Des Moines, IA – The future of agriculture will take center stage at the 2027 Iowa Ag Expo as hundreds of
students discover the wide range of rewarding careers available throughout agriculture and the equipment
dealer industry.

Today’s equipment dealerships offer far more than traditional career paths. Students can pursue
opportunities involving advanced machinery, precision agriculture, robotics, data technology, diesel
mechanics, sales, parts, management and customer support. Many dealerships also offer competitive pay
and benefits, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, apprenticeships and paid, on-the-job training.

“The agriculture equipment industry is evolving quickly, creating exciting opportunities for students with
many different interests and skill sets,” said Jamie Mertz, Director of Dealer and Government Relations of the
Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA), which owns and manages the Iowa Ag Expo. “The
Career Exploration Event gives students an up-close look at those possibilities while connecting them
directly with the dealerships, colleges and industry professionals who can help them take the next step.”

Students will attend with employees from equipment dealerships in their area, giving them an opportunity
to build relationships with potential employers in their own communities. Those local connections can lead
to job-shadowing opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, scholarships and future employment.

During the event, students will take a guided tour of the Iowa Ag Expo and visit major manufacturer exhibits
featuring the latest agricultural equipment and technology. They will also learn about two-year technical
education programs available through Iowa’s community colleges, dealership tuition-reimbursement
opportunities and scholarship support potentially totaling up to $3,000 toward their education and training.

Demand for skilled employees remains high as Iowa equipment dealerships work to recruit the next
generation of service technicians and other professionals. That need is expected to grow as experienced
employees retire, and dealerships continue adopting increasingly advanced technology.

INEDA is committed to helping its dealer members develop the skilled workforce they need for the future. In
addition to the Career Exploration Event, the association supports students through the Andrew Goodman
Scholarship Program, an annual matching scholarship initiative that connects students with participating
equipment dealerships.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, INEDA and its participating dealers awarded $100,000 in scholarships to
85 students pursuing careers with Iowa and Nebraska equipment dealerships. Since the program began in
2008, INEDA has awarded more than $1.03 million to 895 students.

“Technical education can open the door to an incredible range of careers, and an equipment dealership is a
place where those careers can truly take shape,” Mertz states. “Our dealers are investing in students,
strengthening their local communities and building the highly skilled workforce that will keep agriculture
moving forward.”

Do you know a student who would like to explore a career in agriculture or the equipment dealer industry?
Contact Jamie Mertz at jmertz@ineda.com or 515.320.3314. INEDA will help connect interested students
with equipment dealers in their area and provide information about educational and career opportunities.

2027 Iowa Ag Expo

The Iowa Ag Expo is February 2-4, 2027, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA. Hours are 9:00 am-4:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9:00 am-3:00 pm Thursday. Regular admission is $10 at the door.
This year, visitors can register online and purchase tickets in advance to save $5 on admission. Registration
information is used for demographic, sponsor, and marketing purposes. Student tickets are free with a valid
student ID.

The Expo is generously sponsored by the following: Diamond Sponsors – Farm Credit Services of America
and AgDirect; Platinum Sponsor – Stine Seed Company; Gold Sponsors – Sukup Manufacturing and Premier
Chevy Dealers—the “Official Truck of the 2027 Iowa Ag Expo”; and Silver Sponsor – Spraytec, and
Tractorhouse | Auctiontime.

The Iowa Ag Expo is owned and managed by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA).

Contact

Cindy Feldman, Marketing Director
Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA)
M: 515.508.1313 | E: cindyf@ineda.com