Iowa Corn I-LEAD Class 12 Selected for Participation

Iowa Corn I-LEAD Class 12 Selected for Participation

Iowa Corn is proud to announce the members selected to participate in Class 12 of the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) program, which focuses on increasing industry professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the corn industry. This reputable ag leadership program is a two-year intensive learning experience available through the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. 

I-LEAD Class 12 Members: 

  • Adam Sibbel, Indigo and Farmer
  • Amanda Fortman, Iowa Corn 
  • Andrew Falco, Growth Energy 
  • Blake Bayliss, Feed Energy Company and Farmer
  • Brandon Kuhn, Midwest Growth Partners 
  • Elizabeth McOllough, Gold-Eagle Cooperative 
  • Heidi Mandt, Waukee Community School District 
  • Jacob Burt, Bayer Crop Science and Farmer
  • Jamin Manus, Innovative Ag Services 
  • Jonathan Bladt, Office of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and Farmer
  • Kate Long, Farm Credit Services of America and Farmer
  • Kent Hartwig, Gevo, Inc. and Farmer
  • Kiersten Stover, Bayer Crop Science 
  • Luke Nieuwendorp, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 
  • Marshall Dolch, Syngenta Crop Protection 
  • Matthew Kilworth, Corteva Agriscience and Farmer
  • Paula Ellis, Farmer
  • Rebecca Frantz, Hertz Farm Management 
  • Rob Ratchford, BankIowa 
  • Ross Cady, Incite.ag 
  • Ryan Schwyn, Homeview Agronomy and Farmer
  • Sophie Bell, Farmer 
  • Zackery Leist, Syngenta Crop Protection and Farmer

The I-LEAD class will meet ten times over the course of two years providing experience and training by Iowa Corn in areas such as leadership, effective communication, policy, advocacy and global agriculture. The program includes an experience in Washington D.C., a domestic agricultural learning mission and an international learning mission.   

 For more information on the program, visit www.iowacorn.org/ilead.   

For More Information:

Sydney Garrett, Public Relations Manager, sgarrett@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242

Related Articles

News & UpdatesNews
Iowa Corn Farmers Honored at the Iowa State Fair
August 24, 2026
Iowa Corn Farmers Honored at the Iowa State Fair

A sea of Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) member blue t-shirts descended on the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday, August 21, to celebrate Iowa Corn Day at the Fair. Fairgoers visited with members from around the state as they took part in a scavenger hunt across the fairgrounds to complete corn trivia while learning about...

News & UpdatesNews
Iowa Corn Farmers Meet with Top DOJ Official on Fertilizer Industry Consolidation
August 19, 2026
Iowa Corn Farmers Meet with Top DOJ Official on Fertilizer Industry Consolidation

Yesterday, Iowa corn farmer members from across the state met with Department of Justice (DOJ) Associate Attorney General of the United States, Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. about the pressures U.S. farmers are facing due to continued fertilizer price increases caused by major consolidation within the fertilizer industry.  Farmers shared first-hand accounts of sharp fertilizer price...