We all recognize that these are especially difficult times for Iowans and our members. With the need to maintain social distancing requirements during the ongoing pandemic, long-anticipated events – like our 2020 Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting - cannot take place in the same format as originally planned. However, we are excited to bring our top-notch Annual Meeting break-out sessions safely to you virtually, through the upcoming 2020 Annual Meeting Webinar Series.  

Every year at the Annual Meeting, our members have an opportunity to learn about cutting edge technologies, new ag opportunities or risk management techniques to protect their farms, through our content-rich break-out sessions.      

We know you’re facing countless ongoing challenges as fallout from the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact markets.  When looking for ways to pull through tough times, information is key. We encourage you to participate in this special webinar series that will take a closer look at some of the lessons learned through COVID-19, from supply chain disruptions and the economics surrounding it to what the future of ag may look like moving forward.  

This special 3-part series is FREE for members, and kicks off on Thursday, December 10 and runs through Thursday, December 17. 

Lessons Learned from Responding to COVID-19

Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 12:00 PM


- Reynolds Cramer, President, Fareway
CEO of Fareway, has a 35-year history with the store, which dates back to when he began working in the Boone Fareway store at just 16 years old. Cramer’s promotion to CEO for Fareway Stores Inc. occurred in February 2014. And in 2018, he was named President and CEO of the company.  A native Iowan and graduate of Boone High School in 1987 and Luther College in 1991, Cramer has a daughter Ashley, 21, and son Zachary, 15.? Cramer and his wife Sheila live in Ames and together have the newest addition to the family Benny, 2 years old. Fareway Stores Inc. is a privately held company that has over 12,000 employees and operates over 125 stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri and South Dakota.


- Jessica Dunker, Executive Director, Iowa Restaurant Association
President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, likes to tell people that she spends her days “eating and drinking” her way across the state, but in actuality her focus is on the “business of hospitality.”  (Although she does spend a great deal of time appreciating the food and beverage of Iowa’s many fine hospitality establishments.) As the association’s lead executive she serves as an advocate, educator, and promoter for the industry with legislators, media, and the public. She also works with owners, operators, purveyors, and related industry professionals to find ways to help Iowa’s restaurants and bars operate more effectively and profitability.


- Ron Prestage DVM, Prestage Farms
a hog and turkey farmer from Camden, S.C., and NPPC past President. Prestage is the owner/president of Prestage Farms, which has locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas. Prestage is the founding member of Palmetto Agribusiness Council. He is also a board member of University of Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, the South Carolina Poultry Federation, and serves on the Board of Trustees for Black River Electric Cooperative. Prestage has served as chairman for the South Carolina Poultry Federation, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. He also served as a past advisory committee member of Environmental Management Solutions, LLC.

Prestage graduated from North Carolina State University with his B.S. degree in 1977 and graduated from Auburn University with his DVM in 1982. He completed his equine surgery internship at UC Davis in 1983.

What’s the Future of Agriculture?

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 12:00 PM


- Joe Kerns, Kerns and Associates
President of  Kerns and Associates, has thirty years’ experience working with producers, suppliers, and mills to support agricultural operations. He leads a team of professionals with the express purpose of understanding the financial parameters around agricultural markets so that those that he works with can thrive and prosper.

Economics Facing Agriculture

Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 12:00 PM


- Jackson Takach, Chief Economist, Farmer Mac 
the Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Research, and Analytics at Farmer Mac, is a Kentucky native whose strong ties to agriculture began while growing up in the rural town of Scottsville. He joined the Farmer Mac team in 2005, and has worked in the strategy, research, credit, and underwriting departments. Jackson is the lead author and creator of The Feed, Farmer Mac’s quarterly publication on the agricultural sector, and he regularly presents to lenders, producers, and industry experts throughout the year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Centre College, a Master’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration and a Master’s degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He has also been a CFA charterholder since 2012.

 Don’t miss out! To register, simply click on the button below.

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