participation in each area makes student members more valuable assets as they embark on a possible career in agriculture. Members who are selected as winners in each area, advance on to compete with other students from across the United States at the National FFA Convention and Expo.
Each award area is made possible through the efforts of our donor partners who help us recognize the outstanding achievements made by student members.
A portion of this year’s winners were able to show unique skills they had mastered in their areas including:
Landon Luft from the Charles City FFA Chapter is the first-place winner in Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement, sponsored by Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners. Landon put in nearly 2000 hours and earned over $28,000 at Swartzrock Implement. Landon quickly advanced from maintenance of the grounds to maintenance of multiple lines of equipment and the lead assembler for many of the dealership brands. Upon high school graduation, Landon will become a full-time technician at Swartzrock Implement.
The winner in the area of Ag Processing, sponsored by Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners, is Lauren Cherne of the Beckman Catholic FFA Chapter at Dyersville. She has invested over 475 hours at her position at her local meat locker. She has gained skills in food safety, meat processing, and product development. After graduation, Cherne plans on continuing her career in meat production.
The first-place winner in the area of Specialty Animal Production, sponsored by Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners, is Jessica Kroeger of the North Scott FFA at Eldridge. Kroeger has raised bees since her freshman year. She has sold hives to others over the years from her own stock. Kroeger also completed an Agriscience Research project based on her bee hives. She is a 2022 graduate of North Scott High School.
Proficiency Award Winners
Agricultural Communications
Katrina Hageman, South Winneshiek
Iowa Soybean Association
Agricultural Education
Fayeth Henningsen, DeWitt Central Jim Hamilton Memorial Endowment
Agricultural Mechanics Design & Fabrication
Maguire DeJong, Montezuma CF Industries
Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Entrepreneurship
Jacob Nabb, Maquoketa U.S. Army ROTC
Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement
Landon Luft, Charles City Iowa FFA Gold Standards Partner
Agricultural Processing
Lauren Cherne, Beckman Catholic at Dyersville
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship
Laina Sangwin, Sioux Central Titan Machinery
Agricultural Sales Placement
Nathaniel Miller, Marengo Titan Machinery
Agricultural Services
Abbie Gahring, Williamsburg Landus
Agriscience Research - Integrated Systems
Libby Knipper, Beckman Catholic atDyersville CHS Foundation
Agriscience Research - Plant Systems
Maria Kruse, Beckman Catholic at Dyersville
Minn Tex Citrus, Inc.
Beef Production - Entrepreneurship
Hannah Fishwild, Midland at Wyoming
Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation
Beef Production Placement
Shealin Wiemann, Maquoketa Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation
Dairy Production Entrepreneurship
Dillion Sparrgrove, North Fayette Valley at West Union Landus
Dairy Production Placement
Kiersten Gibbs, Little Switzerland at Waukon ISU Dairy Science Club
Diversified Agricultural Production
Luke Holdgrafer, Northeast at Goose Lake Hertz Farm Management
Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship
Hayden Holdgrafer, Easton Valley at Preston Pivot Bio
Diversified Crop Production Placement
Grant Farnham, Central Plains at Gowrie
CHS Foundation
Diversified Horticulture
Dacey Henneman, Stanton Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Diversified Livestock Production
Elli Blackford, Osceola Big Chief
Milt Luckstead Sr. Memorial Endowment
Equine Science Entrepreneurship
Cadence Horn, Newton
ISU Block & Bridle
Equine Science Placement
Tori Bearman, New Hampton
Iowa Horse Council
Fruit Production
Trenton Iburg, Williamsburg
4 Seasons
Goat Production
Danielle Rawson, North Linn at Troy Mills
Iowa Meat Goat Association
Grain Production
Landon Theissen, Central Lyon at Rock Rapids Heartland Co-Op
Landscape Management
Carter Hasselmann, West Lyon at Inwood
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Organic Agriculture
