The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) announced Hills Bank & Trust Company in Kalona as its Top Beginning Farmer Lending Institution of 2024.The award recognizes the lending institution who assisted the most individuals through the Beginning Farmer Loan Program in 2024.

The Beginning Farmer Loan Program, which has been in operation for over 40 years and aims to assist new farmers in acquiring farm property, is a low-interest loan which can be used to purchase agricultural land, machinery, equipment, livestock or buildings.

For sellers such as Hills Bank, any interest earned from the loan is exempted from both state and federal taxes.