April Hemmes isn’t just a fourth-generation Iowa farmer—she’s a global advocate for agriculture. From running her family’s century farm in Franklin County to advising the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United Nations, April has built a career that blends hands-on farming with big-picture leadership. In this episode, she shares how she’s kept her operation productive and sustainable for over 40 years, why she invests in technology and conservation, and how she empowers other women in ag to build profitable businesses.
April Hemmes, a farmer, rancher, and ag leader whose influence spans from Franklin County, Iowa, to international policy discussions. April operates her family’s century farm—1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and pasture—while serving on an impressive list of boards and advisory councils, including the United Soybean Board, USDA Foreign Ag Service Ag Technical Advisory Council, and multiple Iowa ag organizations.
April’s story starts with a degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University and early work in banking, ag research, and policy. In 1993, she took over the family farm, transitioning from a farrow-to-finish hog and cattle operation to a highly productive, tech-driven grain farm. She’s never plowed her land, instead adopting no-till, buffer strips, wetlands, filter strips, and pollinator habitats to protect soil and water.
She also leads a women’s grain marketing group with economist Kelvin Leibold, empowering members to increase their farm incomes by $10,000 to $30,000 through smarter marketing strategies. Her leadership has earned her numerous honors, including Iowa Master Farmer, Monsanto’s Farm Mom of the Year, and induction into the FarmHer Hall of Fame.
In our conversation, April shares:
How she balances technology investments with a used machinery strategy.
Why conservation practices have been non-negotiable on her farm.
How serving in leadership roles at the state, national, and global level influences her farm decisions.
What she’s learned from 40 years of running a farm as both owner and operator.
Why building strong marketing skills is one of the best returns on investment for any farmer.
We also lighten things up with a rapid-fire “Would You Rather” segment—revealing whether April prefers harvest or planting, beef or pork, and if she’d rather talk to animals or speak every human language.
Whether you’re interested in leadership, conservation, technology, or marketing, this episode offers inspiration and practical takeaways from one of the most respected voices in agriculture.