April Hemmes

April Hemmes – April is a farmer and rancher. She farm’s her family’s century farm south of Hampton Iowa. The farm consists of approximately 1000 acres. She has been owner and operator of her farm for almost forty years. The farm is corn, soybean rotation and pasture land. April is the full time farmer in this family and her husband works off farm. April has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Iowa State University. From there she worked in a bank, ISU Agronomy Department doing research, Iowa Swine Testing Station in Ames, Legislative Aide for an Iowa Congressman in Washington D.C., and NK brand seeds doing research. She serves on many national, state and local boards and committees. April has participated in writing many grants for projects involving educating women in agriculture with a focus on finance, marketing, intergenerational communication and to inform asset owners. Funders have included Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and Risk Management Education Agency North Central Region. Also has started a Women’s Grain Marketing Group. Named 2024 Iowa Master Farmer, Awarded first Top Producer & Executive Women in Ag Trailblazer Award, Monsanto’s Farm Mom of the Year 2011 Mid-West Region Winner, Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, Franklin County Alumni 4-H Award and FFA Alumni award. First Inductee to the FarmHer Hall of Fame, Iowa State University's Women Impacting the Land for work done in conservation on her land and Iowa State University Extension Friend of Extension Award. Participated in 2 USAID Farmer to Farmer projects, Increasing Competitiveness of Ugandan Women Farmers in the Marketplace. April has been fortunate to travel the United States and six continents to study agriculture and promote U.S. raised commodities.