Isabella Chism
Second Vice President
Isabella Chism was first elected 2nd vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau in 2006. She serves on the INFB board of directors and its affiliated companies, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, and is a member of the executive committee and the audit committee. She also chairs the State Women’s Leadership Committee and the Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance audit committee.
In 2021, she was elected chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, and she serves on the AFBF board of directors as well as the AFBF trade advisory committee. She also serves on the board of the Agriculture Council of America.
Chism has been heavily involved in her community, church and Farm Bureau. Prior to her election as INFB 2nd vice president, she was the woman leader (now called education and outreach coordinator) for Howard County Farm Bureau. She ran a successful in-home business, managing up to 42 people, and also has served as a volunteer in many capacities.
Chism is currently executive director of Howard County 4-H exhibit association capital projects and an at-large representative on the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council. She also is a member of the Regional Leadership Institute steering committee.
She is a graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and of the Syngenta Leadership at Its Best program. Chism also has completed “Conversation Leaders” training through the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance.
In 2021, she was the winner of the Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture Achievement Award, which recognizes Indiana women who are leaders and innovators who have contributed to the success of Indiana agriculture. In 2023, she was the recipient of the 2023 Architect of Society Award, which is presented by the Women’s Public Leadership Network, a non-partisan non-profit that equips and encourages women to seek public office.
She and her husband, Kent, farm in Howard County, raising corn, soybeans and sweet corn. They have three grown children.
