Official Start for 2027 Board Of Directors As Membership Year Begins

October brings the beginning of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa membership year and the official start for the 2027 board of directors. We welcome our new directors: Kevin Bown, AgVantage FS; Tim Cassidy, Heartland Co-op; and Boone Morgan, Gold-Eagle Cooperative. Thank you to all of the board members for their willingness to serve the industry in their leadership roles.

Executive Officers

Kenney Receives Award From CropLife

AAI CEO Julie Kenney was recognized during the CropLife America annual meeting this week with a State Leadership Award. The award recognizes state-level leadership and advocacy on behalf of agriculture through science, dedication, partnership, and leadership, that advances solutions to support farmers, strengthen agriculture, and benefit consumers around the world.

Kenney also participated in a panel discussion with fellow industry leaders on state legislative advocacy and policy. The panel highlighted the importance of continued partnerships with CropLife America and the many stakeholders working to advance science-based policy and regulation as more legislative activity moves to the state level.

The additional members of the panel who shared their perspectives and insight were: Chris Averill, Executive Director Montana Agribusiness Association; Elizabeth Burns Thompson, Executive Director of Modern Ag Alliance; Lindsay Thompson, Director Delaware and Maryland Agribusiness Association; and Mark Biel, CEO Chemical Industry Council of Illinois.

Avoid Delays, Renew Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Early

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Pesticide Bureau receives an influx of commercial and private pesticide applications each year between Oct. 1 and April 15. Applicators and businesses can speed up the renewal and processing times by using IDALS online application portal.

• Online applications are received, processed and delivered faster than mail-in submissions, typically within 1-15 business days.
• The system provides email notifications and online tracking information to monitor the status of your applications.
• Digital cards and license certificates are available online 24 hours after the applications are processed.
• No additional documents are required to apply online. 

If you need additional help with the online portal, the Pesticide Bureau developed a variety of print and video resources to help guide applicators through the submission process: Pesticide Portal Quick Guides

If you have questions or need additional guidance, visit the Applicator Licensing & Certification page on the IDALS website.

Exhibitor Registration For AAI Gold & Silver Affiliate Members Opens Oct. 5

All AAI Affiliate Members who invested at the Silver or Gold dues level in 2026 may begin exhibitor registration for the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference on Oct. 5. Contact us to reserve your booth - email agribizshowcase@agribiz.org, or call the AAI Main Office at 515.262.8323.

GENERAL EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION OPENS OCT. 13

Exhibitor registration for the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference opens on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. The exhibitor packet with full details is available on the Showcase registration site. Exhibitors choose their booth locations when registering on a first come, first served basis. View the registration site for booth maps and available spaces.

EARLY REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITY

All Premier and Event level sponsors ($2500 and above) receive the opportunity to claim their booth spaces before general registration opens on Oct. 13. If you would like to secure a sponsorship for your company, email agribizshowcase@agribiz.org, or call the AAI Main Office - 515.262.8323.

Visit AgribizShowcase.com for all exhibitor and sponsor information.

Out And About

Iowa Nitrogen Initiative quarterly meeting

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

CropLife America annual meeting

Attended by: Julie Kenney

The Fertilizer Institute board meeting

Attended by: Julie Kenney

Agricultural Nutrient Policy Council meeting

Attended by: Julie Kenney

Member & Industry Visits

• AgVend

Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

• Sidings by Standard Rail

Visit by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Iowa Press Talks To Candidates for Sec. of Ag

On this edition of Iowa Press, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidates Chris Jones (D-Iowa City) and Mike Naig (R-Des Moines) discuss key issues and policy positions. 

Watch the episode of Iowa Press