By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University has been recognized for its innovative approach to connecting agricultural market information with business networking opportunities. The university received Second Runner-Up honors in the 2026 Farm Credit MarketMaker Innovation Awards for its AgMRC Commodity Dashboards project.
Developed through the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), the dashboards are designed to help agricultural producers, entrepreneurs, and businesses access important commodity-related market information in a simple and organized format. The project combines valuable agricultural market data with business information, allowing users to make more informed decisions and identify potential opportunities within their industries.
The AgMRC Commodity Dashboards currently include 19 commodity-specific dashboards covering a wide range of agricultural sectors. A key feature of each dashboard is the MarketMaker Profile tab, which helps users discover businesses, potential customers, collaborators, and market connections related to a specific commodity.
By organizing information according to individual commodities, the dashboards provide users with an efficient starting point for research. Instead of searching through multiple unrelated sources, producers and entrepreneurs can find relevant market information alongside business contacts that may support future growth and development.
The project has already generated significant interest within the agricultural community. During a six-month period, the dashboards received 4,527 views, demonstrating a growing demand for tools that combine market intelligence with practical business networking resources. As the initiative continues to develop, organizers will be able to assess how these tools contribute to new partnerships, market expansion, and business opportunities.
Lighton Nakidde accepted the Second Runner-Up award on behalf of Iowa State University, recognizing the efforts of the team behind the project.
“Farm Credit is proud to recognize the innovation that helps agricultural producers compete and succeed in an increasingly complex marketplace,” said Anne Thompson, Vice President of Young, Beginning Farmer Programs & Industry Outreach, Farm Credit Council. “This year’s winners demonstrate how creative application of technology and stronger partnerships can help producers find new markets while strengthening the agricultural communities they serve.”
The importance of connected information systems was also highlighted by Dar Knipe, MarketMaker Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the Global Food and Agricultural Network.
“What connects these projects is the ability to turn shared information into real opportunities,” said Dar Knipe, MarketMaker co-founder and managing partner of the Global Food and Agricultural Network. “When businesses and communities can better understand their food systems, they can build partnerships, identify opportunities for investment and make more informed decisions. That’s the value of a connected network, and it’s what makes these innovations so important.”
The recognition highlights Iowa State University's commitment to supporting agricultural innovation through technology. By combining market research with business discovery tools, the AgMRC Commodity Dashboards help producers, entrepreneurs, and organizations make smarter decisions, strengthen partnerships, and identify new opportunities within the agricultural marketplace.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Business