News Release
Contact:
Billi Hunt, executive director
bhunt@cultivationcorridor.org
515-294-1127 or 515-480-2394
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 6, 2026
FORTY PROFESSIONALS COMPLETE
CULTIVATE 360 PROGRAM
HOSTED BY AMERICA’S CULTIVATION CORRIDOR
Statewide education and development program for agricultural professionals featured tours, panel discussions and workshops
DES MOINES, Iowa – Forty Iowa agriculture and food industry professionals completed the inaugural cohort of the Cultivate 360 program hosted by America’s Cultivation Corridor. The statewide industry education and professional development program was designed to deepen understanding of Iowa’s food and agriculture sector, polish leadership skills and expand professional networks.
The cohort sessions featured focused, immersive learning opportunities at host locations including Sukup Manufacturing, Corteva, KENT WORLDWIDE, and Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab. Cohort members participated in tours, professional development workshops and discussions on manufacturing trends, economic development, community partnerships and more.
The program was presented by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with program sponsorship from ISG.
"The first Cultivate 360 cohort demonstrated what's possible when we bring professionals from across Iowa's food and agriculture industries together to learn from one another," said Billi Hunt, executive director of America's Cultivation Corridor. "These 40 graduates leave with stronger connections, broader perspectives and a deeper understanding of the partnerships that make Iowa a global leader in agriculture. We look forward to seeing how they'll apply those experiences in their organizations and communities."
Professionals who completed the 2026 Cultivate 360 program include:
- Aaron Anderson, Sukup Manufacturing Co.
- Eric Anderson, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Nathan Behrends, Corteva
- Kelly Belknap, Grain Processing Corporation
- Katie Blomme, Chevron
- Kristine Bond, Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab
- Amy Busch, Cutbank Production House
- Katina Busch, John Deere
- Mikayla Dolch, National Pork Producers Council
- Joshua Fausch, John Deere
- Alyson Fendrick, Midwest Dairy
- Amanda Flesher, Corteva
- Brad Frisvold, Iowa Economic Development Authority
- Zeb Gore, John Deere
- Katy Griner, Iowa State University
- Casey Heilskov, Synk™ powered by Sukup®
- Carolyn Hetzel, Aginnovation
- Nathan Kooi, KENT WORLDWIDE
- Ann Krause, Practical Farmers of Iowa
- Andrew Leighton, John Deere
- Rachel Lium, Dragotec USA
- Carter Oliver, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Ben Potter, John Deere
- Michelle Prichard, Midwest Heritage Bank
- Renee Raap, Nationwide Agribusiness
- Morgan Romoser, Corteva
- Scott Schadler, CNH
- Ann Seda, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
- Troy Shoen, Chevron
- Chris Sievers, John Deere
- Zach Thompson, ISG
- Guy Trimble, Syngenta
- Steve Tritle, Syngenta
- Morgan Vogt, Corteva
- Randall Vos, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Aaron Wendel, Marsh McLennan
- Eric Weuve, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Sara Wollner, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Garren Zanker, Jewell Market
- Stephen Zimmerman, Syngenta
More details can be found at www.CultivationCorridor.org.
America’s Cultivation Corridor is the premier region for agricultural bioscience research, development and entrepreneurship thanks to world class innovation and global leadership of Iowa’s individuals, organizations and companies. Investors and partners in the Corridor are working together to accelerate the development of new technologies, strengthen Iowa’s ag bioscience workforce, attract economic development, and connect the state’s leadership and resources with the world.
Stakeholder organizations of America’s Cultivation Corridor include Iowa State University, Corteva, Deere & Company, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Pork Producers, KENT WORLDWIDE, MidAmerican Energy, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Chevron and Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Iowa’s agriculture industry includes global leaders in all sectors — advanced manufacturing, agricultural processing, animal health, biobased processing and fuels, plant sciences, predictive agriculture and more — as well as start-up companies with new technologies that will boost productivity, animal care and sustainability for farmers in Iowa and around the world. More information is available at CultivationCorridor.org, or by following on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
America’s Cultivation Corridor
Focused on further developing and marketing the world-renowned agricultural and bioscience economy in Iowa, America’s Cultivation Corridor is building on a rich history of innovation to accelerate value-added agriculture business development by attracting companies, talent and capital from across the globe to the state. Representing a diverse public-private coalition of stakeholders including the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Iowa State University, nonprofits and private sector companies from across the region and state, America’s Cultivation Corridor is one of the nation’s foremost cluster-based economic development organizations. For more information, visit CultivationCorridor.org.