Iowa Corn Opportunities

Iowa Corn is a farmer-led organization based in Johnston, Iowa, run by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board to create long-term profitability for Iowa corn growers. Its equity fund, Iowa Corn Opportunities, was established in 2008. Iowa Corn Opportunities is an equity fund, owned by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, that invests in value-added agriculture opportunities for corn growers and rural communities, across startups, growth companies, venture capital funds, and private equity funds. A seven-member board of farmers, industry experts, and Iowa Corn leaders manages it. Investments include Agrivida, Grain Weevil, Låkril Technologies, Quercus Biosolutions, PowerPollen, FarmlandFinder, Next Level Ventures, and Midwest Growth Partners. The fund invests equity and expects a return, and its investments are not forgivable loans or grants. Iowa Corn’s grant-style support includes Future of Agriculture Scholarships: eighteen $1,000 awards, nine for first-year students and nine for upperclassmen and graduate students, open to Iowa Corn Growers Association members and their children pursuing agriculture degrees. Checkoff dollars also fund corn research and new-use development.