Presenting the award to Christy Calderwood (center) is Iowa Farm Bureau Vice-President Joe Heinrich (left) and Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill (right). Submitted photo

Christy Calderwood of Tama County has successfully completed Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) Ag Leaders Institute, an intensive training program for new and emerging county Farm Bureau leaders with the potential to provide exceptional leadership within their county, district and state.

The Ag Leaders Institute prepares participants to become the next generation of Farm Bureau and agricultural leaders. The institute is represented by men and women who actively farm or are dedicated to the ag industry through their line of work. Through year-long activities and working sessions, these individuals develop the skills needed to become effective leaders in both volunteer and elected positions. To date, the program has recognized more than 500 graduates.

“Many Ag Leaders Institute graduates have gone on to serve in various levels of leadership from county Farm Bureau board president to Iowa representatives and senators,” says Mary Foley Balvanz, IFBF leadership training manager. “The goal of this program is to help participants establish a network, gain an understanding on critical issues important to agriculture and rural Iowa and develop skills for leading change.”