Year-long program will provide leadership and advocacy training for 30 Farm Bureau members from across Iowa. 

Thirty Farm Bureau members from across the state have been selected to participate in the Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2026 Ag Leaders Institute, a year-long leadership training and development program. 

Members of the 2026 class operate a wide range of agricultural businesses, including row crops, livestock and specialty ventures such as direct-to-consumer meat sales, seed and chemical retail, crop insurance and custom application services. Several participants also manage diversified enterprises like hay businesses, flower farms, and niche products such as popcorn and pumpkins. 

Many members serve on their county Farm Bureau boards and are deeply involved in other community activities including coaching youth sports, volunteering at county fairs, serving on church boards and supporting local 4-H and FFA programs. 

Through the Ag Leaders program, participants will learn about important agriculture issues, hone their leadership skills and develop a statewide network of leaders in Farm Bureau and agriculture who are committed to the future of rural Iowa. Class members view the program as a way to become better advocates for rural Iowa and to bring fresh ideas back to their counties.

The group met for the first time earlier this month in Des Moines and will continue to meet regularly throughout the year leading up to a policy-focused trip to Washington D.C. in September.


Pictured above: front row, from left, Josh Woods, Adair County; Travis Hursh, Madison County; Chris Grebner, Butler County; Dee Pickard, Marshall County; Meghan Jones, Sioux County; Barbara Thiessen, Chickasaw County; Olivia Pacha, Washington County; Anthony Myers, Clay County; Tyler Beenken, Tama County; Alanna Nietert, Linn County. Second row, Will Isley, Black Hawk County; Kate Van Manen, Jasper County; Carissa Buttjer, Bremer County; Marla Brown, Scott County; Stacey Demmer, Delaware County; Jeena Hall, Harrison County; Jason Sickels, Montgomery County; Dustin Applegate, East Pottawattamie County; Mollie Clark, Guthrie County; Haley Schulte, Benton County. Back row, Nick Stortz, Allamakee County; Rodney Peters, Franklin County; Bradford Bisbee, Mitchell County; Ben Kolbe, Sac County; Jake Steinbeck, Cass County; Nathan Fritchen, Keokuk County; Lauren Hulsebus, Lee County; Jake Smith, Fremont County; Jamie Stoulil, Pocahontas County; and Greg Haberl, Carroll County.