What the Iowa Farmers Union Convention Is
The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) annual convention is a two-day gathering of members that mixes policy work, speakers, workshops and elections. Members help write the IFU Policy Book and set the group's legislative priorities for the coming year. The most recent convention ran Friday and Saturday, December 5-6, 2025, at the Quality Inn and Suites, 2601 E 13th St, Ames, Iowa.
How It Works: The 2025 Program
Friday, December 5
- 9 a.m. Registration and check-in opens.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Iowa Local Food Summit, hosted by the Iowa Food System Coalition, with lunch provided. It featured a state agency panel and a state legislator panel.
- 3 to 7 p.m. Candidate forum and reception for IFU members, with drinks and light appetizers, featuring candidates in Iowa's four congressional districts and the U.S. Senate race.
Saturday, December 6
- 7 a.m. Registration opens.
- 8 a.m. Convention welcome and State of the Farmers Union address.
- 8:40 a.m. Trade and tariffs panel with Lori Wallach, Chad Hart, Jonathan Coppess and Aaron Lehman.
- 10:30 a.m. Two workshops to choose from: State of Rural Journalism in Iowa (Art Cullen, Chris Clayton, Cami Koons, Doug Burns), or How Local Food Helps the Farmers' Share.
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch and pie auction.
- 12:15 p.m. Keynote on the future of the farm bill by Jonathan Coppess.
- 1:15 p.m. Policy roundtables to identify priorities for IFU's 2026 policy positions.
- 2 p.m. Two more workshops: Lessons from Polk County: Cancer, Water, and You, or History of Rural Iowa Movement and a Member Action Workshop.
- 3:15 p.m. IFU board elections.
- 3:45 p.m. Policy roundtables and debate for the IFU Policy Book and 2026 legislative priorities.
- 5 p.m. Convention adjourns.
Who Takes Part
IFU members attend, vote in the board elections and take part in the policy roundtables. The Friday candidate forum and reception was set aside for IFU members. The Local Food Summit and workshops brought in outside speakers, including state agency staff, legislators, journalists and agricultural economists.
Key Dates
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Most recent convention | December 5-6, 2025 |
| Venue | Quality Inn and Suites, 2601 E 13th St, Ames |
| Registration desk | Opens 9 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday |
| Convention ends | 5 p.m. Saturday |
Dates for the next convention have not been announced.
Questions
What do members decide?
They elect board members and shape the IFU Policy Book and the organization's legislative priorities.
Is food provided?
Lunch was provided at the Friday Local Food Summit and Saturday included a lunch with a pie auction. Friday evening had drinks and light appetizers.
Where is it?
Quality Inn and Suites, 2601 E 13th St, Ames, Iowa.
Official Links
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