Iowa Corn has named the students who will serve on its 2026-27 Collegiate Advisory Team, bringing a new group of agriculture-minded students into the corn industry's leadership and advocacy pipeline.
The organization announced the class Oct. 15 in a post authored by Sydney Garrett, saying it was "proud to announce the students selected" for the Collegiate Advisory Team program. The selection gives members a formal place in Iowa Corn's outreach structure for the coming school year.
The CAT program is more than a student roster. It keeps college leaders connected to the issues shaping Iowa agriculture, from corn markets and farmer priorities to the public-facing work of advocacy. Members get practice talking with peers, policymakers and consumers about corn's role in energy, feed, export and sustainability discussions.
Naming a new class for 2026-27 also points to continuity. Iowa Corn has run collegiate outreach as a recurring investment in the next generation of agricultural leadership rather than a one-off effort, and this class continues that pattern. For the students selected, the appointment puts them closer to farmer-funded organizations, policy conversations and industry relationships tied to Iowa's corn sector.
That connection is a practical one. Corn advocacy leans on people who understand both the farm gate and the broader supply chain, and collegiate programs give young leaders an early look at how producer priorities move through associations, campuses and public discussions.
Collegiate Advisory Team peer mentors:
- Lillian Bru, Garwin, IA – Iowa State University
- Davis McGrew, Mills County, IA – Iowa State University
Collegiate Advisory Team students:
- Nathanial Calonder, Tripoli, IA – Hawkeye Community College
- Ella Carico, Guthrie Center, IA – Southwestern Community College
- Garett Cash, Garner, IA – Iowa Central Community College
- Haley Copenhaver, Sioux City, IA – Morningside College
- Jacob Cornwell, Gladbrook, IA – Marshalltown Community College
- Anna German, Pella, IA – Iowa State University
- Austin Green, Easton, KS – Graceland University
- Olivia Johnson, Elma, IA – Iowa State University
- Emma Lamp, Letts, IA – Kirkwood Community College
- Caleb Lentz, Plainfield, IA – Iowa State University
- Jackie Minton, Smithland, IA – Iowa Central Community College
- Grace Naberhaus, Schaller, IA – Buena Vista University
- Erika Narber, Chariton, IA – Indian Hills Community College
- Callee Pellett, Atlantic, IA – Iowa State University
- Lillian Petersen, Iowa Falls, IA – Ellsworth Community College
- Ella Peterson, Red Oak, IA – Iowa State University
- Macy Philipp, Farley, IA – Iowa State University
- Landon Stolte, Lisbon, IA – Iowa State University
- Katlin Truelsen, Dewitt, IA – Iowa State University
- Annie Trumm, Cascade, IA – Iowa State University
- Kynlee Van Werden, Pleasant Hill, IA – Iowa State University
- Cooper VanderHeiden, Wheatland, IA – Iowa State University
