Submit A Nomination for Iowa Commercial Applicator of the Year

Recognize An Applicator for Their Great Work

Commercial applicators in Iowa spend hundreds of hours in the field every year applying fertilizer and crop protection products on millions of crop acres. This award showcases the hard work professional applicators put into caring for crops and customers as well as their involvement in their communities.

We are proud to recognize these outstanding agribusiness professionals with an award that recognizes the often anonymous, tireless hours of labor required to keep Iowa's crop system running efficiently.

Nomination Requirements

There is no limit on the number of nominations a nominator may submit, however, a nominator may only submit one nomination for any one candidate. Nominators may nominate themselves. Nominators must be employees of companies that are members of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. Candidates must primarily be an operator of application equipment and work for an AAI Retail Company member.

Nominations for Iowa Commercial Applicator of the Year must be received no later than close of business on Dec. 31, 2025. 

Submit A Nomination

Questions? Please contact Heath DeYoung at hdeyoung@agribiz.org or 515.262.8323.

Showcase Exhibitor Spaces Limited

Companies planning to exhibit at the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference in February still have an opportunity to reserve space. The tradeshow floor is currently 64% filled and options are quickly becoming limited.

Be seen by the industry where agribusiness meets - reserve your booth now.

Green locations on map have been claimed; white booths are still available. Click map for a more detailed view.

Exhibitor Registration:

AgribizShowcase.com

Thank You For Your Membership!

As a member of AAI, you support the industry that is leading innovation, stewardship, and growth. Thank you for your membership and your commitment to the success of agribusiness in Iowa.

The following companies have recently joined or renewed their membership for the 2026 Membership Year.

Out And About

Member and Industry Visits

• Premier Crop Systems

Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Ben Gleason, INREC Executive Director

• Asmark Institute
• TrueNorth Ag

Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

• JT Logistics

Visit by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

• Wilbur-Ellis
• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
• Iowa Soybean Association

Visits by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

World Food Prize

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

Integrated Crop Management Conference Registration is Open 

The 36^th annual Integrated Crop Management Conference is scheduled for Dec. 10-11, 2025 at Prairie Meadows, in Altoona, Iowa. This premier event will provide crop production professionals with the latest information, cutting-edge research updates, and tools to prepare for 2026.

This year’s conference features 33 workshops covering crops, pests, nutrients, and soil and water management topics. Certified Crop Advisers can receive up to 14 continuing education credits. The program is also approved for Iowa commercial pesticide applicator continuing education in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 4 for 2025 for an additional fee.

To register, visit the ICM Conference website (go.iastate.edu/ICM). Early-bird registration is $260 and ends Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m. Regular registration is $300 and ends Dec. 3. On-site registration will be offered at $350. For registration-related questions, please contact Registration Services at (515) 294-6222 or registrations@iastate.edu. For all other inquiries, email crops@iastate.edu.

IDALS Extends Planting Date for Cover Crop Cost Incentives to Dec. 21

With the warm fall weather, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has extended the planting deadline for cover crops for all state cover crop incentive programs. This applies to select cover crop species including cereal rye, winter triticale, and camelina. Farmers who have approved applications for cover crop incentives now have until Dec. 21 to plant these species.

With this extension, sign up is still open for the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative. This program incentivizes cover crops on seed corn acres. First time cover crop users can receive up to $30/acre. There is no acre limit, and growers can apply online or via mail. Visit Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative | Grower Resources for more information.

Iowa CCA of the Year Nominations Open

The Iowa CCA Program is accepting nominations for the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year. This award is designed to recognize a certified crop adviser who delivers exceptional customer service, is a leader in their field, is highly innovative, and contributes to the exchange of agronomic knowledge within the agriculture industry. (This award celebrates an individual, not a company.) 

The nomination can be either for yourself or someone else. Nomination deadline is Nov. 25, 2025.

Iowa CCA Of The Year Nominations