Bridging the Gap

Blake Van Der Kamp honored as Iowa Soybean Association’s Rising Star

BY JEFF HUTTON

Being involved in FFA in high school sparked Blake Van Der Kamp’s passion for agriculture.

An interest in food insecurity and how agriculture can help bridge nutrition gaps spurred his eagerness to earn three degrees from Iowa State University (ISU) in ag communications, international agriculture and public relations.

Although he did not grow up on a farm, this Prairie City native’s passion for telling the story of agriculture and how it impacts lives has been a driving force.

Earlier this year, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) awarded Van Der Kamp the Rising Star Award, presented by Farm Credit Services of America. The $2,000 education stipend, which accompanied the award, is now being put to use at Butler University in Indiana where he is working toward a master’s degree in strategic communications.

‘A boost to move forward’

“I am so grateful for this award,” Van Der Kamp says. “For me, it’s about giving back, helping others and telling them about the amazing things agriculture does.”

Van Der Kamp submitted his application for the ISA award last fall.

The award itself, he says, represents an opportunity to follow his desire.

“It has given me a boost to move forward,” says Van Der Kamp, who is currently working full-time for a non-profit organization while continuing his studies at Butler.

His work will allow him to merge ideas from different perspectives toward a career that will connect those in agriculture to those who are not.

“You know, I didn’t grow up on a farm, but I just fell in love with agriculture,” he says. “What I learned from my first ag class in high school is that the ag industry helps with transformative skills, technical skills, tenacity and critical thinking.”

Van Der Kamp wants to be a storyteller, bridging the gap between agriculture and non-agriculture.

“I relate with people in agriculture,” he says. “And it’s imperative in the next century that we bring awareness to the industry.”

Van Der Kamp wants to open up the dialogue on all that agriculture and farmers contribute to every life, every day. Whether it’s about food insecurity and filling the shelves of food pantries, agriculture has a role to play, he says.

“I didn’t have the strongest roots to agriculture growing up, but I see the connection to it more every day,” he says.

Committed to agriculture

A look at this young professional’s resume and his passion for agriculture is clear. As the Iowa FFA State Reporter, he has sought to bring awareness to agricultural education and the hard work of modern producers.

In 2020, Van Der Kamp was awarded one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students — a United States Presidential Scholar for Career & Technical Education by the Department of Education; this award is given to only 20 high school seniors annually across the U.S. He received this award for creating a high school recycling program that generated an estimated 26,400 lbs. of recyclables, a supply drive that provided around $5,000 worth of school supplies to disadvantaged, rural youth and his overall contributions to agricultural education in Iowa.

More recently, he was one of five North American delegates at the biennial Bayer Youth Ag Summit. He also served as a youth panelist and speaker for United States Farmers and Ranchers in Action’s Honor the Harvest Forum.

Professionally, Blake has worked in communications for numerous organizations such as Green & Growing Education, Iowa Pinto Horse Association, Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation and the World Food Prize Foundation. In these roles, he has advocated for youth to take hold of opportunities and brought awareness to how integral agriculturalists are to solving food insecurity.

At ISU, he held positions as a representative on the university’s Sustainability Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. His aspiration to excel has also earned him the title of being a Cargill Thrive and Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

A privilege to share the story of agriculture

Van Der Kamp has taken an active role in promoting Iowa agriculture through local, state and national endeavors and displays a commitment to remain involved in agriculture both professionally and personally.

“To receive this award is not only a privilege, but a reminder of doing the good work that needs to be done,” he says.

Know of a high school senior or college student who takes an active role in promoting Iowa agriculture and has plans to remain involved in agriculture through future personal or professional activities?

The applications for the 2025 awards are open and due soon at iasoybeans.com/programs/awards.

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com