The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is pleased to announce Kelly Foss as executive director effective April 4, 2022.

Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who seek to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. IALF provides lesson plans and support materials for teachers, conducts summer teacher professional development workshops, offers Ag in the Classroom volunteer training and grants to teachers for agricultural resources, and publishes student publications like the Iowa Ag Today and My Family’s Farm series.  

In her role, Foss will provide leadership and guidance to the organization in its mission to share with Iowans, especially youth audiences, the breadth and global significance of agriculture.

Foss earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Iowa and has spent the past 23 years as director of Des Moines’ Farmers’ Market. During her tenure, she grew and advanced the development of the market to become nationally recognized as one of the largest and best markets in the country and was successful in assembling the markets’ strong community of partners and advocates. Kelly developed initiatives and programs in support of farmers and producers and was awarded the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Award in 2019. She also assisted in the development of farmers’ markets in cities throughout the country and serves on the board of directors of Prairie Rivers of Iowa, the Iowa Farmers Market Association, and provided direction to the Iowa Farm-to-Table Task Force.  

“Kelly has a passion for working with farmers and donors to build a dynamic and vibrant future for agriculture. With her dedication to quality programming, she is an outstanding match to the organization’s mission,” says IALF Board President Lindsay Calvert. “With Kelly’s leadership and management experience, the board of directors and I are confident she will move the foundation forward in continuing to support teachers and students by creating new opportunities to cultivate the understanding and appreciation of the food, fiber, and fuel system that we all rely on every day.”

IALF is headquartered in Des Moines but connects with teachers and ag in the classroom coordinators and volunteers throughout the state of Iowa.