Local Farm Bureau Ag Leaders advocate for Iowa Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Fairfield — Farm Bureau members from across the state departed their Iowa farms for Washington, D.C., Sept. 8-11, and met with their elected officials and agency representatives. Members shared personal stories and examples of how important ag issues impact their farms, including the critical need for the farm bill. Other important topics and issues raised by members included protecting interstate commerce, combating low crop prices and growing opportunities for trade.

Twenty-eight members from the graduating class of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) Ag Leaders Institute, which trains members on how to represent their farms, their county Farm Bureaus and the ag industry, joined the trip. Included in the trip, pictured left to right, were Chris Brown of Farmington; Larissa Schippers of Bussey and Courtney Burkhalter of Fairfield.

The graduating Ag Leaders class visited with Iowa Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst, as well as the offices of Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra.

Members stressed the urgency of passing an updated farm bill and shared how historically low crop prices create many challenges for farmers and threaten family farms and ag-related businesses. The farmer delegation urged lawmakers to make critical updates to the farm safety net which are needed to help farmers manage risk and provide certainty for long-term planning.

The Washington, D.C. trip serves as the culmination of the year-long Ag Leaders Institute, a program designed for Farm Bureau members of all ages who care about the future of agriculture and want to make a positive impact; have the potential for providing exceptional leadership in their community, county and state; and are interested in advancing in leadership positions within Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants learn about the latest information and insights on issues important to agriculture, practice developing the leadership skills needed to deal with issues critical to agriculture and leading change and develop a statewide network of leaders in Farm Bureau and agriculture who are committed to the future of rural Iowa. Graduates will be recognized at the Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting, Dec. 9-10 in Des Moines.