Homegrown Talent Initiative

The Corridor's Homegrown Talent Initiative is a new program to encourage recent college graduates that grew up within the region to consider coming back, making the Corridor region their home and filling the high-quality jobs available at local businesses.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

The Iowa Lakes Corridor will be hosting the 3nd Annual Homegrown Talent Initiative Golf Tournament on July 24, 2026, at the Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek as a fundraiser for the program. Proceeds from the tournament will support grants of $6,000 ($1,500 per year over four years) to college graduates who were originally from the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet returning to the area to work at a local employer. Grant Funds can be used as student loan repayment, mortgage payment, or childcare expense reimbursement. The second round of grants will be awarded in the Spring of 2026.

Meet the 2026 Awardees:

Clayton Ehlers grew up on a farm outside of Marathon and is a graduate of Sioux Central Community School District. He went on to earn his degree from Dordt University in May 2024 and currently resides in Albert City. Clayton works on his family farm with plans to expand and diversify the operation.

Ehlers shared, “As a young farmer, getting started can be intimidating, but this grant will help me to plant my roots and give back to the community I love.”

Dalayna Brugman grew up in Royal and attended South Dakota State University and Iowa State University where she graduated in 2025. After a summer in Illinois post-graduation, Dalayna made her way back home to Royal last fall. She is currently a Junior Hog Buyer at Tyson Fresh Meats in Storm Lake.

"No matter where life takes me, I will always find my way back to Royal, Iowa,” said Brugman. “This community and its people shaped who I am today, and with the support of this grant, I have the opportunity to return home, give back, and build a future in the place that first built me."

Tyler Adams grew up in Dickinson County and is a graduate of Okoboji High School. He went on to attend Iowa State University, graduating in May 2024, and recently returned home and purchased a house in Milford. Tyler is currently a Financial Representative with Prairie Plans Asset Management. Outside of work, Tyler has stayed closely connected to his roots by giving back to his alma mater, staying actively involved in coaching at Okoboji High School.

Adams shares, "Returning to this region to build upon the amazing experience I had growing up has been an incredibly fulfilling decision. This community is special and the impact that its members can make is something that cannot be found in larger areas. This grant directly helps with the financial realities that young professionals face when choosing to come home and invest in the community that invested in them."

Morgan White-Muller grew up outside of Estherville and recently returned home after graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2025. Morgan is now an attorney at Fitzgibbons Law Firm in Estherville. In addition to her legal career, Morgan enjoys staying connected to agriculture by helping her dad and grandpa on the farm when she can and supporting local youth at livestock shows. Morgan is eager to get more involved with organizations in the community as she settles back into the region.

“I chose to return to Estherville because this is home, and I wanted to build my career in the community that helped shape who I am,” said White-Muller. “Having been raised on a farm and surrounded by family in NW Iowa, I know how special this region is and how people here show up for one another. This grant will help make it easier for me to put down roots and continue giving back to the place that raised me.”

2026 GRANT APPLICATION & INFORMATION

2026 grant applications now closed.

Get involved:

There are many ways to support this program! Register a team for the golf tournament, sponsor a course hole or a meal, provide door prizes, etc.

Farmers Trust & Savings Bank team posting with their sponsorship sign that says, "Thank you to our sponsor Farmers Bank."

2025 HGTI Awardee Taylor Krager with her family and friends at the 2025 golf tournament.

Farmers Savings Bank golf team of four people

Contact the Corridor for more details!