Jake Van Etten, North Linn at Troy Mills
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Outdoor Recreation
Morgan Hodge, West Liberty
Iowa Trappers Association
Poultry Production
Josie Boyle, West Dubuque at Epworth
Rose Acres
Service Learning
Cheyenne Wallace, Southeast Warren
DeWitt Central FFA Alumni
Sheep Production
Brooklynn Booth, IKM-Manning
Iowa Club Lamb Association
Small Animal Production & Care
Selena Kilham, Linn-Mar at Marion
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Specialty Animal Production
Jessica Kroeger, North Scott at Eldridge
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Specialty Crop Production
Ellen Roemen, West Lyon at Inwood AGP
Swine Production Entrepreneurship
Olivia Mensen, Beckman Catholic at Dyersville
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Swine Production Placement
Keaton Funk, Central Lyon at Rock Rapids
Hog Slat Midwest Division
Turf Grass Management
Caden Larson, Central Plains at Gowrie
Iowa Turfgrass Institute
Vegetable Production
Paul Herger, Vinton-Shellsburg
4 Seasons
Veterinary Science
Isabelle Rouse, ACGC at Guthrie Center
Christensen Farms
Wildlife Production & Management
Blase Maas, West Liberty
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
STARS OVER IOWA STARS OVER IOWA
The 2023 Star in Ag Placement winner is Natalie Byrnes of the Little Switzerland FFA Chapter at Waukon. Natalie has productively invested over 2,100 recorded hours milking and monitoring health of a dairy herd at Prairie Star Farms. She was tasked with maintaining sanitation as well as milking approximately 125 organic cows. Natalie’s responsibilities now include managing milking operations, sanitation, basic maintenance and analyzing herd health to provide quality products to dairy consumers. Following graduation in 2024, Natalie plans to attend an undecided college to major in Neuroscience.
Brady Frascht of the Charles City FFA Chapter is the 2023 Star in Ag Production winner. Brady owns and manages a crop and livestock farm. His operation includes a 22 head cow/calf herd and he is involved in the family’s 500 head cattle feeding operation. He also raises and shows market hogs. Brady has purchased a 25-acre farm and he rents an additional 80 acres for corn and soybean production. Brady plans to expand his SAE program in the near future by building another calving barn and purchasing and renting more farm ground. He has recently made a large investment in his drone pesticide application business.
Justin Nierling of the Decorah FFA Chapter is the 2023 Star in Agribusiness winner. He is the owner and operator of Nierling Custom Farming, where he provides producers with services such as round baling and wrapping. Justin has baled 9,600 bales in the lifetime of his business. He expanded services last year and bought a bale wrapper, and most recently traded for a brand-new baler and bale trailer. He wrapped a total of 3,700 bales within the last 2 years. After graduation, Justin plans to slowly start taking over the family farm while also growing his business to provide more custom services.
The Star in Agriscience Winner is Lauren Cherne of the Beckman Catholic FFA Chapter at Dyersville. Through her research, she learned to use statistical analyses, communicate with others about her findings, and learned about scientific procedures. So far in her projects, Lauren has worked with meat, plants, and weed control methods, and her most recent project involves a survey about protein products. Her skills gained in research have fostered her passion for her future career pathway in Food Science. After graduation in 2023, Lauren plans on attending Iowa State University to major in Food Science.
Leadership Development Event Winners
Ag Broadcasting
Avery Schroeder, Muscatine FFA
Iowa Broadcasters Association Foundation
Ag CSI
West Liberty FFA
Ag Processing, Inc.
Ag Impact
Montezuma FFA
CF Industries - Spencer & Garner Terminals
Ag Issues
West Liberty FFA
ASFMRA - Iowa Chapter
Ag Sales
Eli Harbaugh, North Fayette Valley at West Union
Energy Pannel Structures
Chapter Activity
Rockford FFA
Ag Processing, Inc.
Chapter Program
Brokaw FFA at Clarinda GROWMARK, Inc.
Chapter Website
Adel-DeSoto-Minburn FFA
Carroll Area FFA Chapter
Conduct of Meetings
Montezuma FFA
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
Creed Speaking
Zoey Hamilton, Central Trail FFA at Leon
MinnTex Citrus, Inc.
