Our Impact

Food Sustainability and Responsibility

Going Beyond the Business

Nearly three decades ago, Summit Farms began as a 300-acre corn and soybean operation in Hardin County, Iowa. We now farm more than 14,000 acres, raise livestock and invest at the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy. Beyond our businesses and investments, our team is focused on giving back to the communities where we operate to create opportunities, enhance quality of life and improve the environment.

Through Summit, Executive Chairman Bruce Rastetter, and the Rastetter Foundation, we are dedicated to giving back to our communities through support and donations that help sustain Iowa’s proudest traditions as well as develop new leaders. In our operations, we are committed to environmental preservation and improvement to maintain our land resources for generations to come. In addition to gifts supporting philanthropic endeavors, our team believes in civic leadership to create lasting change for worthwhile causes and organizations.

Investing in Education

Summit invests in educational programs, facilities and students to create the next generation of leaders.

Iowa State Ag Initiative

A $2.25 million gift enabled the College of Agriculture to establish an endowed chair in Entrepreneurship, as well as renovate space in Curtiss Hall to house the program. This gift enables Iowa State students and faculty to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills and create greater opportunities for successful leaders in the future.

Iowa Foundation for Ag Advancement

The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry, and agriculture projects members to pursue ag-related careers. Three $8,000 scholarships are available with focuses on entrepreneurship, sustainability and renewable fuels.

Ellsworth Community College

Ellsworth Community College is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa where Bruce has been a generous supporter of education and the Ellsworth College Foundation “Vision 21 Capital Campaign” that provided funding for the construction of the Agriculture and Renewable Energy Center and provides scholarships for Ellsworth students.

Giving Back to the Community

Summit invests in improving health care, establishing collaboration and upgrading facilities to have a lasting impact.

Hospital Sao Lucas

Seeing an opportunity to improve healthcare in Mato Grosso, a $1 million gift established a new maternity ward at Hospital Sao Lucas in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso where one of FS’ biofuel plants is located. In addition to the construction of the new facility, a knowledge sharing program was established for local doctors to collaborate with doctors from the University of Iowa to improve outcomes for all patients.

Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair is the state’s premier event, and a $1 million gift to the Blue Ribbon Foundation helped enable the renovation of the 4-H Exhibits Building. This gift provides necessary funds to help the Blue Ribbon Foundation improve the fairgrounds for the benefit of all fairgoers that attend each summer as well as attendees of off-season events that utilize facilities throughout the rest of the year.

Iowa Football Performance Center

As a University of Iowa graduate, Bruce has been a longtime supporter of the University of Iowa and a member of the President’s Club. A $5 million gift to the University of Iowa Foundation helped provide a first-class football facility which ensures the success of the program and supported the renovation and expansion of administrative space and training facilities used by Iowa Hawkeye staff and student-athletes.

Environmental Stewardship

Summit is committed to the preservation of resources and producing crops and livestock the right way.

Preserving Natural Habitat

Since the early 1990s, Summit has championed resource conservation. Practices have included enrolling more than 1,000 acres in USDA conservation programs, installing 150 miles of grass filter strips, establishing a nearly 200 acre wetland and planting thousands of trees each year.

Sustainable Farming Practices

The Summit team is committed to sustainable agricultural production practices to mitigate impacts to the environment. Modern farming techniques, such as split nutrient application, are used to safely increase output and reduce inputs while preserving the land for future generations.

Promoting Animal Welfare

Summit Agricultural Group raises livestock under the highest standards of animal welfare. All Summit-owned and managed facilities provide humane living conditions, nutritious feed and fresh, potable water. Our approach means healthier animals, safer food and greater results for our partners.

Civic Leadership

Summit works with leading organizations impacting education, health care, communities and industry.

Iowa Board of Regents

Originally appointed in 2011 by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Bruce served as the president of the Board of Regents from 2013 to 2017. The board oversees Iowa’s three public universities as well as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to maintain the accessibility and quality of the institutions. During his tenure as president, the board enacted a multi-year tuition freeze that increased affordability for students and drove higher enrollment across the state.

Richard O. Jacobson Foundation

Richard “Dick” Jacobson was a distinguished businessman and philanthropist supporting healthcare, education, youth development and medical research. As CEO of the foundation, Bruce carried out Dick’s mission of changing lives and working with organizations that help the most people in the most effective way. One of the foundation’s recent gifts includes a $70 million donation to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics to construct a new patient care tower.

Growth Energy

As a founding board member of Growth Energy, Bruce saw the need for a voice for the biofuel industry. Today, Growth Energy represents America’s biofuel producers to promote the industry, advocate for sound policy and educate consumers on the economic and climate benefits of biofuels.