Six Fairfield FFA members had the opportunity to visit the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on March 4th, thanks to sponsorship from the Jefferson County Farm Bureau.
Outreach Coordinator Hailey Shultz attended alongside Jefferson County Farm Bureau board members Courtney Burkhalter and Ryan Metz. Fairfield FFA advisor Elly Stremsterfer accompanied the six student members: Emily Short, Natalie Steele, Bobby Short, Konrad Hellweg, Jackson Hollander, and Benji Hunter.
The group met with Representative Helena Hayes and Senator Adrian Dickey, where students participated in conversations about issues impacting agriculture and rural communities across Iowa. Following the legislative meetings, the group took part in a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the Capitol, learning about Iowa’s history and exploring various areas of the historic building.
The group then enjoyed lunch in the Capitol cafeteria while listening to Starlyn Perdue, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Iowa, along with Iowa Farm Bureau lobbyists. The speakers provided an overview of the legislative process and explained Farm Bureau’s role in advocating for Iowa farmers and rural residents.
The day concluded with a one-on-one discussion with Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, giving students a unique opportunity to engage directly with state leadership and gain firsthand insight into state government and civic involvement.
Photo courtesy of Hailey Shultz.