Discussion Meet
Emma Ahrendsen, Sioux Central FFA at Sioux Rapids
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Experience the Action
Waverly-Shell Rock FFA
US Army ROTC
Extemporaneous Speaking
Kyler Rieken, Riverside FFA at Oakland
GROWMARK, Inc.
Job Interview
Josie Boyle, North Fayette Valley at West Union
Christensen Farms
Parliamentary Procedure
Brokaw FFA at Clarinda GROWMARK, Inc.
Public Speaking
Tucker Rohrig, Creston FFA
Iowa Soybean Association
Reporter’s Scrapbook
Janelle Clark, Albia FFA
Wallace’s Farmer
Secretary’s Book
Addison Wenmark, Decorah FFA
US Army ROTC
Treasurer’s Book
Trell Amoss, Albia FFA
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
Career Development Event Winners
Ag Communications
Ogden FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Ag Sales Team
Montezuma FFA
Nationwide
Ag Biotechnology
MMCRU FFA at Marcus
Darling Ingredients
Farm Business Management
Montezuma FFA
Hertz Farm Management
Marketing Plan
Hudson FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Poultry
South O’Brien FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Vet Science
Des Moines FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Ag Mechanics
Newton FFA
Titan Machinery
Agronomy
Newton FFA
Iowa Soybean Association &
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Food Science
Sioux Center
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Floriculture
Muscatine FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Horse
Davis County FFA at Bloomfield
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Nursery/Landscape
Muscatine FFA
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Livestock
DeWitt Central FFA
Iowa State University Block & Bridle
Meats
Muscatine FFA
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Milk Quality & Products
West Dubuque FFA at Epworth
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Dairy Cattle
North Fayette Valley at West Union
Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partners
Soils Evaluation
Brokaw FFA at Clarinda
Heartland Co-Op
Kruse Named 2022-23 Golden Owl Winner
North Scott High School agriculture teacher Emily Kruse is the 2022-2023 Golden Owl Award winner, earning the title of Iowa’s most outstanding agriculture educator for the year.
Winning the award, Kruse said, showcases an investment in young agriculture teachers.
“There is a shortage of young educators in agriculture, so this is affirming that there is support for this work,” she said.
To Kruse, connecting the importance and breadth of the agriculture industry and skills-based education is key, especially for Iowa students.
“Without ag education, it’s not going to be possible to have enough people to supply that food, fiber and fuel,” she said. “The ag industry is constantly evolving, so ag education must also evolve. Delving into sustainability of how to meet the challenges of our populations, and how we can continue to innovate, will be on the forefront. Ag education that emphasizes all learners, no matter their backgrounds, will be important. We are really looking for opportunities to help them find their talents and apply them to agricultural contexts.”
Kruse said her most rewarding experiences as an agriculture educator were, “seeing students turn from apathy to excitement and engagement.”
Sponsored by the Iowa FFA Foundation, Nationwide Insurance and other agricultural stakeholders, the annual Golden Owl Award recognizes excellence in teaching and promotes the importance of agriculture education in Iowa.
