Leadership insights from Todd Frazier, board chair of America's Cultivation Corridor
Strong partnerships have always been one of Iowa's competitive advantages. Across our food and agriculture ecosystem, progress happens when people from different backgrounds come together with a shared purpose.
That was evident this week as America's Cultivation Corridor wrapped up the inaugural Cultivate 360 industry education and professional development program. Over four sessions, 41 professionals learned from business, economic development and community leaders and went behind the scenes for tours at some of the state’s leading companies. They challenged ideas, learned from one another and explored how collaboration can strengthen Iowa's future.
It is fitting that the final session of the program celebrating innovation was held at Iowa State’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab where cohort members toured the cutting-edge facilities and completed an agentic AI workshop.
I believe the end of the program marks the beginning of something much larger. As these leaders return to their organizations and communities, they carry with them new relationships, broader perspectives and renewed enthusiasm for Iowa's future.
Recent announcements from Iowa State are also the start of projects that will build partnerships and deliver long-term benefits. RuralSTAMINA is bringing together more than 70 public and private partners across Iowa and Nebraska and will use a National Science Foundation award to create new value-added products through the discovery and commercialization of innovations in biomass conversion and biomanufacturing. Iowa State researchers are part of eight projects in the federal Genesis Mission initiative to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery and national security.
The future of Iowa's innovation ecosystem will be built through partnerships like these. I can't wait to see what we accomplish together as these collaborations continue to grow across the Corridor.
Published August 2026.