Montgomery County Farm Bureau

09/28/2026

Ag Leaders visit Washington DC officials,
Jason Sickels of Red Oak participates

Farm Bureau members from across the state departed their Iowa farms for Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-17, and met with their elected officials and agency representatives, joining a multi-state fly-in. Members shared personal stories from their farms and examples of how important ag issues impact their communities, including highlighting the critical need to pass an updated farm bill. Other important topics and issues raised by members included protecting interstate commerce and growing opportunities for trade.

The Farm Bureau leaders participated in a multi-state fly-in joining farmers representing all areas of American agriculture in advocating for congressional action on the new farm bill. Members stressed the urgency of passing an updated farm bill and shared how historically low crop prices create many challenges for farmers and threaten family farms and ag-related businesses. The farmer delegation urged lawmakers to make critical updates to the farm safety net which are needed to help farmers manage risk and provide certainty for long-term planning. Their efforts were impactful, as the U.S. Senate Ag Committee advanced the new farm bill, including IFBF-supported year-round E15 access.

The Washington, D.C. trip serves as the culmination of the year-long Ag Leaders Institute, a program designed for Farm Bureau members of all ages who care about the future of agriculture and want to make a positive impact; have the potential for providing exceptional leadership in their community, county and state; and are interested in advancing in leadership positions within Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants learn about the latest information and insights on issues important to agriculture, practice developing the leadership skills needed to deal with issues critical to agriculture and leading change and develop a statewide network of leaders in Farm Bureau and agriculture who are committed to the future of rural Iowa. Graduates will be recognized at the Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting, Dec. 8-9 in Des Moines.

Photo: There were 29 members from the graduating class of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) Ag Leaders Institute, which trains members on how to represent their farms, their county Farm Bureaus and the ag industry, joined the trip. Included in the trip, pictured from left, were Dustin Applegate of Oakland, Jason Sickels of Red Oak, Jake Steinbeck of Griswold, Mollie Clark of Yale, Jake Smith of Sidney, Jeena Hall of Mondamin and Josh Woods of Prescott.

09/28/2026

Villisca couple earns Farm Bureau outstanding citizen award

At the Sept. 14 board meeting, Montgomery County Farm Bureau presented the 2026 outstanding citizen award for dedicated civic involvement in the county. The recognition was given to a couple that has been a part of the local community for many years – Darwin and Julia Williams of Villisca.

Darwin was born in Montgomery County and graduated from Villisca. Julia was also born in Montgomery County, attended school in Wales and graduated from Red Oak. Darwin took part in FFA and 4-H in Page County. Julia was a member of the Loyal Lincoln Lassies girls’ 4-H club for 9 years and did take a trip to Washington D.C. during that time.

The couple was married in September 1966 in Wales. Their children are Patti, Jeff and Mindy. They also have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The Williams’ have lived in Villisca for the last 42 years.

Darwin was the manager of the Villisca Coop for several years. He was the board president of the Montgomery County Historical Society for 20 years, and a member for many years before that. Darwin served on the Villisca Betterment Committee. He was a charter member of the Villisca Lions Club that started in 1987 and held offices in the club and district. He helped with all the club projects. He was a Lions member for 51 years, which included Shenandoah and Clearfield.

Julia was an RN working with care centers and teaching CNA classes for 50 years. Julia joined the Lions Club in 1988 and held all the offices. Her hobby is crocheting. She gathered a group of ladies together for a Lions project and they crocheted over 100 blankets for Ronald McDonald houses in Iowa. They both retired from the Lions in 2025.

The Williams’ are members of the Villisca United Methodist Church. They have volunteered with many events over the years through their church. They have been active in their community until the last two years, when health issues slowed them down.

Photo: Farm Bureau board President Krista Huntsman (center) offers an outstanding citizen plaque to Darwin and Julia Williams of Villisca.

07/28/2026

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARM BUREAU at the County Fair

Farm Bureau Day at the 2026 Montgomery County Fair was held on July 16. Board members volunteered to spend time with local citizens who visited the booth that day. Prizes were given to attendees for spinning the Ag Trivia wheel and answering questions. These included a variety of Farm Bureau bags, T-shirts, measuring tapes, hats, koozies, notepads, oven sticks, and more. Fun kids’ activities included farm animal puzzles, ag fact game pages, stickers, and farm booklets.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau members were thanked for their membership and continued support with Fair Board food stand vouchers for complimentary food that week.

Helping at the Farm Bureau booth that day were Farm Bureau board members Krista Huntsman, Connor Hultman, Rick Gustafson Eva Coughlin, Stacy Perkins, Riley Pelzer, Terry Anderson, Lucas Oster, and Steve Dolch. They represented Farm Bureau’s commitment to agriculture and rural vitality.

