Our History & Past Speakers

Our History

Since 1987 the Celebration of Agriculture has put on this event to honor those who are involved in all aspects of agribusiness and play a vital role in building and growing a dynamic agricultural industry. This event continues its tradition of fighting food insecurity by raising funds for, and awareness of, HACAP’s Food Reservoir. Recent events have brought 700-1,000 attendees representing more than 60 businesses with ties to agriculture from across Eastern Iowa to enjoy an evening of networking, dinner and a keynote speaker.

Past Event Speakers

2024 Sonny Purdue, Former United States Secretary of Agriculture
2023 Richard Childress, Former NASCAR driver & owner of Richard Childress Racing
2022 Jann Carl, co-host of Small Town Big Deal
2021 Cancelled due to Covid-19
2020 Cancelled due to Covid-19
2019 Tyne Morgan, Host of U.S. Farm Report at Farm Journal Media
2018 Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, President, Iowa State University
2017 Robert White, VP of Industry Relations, Renewable Fuels Association
2016 Dr. Lowell Catlett, Dean of Agriculture, New Mexico State University
2015 Dr. Steven Leath, President, Iowa State University
2014 Jolene Brown, Farmer, Author, Professional Speaker
2013 Damian Mason, Professional Speaker, Writer & Farmer
2012 John Phipps, Host of U.S. Farm Report
2011 Dr. Lowell Catlett, Dean of Agriculture, New Mexico State University
2010 Frank Rydzewski, The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
2009 Baxter Black, Cowboy Poet
2008 Mike Johanns, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
2007 Dr. Lowell Catlett, Dean of Agriculture, New Mexico State University
2006 Robert Dineen, President & CEO, Renewable Fuels Association
2005 Ann M. Veneman, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
2004 Kenneth M. Quinn, President, The World Food Prize Foundation
2003 Catherine E. Woteki, Dean of Agriculture, Iowa State University
2002 Dan Glickman, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
2001 Richard Fritz, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
2000 Thomas Vilsack, Governor of Iowa
1999 Mark Pearson, Host of “Market to Market”
1998 Merlin Olsen, Spokesperson, Pioneer Hi-Bred Inc
1997 Dr. David Kohl, Professor, Virginia Tech
1996 Roy Reiman, Owner, Reiman Publications
1995 Dr. Martin Jischke, President, Iowa State University
1994 Martin Andreas, Archer Daniels Midland
1993 Ed Madigan, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
1992 Orion Samuelson, Broadcaster, WGN, Chicago
1991 Cooper Evans, Former Special Assistant to the President
1990 John Block, Former U.S. Secretary of agriculture
1989 Victor Lischenko, Soviet Economist
1988 Chet Randolph, Host of “Market to Market”
1987 Dr. Gordon Eaton, President, Iowa State University