CREDIT HEIDI EIFFERT, STUDIOU
Kristy Walker spent her childhood on a farm and wants to retire on a farm. In the interim, her careers, passions, accomplishments and interests have spanned a wide range of experiences – experiences that would easily fill several pages.
Receiving a BA in computer science and an MBA in business administration from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, Ms. Walker has worked in the healthcare IT industry for almost 40 years and currently teaches business analytics at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
But Ms. Walker is quick to admit that her true passion, and most substantial community impact, lies in farming and fighting food insecurity. As president of Walker Homestead Farm & Winery and a volunteer with the Johnson County Food Policy Council, she recognizes the irony of living in an agricultural state surrounded by fields of produce, yet having low-income Iowans lack access to it, as well as the struggle for smaller agribusinesses to compete in a market dominated by bigger farm corporations.
“It’s hard to make money on a small farm, especially if you didn’t inherit the land,” she said. “Only through value-added products are you going to be able to be sustainable on the farm.”
It’s why she joined the Agritourism Group of Johnson County, a newly-formed group that works to connect agribusinesses to promote ag tourism in Johnson County. She has successfully advocated for changes to county zoning policies in support of food and farm businesses, and hosted Vintner’s Run, a fundraiser that netted $30,000 for local food pantries.
Friends and colleagues view Ms. Walker as an encouraging mentor and role model, someone who tirelessly advocates for the rural community and those battling food insecurity.
“I have seen Kristy provide peer support and mentorship to fellow business owners,” wrote Ilse DeWald, Johnson County Local Food and Farm manager, of her Woman of Influence nomination. “She contributes her marketing and event organization skills to support the collective success of businesses in Johnson County.”
Sneh Patel, president of Tippie Tech and a former student of Ms. Walker’s, says Ms. Walker’s influence extends beyond the agricultural realm and into the business and higher education community.
“She truly cares about helping students succeed beyond the classroom, which can be seen through her unwavering dedication to Tippie Tech. Kristy has consistently gone above and beyond the role of an advisor…her level of effort in making a flourishing environment for all students makes her an invaluable asset to Tippie Tech and myself,” wrote Mr. Patel, in his Woman of Influence nomination.
Ms. Walker often combines teaching with agribusiness and the issue of food insecurity. Her students helped a new lavender farm in rural Johnson County write a business plan, and they also created a website and app, www.find211.org, which connects people to health and human services in their community. When Gov. Reynolds rejected federal funds for the Summer EBT program, her students worked on creating a dashboard to demonstrate the impact on families and communities.
“Never, never give up,” said Ms. Walker. “I think that’s one thing that (I’ve learned), either from being on the farm or being in the computer science field when there were no women. If I know it’s the right thing to do – if I know it’s for the best – then I don’t give up.”
This profile was originally published in the CBJ’s 2024 Women of Influence publication. The 2024 Women of Influence are an inspiring group of community leaders who have each overcome adversity, taken chances and challenged themselves to make a positive impact in their community, despite demanding schedules in their personal and professional lives.
The CBJ will host the 2024 Women of Influence 20 Year Gala from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. Tickets are still available to this event, which includes networking, dinner and remarks from the winners.