07/28/2026

Life on the Farm Game winner named

A drawing was held at the Farm Bureau booth during the Montgomery County Fair on July 6 and the winner was Deanna Suchting of Red Oak. Her grandchildren will enjoy playing the game she says. This was the first year for the Farm Bureau booth at the county fair and many community members stopped by for giveaways, ag trivia, and kids’ activities.

07/28/2026

FARM BUREAU BREAKFAST AT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR!

The Montgomery County Fair was held in Red Oak recently. The 6th annual community service breakfast was hosted by Montgomery County Farm Bureau to support busy 4-H members during the fair. Farm Bureau volunteers served free breakfast burritos near the show barn on July 16 to about 80 4-H’ers, families, and county fair staff, during the goat and sheep shows that morning. It made for a quick, easy breakfast, courtesy of Farm Bureau.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau thanks Rich Hall of Southwest Iowa Egg for their generous contribution, Nachurs for use of the large grill, and BP Lincoln Farm and Home for donating ice.

Photo: from left, Montgomery County Farm Bureau board members Eva Coughlin and Cody Vanderholm prepare a breakfast burrito for Stacy True of Villisca. Free breakfast was served to 4-H families and fair staff during the Montgomery County Fair July 16. Also helping with the breakfast were board members Krista Huntsman, Rick Gustafson, Connor Hultman, Thomas Bates, Stacy Perkins, Jason Sickels, Lucas Oster, and Riley Pelzer.

07/16/2026

LOCAL YOUNG FARMERS INVITED TO GOLF DAY!

Montgomery County young farmers are invited to attend a District 9 Golf Tournament sponsored by Adams County Farm Bureau on Monday, Aug. 31. It is an 18-hole best-ball tournament held at the Happy Hollow Country Club in Corning starting at 10 a.m.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau is sponsoring a team. The cost is $160 and it is limited to the first 18 teams (4-person). Lunch is included as part of the team registration, grilled by the Adams County Cattlemen. Rental carts are available for an additional charge.

The tournament is designed to be a social outing and networking opportunity for area farmers and those working in the ag industry. Players don’t have to be young farmers, just ‘young at heart’ and willing to enjoy a day of golfing, fun and fellowship.

To register, call the Adams County Farm Bureau at 641-322-4343 by Aug. 21. The event will fill quickly. The registration form is available at the Farm Bureau office in Red Oak too. To be a part of the Montgomery County team, call the Red Oak office at 712-623-5546.

Hole sponsors are still needed, and this will include signage and Facebook promotion.

07/16/2026

Learn about dairy and milking at the Montgomery County Fair this week

Attendees going to the Montgomery County Fair can visit a dairy display and milking demo, hosted by the Don and Chris Nippert family of Villisca. Both are 4-H leaders and fair superintendents, and they will present this all-day activity to teach fair-goers about dairy products.

Stop by the sheep and goat barn July 15-18, all four days, to view the goats, learn nutritional information, and receive dairy hand-outs, kids’ activity sheets, and recipes. A hands-on milking demonstration will be held each day at 5 p.m. On Saturday July 18, an additional milking takes place at 11 a.m. with the Montgomery County Clover Kids group. Each Clover Kid will receive a ‘My Family’s Dairy Farm’ book by Katie Olthoff courtesy of Farm Bureau.

The event promotes the ag industry and is held in collaboration with the Montgomery County Extension and Montgomery County Farm Bureau.

07/16/2026

TODAY at the Montgomery County Fair:
Come to the FARM BUREAU DAY BOOTH!

Farm Bureau Day will be held Thursday, July 16, during the Montgomery County Fair. The Montgomery County Farm Bureau board of directors is celebrating its members, as well as residents who attend the 2026 county fair.

Look for the large flag near the Farm Bureau booth on the fairgrounds south of the show ring from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be kids’ activities, stickers and ag fact fun sheets, large farm animal puzzles, a drawing for a Life on the Farm game, and many giveaways for everyone. Spin the ag-trivia wheel to win a prize. Visit with our board members volunteering that day about Farm Bureau’s commitment to rural vitality.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau ‘Member Appreciation’ that day includes a complimentary $15 food voucher to our members to be redeemed at the Fair Board food stand. One voucher is given per county membership and is a one-time use only. The gift voucher can be picked up directly at the Farm Bureau booth. It is a thank you to our members for their continued support. Anyone joining Farm Bureau that day can receive a free food voucher.

04/28/2026

Montgomery County educators - this is nearby on Aug. 4-5!

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04/28/2026