Investing in the Future of Agriculture
May 18, 2026
Written by: Carla Elliott, VP of Human Resources
The future of agriculture depends on people—those willing to learn, lead, and give back to their communities. That belief guides our continued commitment to education, career development, and strengthening the agricultural workforce.
This year, we proudly awarded 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, business, science, conservation, finance, communications, technology, and policy. These students attend universities and community colleges across the Midwest and reflect the diverse skills needed in today’s evolving agricultural industry.
Our IAS Agriculture Scholarships and IAS Dependent Scholarships demonstrate our commitment not only to industry growth, but also to the families and communities that support it. Agriculture today is multidisciplinary, data‑driven, and community‑focused, and these scholarships help prepare students to contribute across many areas of the field.
Two scholarships, the Jack Friedman Scholarship and the Rick Vaughan Scholarship, honor the lasting legacies of our CEO Emeritus. These two individuals exemplify leadership, stewardship, and dedication to agriculture. Scholarships awarded in their names support students focused on agricultural systems, data science, economics, and rural policy—fields critical to the future of food, energy, and rural development.
Our investment in students extends well beyond scholarships. In addition to an annual internship program that brings college students into real‑world agricultural careers, we begin outreach as early as high school through IAS Ag Pathways. This program is designed to support agricultural educators by connecting students to career opportunities in agriculture through interactive classroom and FFA chapter visits. By reinforcing career readiness, leadership development, and the relevance of agriculture beyond graduation, IAS Ag Pathways helps students see the wide range of futures available within the industry.
Ken Smith, current CEO, believes that investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen agriculture and the communities we serve. Through scholarships, internships, and early‑career exposure, we are committed to developing the next generation of agricultural professionals who will drive innovation, leadership, and long‑term success across our industry.
Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
| Student Name | Scholarship Awarded | College Attending | Area of Study | Hometown |
| Kalli Barber | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | Iowa State University | Dairy Science | DeWitt, IA |
| Madie Deutmeyer | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | Hawkeye Community College | Agricultural Business | Ryan, IA |
| Zoie Koehler | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | University of Wisconsin–Platteville | Environmental Science & Conservation | Scales Mound, IL |
| Brooklynn Flenker | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | Iowa State University | Animal Science with a minor in Business | LeClaire, IA |
| Annie Trumm | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | Iowa State University | Agricultural Studies | Cascade, IA |
| Reese McCormick | IAS Agriculture Scholarship | University of Northern Iowa | Accounting & Finance | Harpers Ferry, IA |
| Jake Hertrampf | IAS Dependent Scholarship | Kirkwood Community College | Business / Finance | Elkader, IA |
| Claire Hewitt | IAS Dependent Scholarship | DMACC / Iowa State University | Agricultural Communications | Jewell, IA |
| Luke Boyle | Jack Friedman Scholarship | Iowa State University | Agricultural Systems Technology & Data Science | Peosta, IA |
| Caleb Helgerson | Rick Vaughan Scholarship | Iowa State University | Agronomy with a co‑major in Agriculture & Rural Policy | Lansing, IA |
Pictured: Jake Hertrampf, 2026 IAS Dependent Scholarship recipient and son of IAS Feed Mill Lead Ed Hertrampf, with Eric Cherne, Elkader Location Manager.