Leadership insights from Billi Hunt, executive director of America's Cultivation Corridor.
Iowa has long been a place where agricultural innovation happens. That proved true in 2025 once again with new connections, growing momentum and real progress across our agricultural innovation ecosystem.
From groundbreakings and new project announcements to a growing network of investors, companies and collaborators looking to take their ideas to the next level, Iowa is leading the way. Our advantage is bringing together strengths that few places can match: a globally relevant production agriculture base, world-class research institutions, forward-thinking companies and a culture that values collaboration over competition.
At America’s Cultivation Corridor, we are working to not only connect the dots in our fast-moving ecosystem, but build relationships that create value. Bringing people together across sectors, stages of business and perspectives creates momentum that no single organization can generate on its own. The Corridor provides a place where ideas can be tested and innovation can move faster because the right people are in the room.
The next generation of agricultural innovation will require capital, creativity and commitment. It will require people who are willing to invest not just dollars, but their vision, forward thinking, time and energy into building solutions that matter, and it will require entrepreneurs who see Iowa as a place to start, scale and stay.
If you are interested in investing in agriculture’s future, growing an innovative company, or helping build the next generation of solutions for food and farming, Iowa should be on your radar, and the Corridor can help you start.
In 2025, we saw what is possible when leadership, innovation and collaboration come together. I can’t wait to see how we build on that foundation in 2026.
If you’re ready to be part of what’s next, email us or connect on LinkedIn.
Published December 2025