Iowa Young Farmers Tour Showcases Agricultural Diversification

Annual event highlights value-added opportunities for next generation of producers

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium agricultural products and tools, including a glass bottle of whiskey, a wooden crate of fresh produce, and a set of meat processing equipment, all set against a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to conceptually represent the entrepreneurial spirit and diversification strategies of Iowa's young farmers.A showcase of the diverse value-added opportunities explored by innovative Iowa farmers during the Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.Guthrie Center Today

The 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour will take farmers ages 21-40 across western Iowa and into Nebraska to visit agricultural entrepreneurs who are growing income through direct-to-consumer sales, niche markets and creative approaches. Stops include a custom meat locker, a whiskey distillery, a truck stop and feed mill, a poultry farm, a diversified vegetable and flower farm, a robotic dairy, and a genetics company.

Why it matters

As farmers look to strengthen their bottom line, this tour offers young producers a chance to see firsthand how others are approaching diversification and value-added opportunities. The insights gained can help them identify practical ways to build resilience and add income on their own farms.

The details

The two-day tour will visit a range of agricultural businesses, from a locally owned meat locker and an award-winning whiskey distillery to a full-service truck stop and a dairy using the latest robotic technology. Participants will get an inside look at the operations, learn about the owners' strategies, and explore how they are tapping into new markets and revenue streams.

  • The 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour will be held on June 4–5, 2026.
  • Participants will stay overnight at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Omaha on June 4.

The players

Iowa Farm Bureau

The state's largest general farm organization, representing more than 153,000 member families.

Zach Brummer

Iowa Farm Bureau farmer education program manager, who oversees the Ag Insights Tour.

Guthrie County Quality Meats

A locally owned and operated custom and state-inspected meat locker that processes beef, pork, sheep and goats.

Templeton Rye Distillery

An award-winning distillery that earned its reputation in the prohibition era as 'The Good Stuff'.

Waspy's Truck Stop and Feed Mill Restaurant

A full hospitality destination spanning more than 16 acres, created by a local farmer and featuring a restaurant, hotel and other amenities.

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What they’re saying

“This tour puts you in the middle of operations that are doing more with what they already produce. From processing and branding to tapping into new markets, young farmers can see practical ways others are building resilience and adding income on the farm, while also connecting with peers navigating similar decisions around growth, risk and diversification.”

— Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau farmer education program manager

What’s next

Farmers interested in attending the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour can register online at www.iowafarmbureau.com/aginsights. The registration fee is $75 per person or $125 per couple for Farm Bureau members, or $275 per person for non-members. Farmers who are not members can join Iowa Farm Bureau for $60 or less to access the discounted rate and additional program benefits.

The takeaway

This tour provides a valuable opportunity for the next generation of Iowa farmers to learn firsthand from innovative agricultural entrepreneurs who are diversifying their operations and finding new ways to add value and increase profitability. The insights gained can help young producers identify practical strategies to strengthen the resilience and income potential of their own farms.