Memorials
Arthur Eppert
Bob A. Kaufman
Charlie McLaughlin
Clay Beam
Francis Abel
Irvin Meier
Joe Harper
John Gardner
John Kluesner
Neil & Seth Pauley
Paul Jensen
Michael Alan Eppert
Kay Lawrence
Ronald & Mary Beth Zelle
Farm Credit Services of America
ENT Medical Services, PC
Steven & Brenda Wieneke
Patricia & Louis Beck
Ronald & Mary Beth Zelle
Ronnette Vondrak
Elizabeth Loughren
Danielle Keefe
Evelyn Nystrom
Linda Jensen
Roger E. Johnson
Jennifer Owen
Shirley Winkey Allyssa Pape
Steve Schroeder
Ronald & Mary Beth Zelle
Timothy J. Burke 1971-1972 National FFA Officer Team – Kevin Hall, Philip Johnson, Dennis Sargent and Clifford Saylor
Tom Oswald Lynn Harkin
Wayne Nattress
Alyssa Nattress
Annie Bower
Barbara Lemmer and Joe Yedlik
Beth Bornholdt
Bill Henricksen
Blake Anderson
Bonnie Steinberg
Bradley Herron
Brent Curry
Brian and Barbara Abele
Brian and Jen Feldpausch
Brooke Nattress
Bryon Weesner
Carolyn and Scot Harold
Chris and Brad Harvey
Chris and Brad Harvey
Christopher and Karna Reicks
Clyde Johnson
Craig and Lisa McEnany
Dan and Alyse Dreher
Dan and Anna Belzer
Daniel and Megan Hansen
Dean Dodd
Dennis Benson
Dianne Scott Strickler
Donald Eblen
Edwin Ricks
Betsy and Blane Becker
Elizabeth Ratashak-Vogel
Ella Hommel
Eric Boeck
Gary and Debby Garst
Gretchen Umbaugh
Heather Collen Bassett
James and Irene Gardner
Janet Kindwall
Jarod Nattress
Jennifer Ziel Graham
Jesse and Amy Ulrich
Jim and Ashley Fitzgerald
Jim and Ashley Fitzgerald
Jim Heitoff
J.R. and Lisa Peterson
Bob and Barbara Leonard
Joseph and Pamela Angstman
Kathy and Gary Fisk
Kevin and Carol Keith
Kevin Butt and Honoria
Baloghova
Kyle Maas
Larry Geerts
Larry Vold
Mariah Smith
Mark and Andrea Irlbeck
Mark and Cheryl Williams
Marla Shifflett
Marvin and Karen Hoskey
Mary Gerzema
Matt and Dana Dolch
Matthew and Dini Anderson
Merle and Leigh Ann Allison
Mike Klocke
Nicole Cline
Paul Hansen
Robert and Maureen Hanson
Robert and Susan De Haan
Robert Maikhio
Roger and Virginia Foelske
Russ and Bonita Johnson
Ruth and Wayne Fredericks
Shanise Brockshus
Shawn Peck
Sheryl Woolman
Steve and Linda Dolch
Steven and Isabelle Brockshus
Steven Kehoe
Tony and Andrea Klemm
Trish and Frank Holdmeyer
Wilbert and Paula Freeseman
Peg Armstrong-Gustafson and Gregg Gustafson
John Whitney
In Honor of:
Craig Johnston Jill Greiner
John’s 80th Birthday Jim Osterberger
Robert Martin
Ronald & Mary Beth Zelle
Wayne served as the Iowa FFA State Advisor and as the agricultural education consultant for the Iowa Department of Education from 19821991. In 1986, Wayne boldly started the Iowa FFA Foundation to encourage youth to pursue careers and leadership roles in the agricultural industry. He spent countless hours developing partnerships with individuals and companies throughout Iowa as the Foundation’s first Executive Director until his retirement in 2010.
Gifts Will Be Matched!
An anonymous donor will generously contribute 50 CENTS FOR EVERY $1 given for agricultural programs supported by the Iowa FFA Foundation. This match will continue until the debt is retired on the FFA Enrichment Center. Here are examples of how a gift can grow with this match:
50 ¢ FOR EVERY $1
$10,000$5,000$15,000 $25,000$12,500$37,500 $50,000$25,000$75,000 Equals a Higher Impact
How You Can Help Invest in Our Future Leaders
Investing in future leaders is a way you can positively impact agricultural education and agribusiness in Iowa for years to come.
• Gifts may be made in cash or securities
• Gifts can include bequests, real estate, life insurance, grain and personal property
• Matching gifts through your employer or spouse’s employer can double, even triple your gift
• Pledges are encouraged and may be extended over a period of up to five years (a reminder will be mailed to you each year)
• Your gift may be made in honor or in memory of someone (a letter recognizing your gift will be mailed to the person you are honoring or the family of the person you are memorializing)
• Please know that your gift to the Iowa FFA Foundation is tax deductible to the greatest extent of the law
• Remember that your gift will be matched