Lallemand Plant Care named Kari DeMoss of Iowa and Stephanie Fossum of South Dakota winners of the 2026 Hometown Roots Contest on Sept. 29. Each woman will direct a $5,000 donation to a local organization that supports her rural community. The Hometown Roots Contest celebrates the bond between farm families and the towns that surround them. DeMoss and Fossum submitted photos and stories that captured generations of agricultural life.
Iowa Winner Kari DeMoss Gives Back to Her Local Library
DeMoss grew up on a family farm in Iowa. Her winning photo shows a special moment between generations, as an older farmer passes along knowledge to a younger one. She chose Newell Library Friends to receive her $5,000 donation.
“This photograph means a great deal to me personally, so it’s rewarding to know it resonated with others as well,” DeMoss said. “I grew up going to that library and now take my own kids there. Libraries are an asset to their communities, perhaps even more so in rural communities.”
DeMoss hopes the funds will help the library add books, programs, and resources for local families. She said she appreciates Lallemand’s effort to recognize the people behind agriculture while giving back in a meaningful way.
South Dakota Winner Stephanie Fossum Supports 4-H Youth
Fossum grew up on a dairy farm and has stayed connected to agriculture her whole life. Today, she and her husband raise three children on his family’s farm in South Dakota. The family grows corn and soybeans and runs a cow-calf operation.
Fossum selected State 4-H Leaders of SD to receive her donation. “I think it will benefit the youth involved in South Dakota 4-H,” she said. “The leaders support kids in the 4-H program by offering scholarships to attend state 4-H programs, offer mini grants to counties to provide educational 4-H opportunities, as well as supporting county 4-H leaders.”
She hopes the donation will create more opportunities for young people in agriculture. “I appreciate Lallemand giving people involved in agriculture in the U.S. this opportunity to further support their local community,” Fossum said.
How the Hometown Roots Contest Has Grown Since 2021
Lallemand launched the Hometown Roots Contest in 2021 to celebrate rural life across Canada and the U.S. Since then, the contest has recognized 34 winners and donated $170,000 total to local organizations. The 2026 contest ran from January 26 to July 13, and organizers awarded one $5,000 donation in each of Iowa and South Dakota this year.
Anne Favre, strategic marketing director for Lallemand Plant Care in the USA and Canada, said the program aims to celebrate the people who make rural communities special. “We’re proud that Kari and Stephanie’s winning entries will help support their local communities and create opportunities for the next generation,” Favre said.
What the Hometown Roots Contest Means for Farm Communities
The 2026 Hometown Roots Contest highlights how farm families give back to the towns that support them, reflecting the strong faith and family values found across rural America. For growers and ranchers, these donations show that agribusiness success can extend beyond the field into local libraries, schools, and youth programs. The donations also support education initiatives such as 4-H programming that keep young people connected to agriculture. Farmers and agribusiness professionals should watch for the next Hometown Roots Contest cycle, as Lallemand plans to keep recognizing rural communities each year.
Readers can learn more about eligibility and future contest dates at Lallemand’s Hometown Roots Contest website. This story is based on a press release from Lallemand Plant Care.