The annual Fall Reception is a social event to recruit new members to our League. Bring friends and family members who might be interested in joining. Highlights include complimentary food, a Hugo Spritz-like mocktail - the “Fre-rick Spritz”, meaningful conversation and speaker, Austin Frerick, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Friday, August 29 at this link: FallReceptionRSVP

Our speaker Austin Frerick is a seventh-generation Iowan, growing up in Cedar Rapids. From an early age, he  witnessed the rise of industrial agriculture—including CAFOs and grain elevators—that  influenced his later work.  He holds degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and  is a first-generation college graduate .  Professionally, he’s served in roles at the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Congressional  Research Service, and the Open Markets Institute .  He is currently a Fellow at Yale University, where he organizes conferences on antitrust  issues and agriculture, including “Big Ag & Antitrust” and “Reforming America’s Food  Retail Markets”  He also serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President for Common Good Iowa.  

Through Barons, he delivers a gripping exposé of corporate consolidation in American  agriculture. Built on seven emblematic case studies, the book pairs storytelling with policy depth —while ultimately urging structural change to reclaim democracy, justice, and sustainability in how America eats.  

Thank you to Hills Bank for their sponsorship of this event!