Farm Bureau members from all 50 states and Puerto Rico gathered at the 107^th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention this week in Anaheim, California to set the organization's national policy direction for 2026 and recognize and celebrate the achievements of state Farm Bureaus. Several Iowa policies were adopted, including greater flexibility for producers participating in carbon markets.

During the convention's general session, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) was presented the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state Farm Bureau can be awarded for program and member achievement. IFBF earned awards of Excellence in all four program areas for outstanding member programs and exceeding its membership goal in 2025. The four program areas include: Advocacy, Coalitions and Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach, and Leadership and Business Development.

"Earning the AFBF Pinnacle Award is a tremendous honor for our organization and is a great source of pride for our members," said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. "The prestigious award is a testament to the strength of our grassroots organization and the value provided to our members through innovative programs and resources."

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered a keynote speech to members highlighting USDA's support for farmers and opportunities ahead. Rollins highlighted efforts over the past year to reduce the agricultural trade deficit and grow trade markets, expanded markets for E15 and biofuels and continued efforts to reduce surging input costs.

Former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and lifelong supporter of agriculture, Bill Northey, was posthumously honored with AFBF's Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. For decades, Northey worked for farmers and ranchers across Iowa and the country. He was elected as the Iowa secretary of agriculture three times - in 2006, 2010 and 2014 - before being tapped by President Donald Trump to be under secretary for farm production and conservation at USDA. He held that post until 2021 and became the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa in May 2022. Northey passed away in February 2024 at the age of 64 leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to agriculture.

Following his passing, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson commented on Northey's life.

"It is impossible to completely describe Bill's impact on agriculture," said Johnson. "It didn't matter if we were talking about the latest heavy-hitting agriculture issue or tractors or family; Bill was always an intensive listener, and I never saw him distracted by what was happening in the background or who walked into the room. When talking with Bill, Bill was talking with you."

Keaton Keitzer of Des Moines County represented IFBF on the national stage during the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Discussion Meet competition. The YF&R Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting with active discussion and participation. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic about agriculture and food production today. Keitzer qualified for the competition by placing first in IFBF's Young Farmer Discussion Meet held during the IFBF Annual Meeting in December.

Along with Johnson, Iowa's other voting delegates to the 2026 AFBF policy session were: IFBF Vice President Brian Feldpausch of Grundy County; District 5 director Allen Burt of Marshall County; Randy Dreher of Audubon County; Laura Cunningham of Floyd County; Brent Koller of Lee County; Nate Hofmann of Linn County; Michael Johnson of Page County and Cordt Holub of Tama County.

Members attended workshops, panels and keynotes covering an array of topics, including opportunities and challenges on the horizon for agriculture, ag policy impact, new technology and innovation, strategies for managing farm succession planning, farmer perspectives on mental health and more.

State Farm Bureaus will gather again for the 2027 AFBF Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 8-12.