The Iowa Farmers Union Board of Directors welcomes you to the 2026 Iowa Farmers Union Annual Convention. This gathering is our chance to come together, reflect on the year and chart the course ahead. Your voice is essential, and we’re glad you’re here.
During our two days of programming, we will engage in timely workshops and panels, discuss key issues for Iowa family farmers, share food and fellowship, elect our leaders and set the policy priorities that will guide us in the year ahead. We hope you leave energized to make a difference on your farm and in your community.
Friday begins with the Iowa Food System Coalition’s Iowa Local Food Summit, followed by a workshop on water quality and food sovereignty presented by the Meskwaki Nation. In the evening, join us for a reception featuring retired farm columnist Alan Guebert and a screening of “The Immortal Lincoln,” featuring Iowa newspaperman and friend of IFU Doug Burns.
On Saturday, hear from our panel on what the 2026 elections mean for farm country and family farmers. Choose from workshops on local meat processing, water quality and cancer in Iowa, Right to Repair, and rural leadership with our Obama Foundation fellows.
Don’t miss our keynote address by Alvaro Bedoya, former commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, who will share his insights on corporate consolidation in agriculture and what it will take to build fairer markets for family farmers. Participate in policy roundtables and debate as we work together to shape the 2027 IFU Policy Book. And be sure to take part in IFU board elections, where your voice helps determine the leadership that will carry our mission forward.
We’re grateful to the Meskwaki Nation for welcoming us to Tama this year. Enjoy the convention!
Alvaro Bedoya is a senior adviser at the American Economic Liberties Project. He served as a commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission from 2022 to 2025, where he focused on how antitrust law can better protect workers, small businesses and rural communities. He took a special interest in the challenges facing small-town grocers and pharmacists, and helped lead the FTC’s revival of the Robinson-Patman Act, a long-dormant law meant to give small sellers a level playing field against retail giants. Before joining the FTC, Bedoya served as chief counsel to Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota and founded the Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law. Born in Peru and raised in upstate New York, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Are you having issues with your registration? Email Christina Dexter at [email protected] or call 816-738-5402.
