The award, created in honor of former Iowa Farm Bureau President Bob Joslin, recognizes farmers under the age of 35 who contribute to and demonstrate leadership within their communities and agriculture.

Hepp received a $2,000 grant to designate to a nonprofit of his choice, an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention or Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, and the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference.

As a first-generation farmer, Hepp is a rarity among the multi-generation farms prevalent across Iowa. He was given the opportunity to farm by a friend’s father who was entering retirement.

Hepp grows corn, soybeans, rye for seed and has a strong focus on conservation. He hosts field days on his farm to share his soil health knowledge with other farmers. He hopes to preserve the integrity of the land so his two young boys, whom he raises with his wife Paige, can have the opportunity to farm.

He is an Iowa Farm Bureau Ag Leaders Institute graduate and the Calhoun County Farm Bureau board president. As president, he enjoys teaching youth in schools about farming and general safety. Many of these lessons come from his experience as a volunteer firefighter. Because of this role, Hepp is donating his award grant money to the Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride in Rockwell City.

This ride honors public safety professionals who were killed in the line of duty, including the late Urbandale police officer Justin Martin, a Rockwell City native and high school friend of Hepp’s. Funds raised from the ride support those interested in public safety careers, aid families of first responders facing hardship, and provide equipment for local safety departments.