Iowa Farm Bureau members are invited to apply for an International Market Study Tour from June 7-15, 2025, visiting Brussels and the Netherlands.
The tour will explore agricultural practices and climate-policy impacts in Europe, with opportunities to engage directly with EU agricultural policy organizations and meet farmers affected by EU regulations.
The EU’s Green Deal set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% and have 25% of agricultural land under organic practices by 2030. Farmer protests have emerged across the EU in reaction to measures intended to meet this target, including government buyouts of family farms and agreements that prevent future livestock production.
“Our primary goal is to learn about EU climate policy to help Iowa farmers stay ahead of it stateside,” says Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau’s economics and research manager. “We’re crafting every aspect of this trip to provide Farm Bureau members with first-hand stories—and warnings—about European policy to share with fellow farmers, communities and policymakers back home.”
Participants on the tour will visit key agricultural sites such as Royal FloraHolland, the world’s largest flower auction, and Greentech, a horticultural show featuring presentations on food security and sustainable farming practices. The itinerary also features Grand-Place in Brussels—a UNESCO World Heritage site—the iconic Kinderdijk windmills in Holland and a walking tour of Amsterdam.
The tour, priced at $2,500 per person, includes round-trip airfare, double-occupancy hotel accommodations and meals. Participants may bring a significant other for an additional fee of $5,800.
Applications must be submitted by Jan 3, 2025, and space is limited. Early applications are encouraged, as only a select group of participants will be chosen.
For more information or to apply, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/tour.
