The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has rippled across our state’s schools, communities and businesses. We couldn’t be prouder of the way that individuals, organizations and companies across the Corridor have stepped up to help, while working to protect their own employees and families.

Here are just a few examples:

In Iowa, businesses and people work together to tackle big problems. While none of us planned for this crisis, we were prepared to help lift up our businesses as they are helping their communities rise above these challenges.

Billi Hunt

Executive Director

Over the past five years, the creation of new incubators, engines, and accelerators across Iowa has built a unique combination of resources for agtech innovators and startups to find mentors, early-stage funding and support. In a recent Ag Funder News article , America’s Cultivation Corridor shared the stories of several Iowa startups through their journeys through research, discovery, testing and commercial launch and the resources that were beneficial to them. 

We are excited to welcome Lisa Fitzgerald to America’s Cultivation Corridor as Marketing Director. Lisa joined the Corridor in March and will be responsible for social media, marketing, event and project management. She brings more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience, most recently as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Des Moines Christian School. Welcome, Lisa!

Emma Kehrli started as our intern in May of 2019. She is double majoring in Agricultural Business and Public Relations at Iowa State University and plans to graduate in May 2021. During her time at America's Cultivation Corridor, Emma led our social media initiatives and supplied several stories to be published on our social platforms. This summer, Emma will be a Construction and Forestry Customer Product Support Intern at Deere & Company in their Marketing Admin Department. We wish you the best this summer!

The inaugural cohort of the Cultivo Global Ag Innovation Program™ hosted by America’s Cultivation Corridor was originally scheduled for May 11-21, 2020. The cohort has been postponed until August. We look forward to hosting entrepreneurs from Australian startups for a 10-day immersion program. More details will be announced soon. Contact Billi Hunt for information on sponsorship opportunities.

The deadline for startups to apply for the 2020 cohort of the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator has been moved from March 30 to May 1. The mentor-led program that allows startups to collaborate with agriculture industry leaders and present their solutions to refine product market fit, perform customer discovery within the industry, and build strategic partnerships. More information is available on their website.