Fayette County Farm Bureau

02/06/2026

All month long, our lower elementary students are learning where everyday products come from 🌽

Through lessons on Iowa’s corn industry, students are discovering that corn grown right here in Iowa is used in more than 4,000 different products. By making their own cornstarch playdough, they’re seeing firsthand how agriculture connects to their daily lives.

Building understanding, appreciation, and connection to Iowa agriculture one classroom at a time.

01/26/2026

The 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Program Conference has come and gone! Members from Fayette County attended industry tours, breakout sessions, and various networking opportunities.

We would like to congratulate Megan Baumgartner for advancing to the Semi-finals of the Discussion Meet. Megan will continue preparing for the final rounds later this year. She also earned 1st place in the Women’s Grip Strength Competition! Way to represent Fayette County!

01/26/2026

A huge congratulations to Fayette County Farm Bureau member Megan Baumgartner for placing in the Top 10 individuals during the Discussion Meet at the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmers Conference! We’re excited to cheer you on as you compete again this December at the Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Way to go, Megan!

Twenty-six young farmers participated in today’s Discussion Meet at Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Conference – embracing an opportunity to grow as communicators, which will help them become even stronger advocates for agriculture and their local communities. 👏

Congratulations to the top 10 semifinalists advancing to the next round of competition, at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2026 Annual Meeting in December:

Olivia Marti, Allamakee County
Mitchell Hora, Washington County
Lauren Britton, Boone County
Jarret Horn, Jasper County
Jacob Smith, Fremont County
Peyton Pangburn, Worth County
Coltin Schachtner Kramer, Pocahontas County
Cale Gent, Hancock County
Megan Baumgartner, Fayette County
Harvard Williams, Clay County

01/13/2026

This month, our lower elementary students are learning all about dairy in the most delicious way possible! Students are discovering the hard work and daily chores that go into running a dairy farm, and producing the milk, cheese, and ice cream we all love.

The story-based lesson brings agriculture to life, helping students understand how farmers care for their cows and make sure dairy products get from the farm to their table. And the best part? Students get to put what they’ve learned into action by making their own ice cream, turning lessons into a hands-on, tasty experience they won’t forget.

By the end of the lesson, these young learners aren’t just enjoying ice cream..they’re gaining a new appreciation for the work behind every scoop.

01/13/2026

Only 15 days left!⏰

Fayette County High School Seniors🎓
If you’re passionate about agriculture, community leadership, or building a career that makes a difference, don’t miss this opportunity!

The Fayette County Farm Bureau Scholarship is now accepting applications. We’re proud to support students who demonstrate hard work, dedication, and a commitment to strengthening our community.

💰 Student or parent/guardian must be a current Farm Bureau member and reside in Iowa
🗓️ Application Deadline: January 28, 2026
🔗 Apply here: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/auth/signin

Don’t wait, apply today!

01/05/2026

Are you a young farmer in Fayette County interested in attending?
Email us at fayette.county@ifbf.org to get registered!

Only 4 days left to register for the Young Farmer Conference! ⏳
Register today through your County Farm Bureau – the conference takes place January 23–24, 2026 in Des Moines, IA!

12/17/2025

Happy Holidays from Fayette County Farm Bureau!

We want to wish everyone a joyful and safe holiday season! Please note the following office closures and adjusted hours:

• Our office will be closed December 24 & 25 for Christmas
• We will have limited hours on New Year’s Eve, closing at Noon
• The office will be closed on New Year’s Day

From December 22 through January 2, office hours may vary for our agents, their staff, Federation staff, and the Farm Bureau office. To ensure someone is available to greet you, we kindly ask that you call ahead before stopping by.

📬 The Spokesman Holiday Schedule Update:
• There will be no Spokesman the week of December 24
• There will be no county pages the week of December 31
• The Ad deadline for the January 7 issue is December 29 at NOON

Thank you, and happy holidays!

12/15/2025

The 2025 school year is off to a great start for the Fayette County Ag in the Classroom program! During the first semester, we were proud to reach 1,311 students across our county, bringing agriculture into classrooms through hands-on, engaging lessons.

This semester, students explored agriculture through lessons such as:

💤 Sleep Tight Farm! Students learned how farms prepare for winter and care for animals and crops during the colder months.

🐑 Sheep! Students discovered Iowa’s sheep industry and the important role sheep play in agriculture.

🍕 Who Makes My Pizza? Students followed their favorite food back to the farm, learning how each part of a pizza starts with agriculture.

🌱 Seed Germination Necklaces! A hands-on activity that helped students understand how seeds grow and what plants need to thrive.

These lessons encouraged curiosity, meaningful conversations, and a stronger understanding of where food and everyday products come from.

As we look ahead to the second semester, we’re excited to keep growing agricultural literacy and reaching even more students in our local classrooms! 🌱

12/11/2025

Fayette County proudly celebrated key achievements at the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Des Moines!

Chris Lueder graduated from the 2025 Ag Leaders Program, demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to agriculture.

Matt Baerg accepted the 2025 County Award of Excellence on behalf of Fayette County, recognizing the county’s dedication to advancing agricultural initiatives.

These milestones reflect the hard work, leadership, and passion of our Fayette County Board Members. The Annual Meeting has left us energized and inspired for the year ahead as we continue to grow, support, and strengthen agriculture in our communities.

Not pictured: Tyler Wynthein and Chris Lueder.

12/11/2025

Attention Fayette County High School Seniors🎓

Are you passionate about agriculture, community leadership, or pursuing a career that makes a meaningful impact? The Fayette County Farm Bureau Scholarship is accepting applications!

We are proud to support students who demonstrate hard work, dedication, and a commitment to strengthening our community.

Scholarship Details:
💰 Students or parent/guardian must be a current Farm Bureau member and reside in Iowa
🗓️ Application Deadline: January 28, 2026
🔗 Apply here: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/auth/signin

12/10/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank the incredible people who make Fayette County agriculture thrive. To our members, leaders, agents, and community supporters..you are the heart of everything we do. Your time, dedication, and passion for farming and rural life have made a lasting impact on our community.

Every effort you’ve made, whether attending events, sharing knowledge, supporting programs, or lending your voice to important causes has helped strengthen our local agricultural community. Your contributions don’t just support agriculture today, they inspire the next generation, connect neighbors, and build a foundation for the future.

From all of us at Fayette County Farm Bureau, thank you for being part of this community, for showing up, and for caring deeply about the people and land that make our county special. We look forward to another year of growth, connection, and celebrating the impact of agriculture together.

12/05/2025

Students in Fayette County After School Programs enjoyed a festive Ag in the Classroom lesson that helped them learn more about Iowa agriculture! 🌽🎄

We talked about how reindeer, and real livestock, don’t eat glitter or sprinkles, but instead get their energy from grains like corn, one of Iowa’s most important crops. Students learned how farmers grow and harvest corn, why grain is used in livestock feed, and how animals rely on these nutrients during the winter.

To bring the lesson to life, each student created their own “Reindeer Feed” bag using real Iowa corn. This hands-on activity helped them see:
• what livestock feed looks like,
• how farmers use crops to care for animals,
• and how agriculture connects to the holiday season.

It was a fun and meaningful way to blend education, creativity, and Christmas spirit while helping students understand the important role Iowa agriculture plays in feeding animals year-round. 🦌🌾✨