Check-in on the Checkoff: Growing a New Class of Leaders

By: Joe Roberts

Joe Roberts is a farmer from Belmond, Iowa, and serves as the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) President and on the Exports and The Grain Trade Committee. 

Life within agriculture is never idle. There is always plenty of work to be done, whether you work on or off the farm. However, one important aspect everyone in our industry should prioritize is professional development. The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) recognizes the need to continue cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders, which is why we recently announced our Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) Program Class 12 participants. 

I-LEAD was created to bring together talented leaders who want to contribute to a better future for Iowa’s communities and the long-term profitability of agriculture in Iowa. Many members of these classes have become strong leaders and spokespeople for not only Iowa agriculture but also Iowa Corn. I am a graduate of I-LEAD Class 10 and can personally attest that the experience and connections helped lead me to where I am today. 

Participants in the two-year program develop essential communication and policy skills while enhancing their understanding of both domestic and global aspects of the agriculture supply chain. They engage in both a domestic and an international learning mission and participate in a variety of leadership training sessions throughout the course. Additionally, as members of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), they visit the state Capitol and attend Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., where they advocate for issues affecting Iowa’s corn growers. 

Upon completing the program, attendees graduate at the Iowa Corn Annual Grassroots Summit. Each class brings together a diverse range of perspectives, experiences, and leadership styles, continually elevating the program. I-LEAD graduates go on to be leaders, advocates, and mentors in the agricultural field, creating a lasting impact that goes beyond Iowa Corn. 

To learn more about the I-LEAD program, visit www.iowacorn.org/leadership-programs/. 

Thank you, 

Joe Roberts 

Iowa Corn Promotion Board President