Founded with the mission to empower veterans to thrive in Iowa agriculture, the journey to establish Veterans in Agriculture began in 2012.
June 21, 2012
Lyle Stewart setup an initial meeting on with representatives from the Iowa Farm Bureau to discuss a Farmer Veteran Coalition.
July 12, 2012
A meeting was held with Iowa State University (ISU), to discuss establishing an “Iowa Farmer Veteran Coalition”. 25 representatives from: ISU Extension, ISU Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, ISU Veterans Services, ISU Agricultural Education, ISU Benton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology Transfer, Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators, Drake Agricultural Law Center, National Center for Appropriate Technology, National Farmer Veterans Coalition, and the Iowa Air National Guard attended the meeting.
December 6, 2012
A steering committee met and decided to proceed with incorporation of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa.
January 10, 2013
John Baker moved for the adoption of the Articles of Incorporation of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa; seconded by Lyle Stewart; motion passed. Incorporators included: Ed Cox, Beth Grabau, Abby Cline, Steve Ferguson, Hanna Lewis, David Baker, Morey Hill, Mike Bobst, John Baker and Lyle Stewart. John Baker moved that the initial eight board of directors to be: Ed Cox, Abby Cline, Mike Bobst, Steve Ferguson, David Baker, Morey Hill, Lyle Stewart, and John Baker would serve as an advisor and ex-officio member; seconded by Ed Cox; motion passed. Mike Bobst moved to elect Ed Cox as Chairman of the board of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa, seconded by Morey Hill, motion passed. Morey Hill moved that Lyle Stewart be elected Secretary/ Treasurer, Steve Ferguson seconded, motion passed. Mike Bobst moved that Abby Cline be elected as Vice-chairman, seconded by John Baker, motion passed. Morey Hill moved that an Organizational Development Committee be setup and that it would consist of the initial board of directors, seconded by Steve Ferguson, motion passed.
April 2013
The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa transitioned to “Veterans in Agriculture,” with the mission: “To empower veterans to thrive in Iowa Agriculture.”