On the ballot

MARENGO — Having grown up on a family farm north of North English, Jason Grimm is an advocate for young farmers and small business owners.

Bringing more farmers and businesses into the county will increase the tax base and could alleviate some of Iowa County’s budget struggles, Grimm said.

Grimm is running for one of two seats on the Iowa County Board of Supervisors. His opponents in the Nov. 5 election are incumbent Abigail Maas and Seth Meyer.

Grimm attended Lutheran Interparish School where his mother taught school. He graduated from Williamsburg High School and attended Iowa State University, earning a degree in landscape architecture and another in environmental studies.

For the last 15 years Grimm has worked for Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development based in Amana. He is the current executive director.

Grimm doesn’t see his candidacy for county supervisor as a foray into politics. “I would call it advocacy,” he said.

“Most of my work has been around beginning farmers, young farmers.” As a county supervisor, Grimm would advocate for policies that would help them thrive, he said.

As part of the National Young Farmers Coalition, Grimm has helped young farmers access tools for family land transitions, access to finances and to markets, he said.

He’s worked with food businesses that are buying from farmers, such as those that turn soybeans into tofu or locally grown fruits into juices.

“I run my own farm business in Iowa County,” said Grimm. “We produce pasture-raised chicken, potatoes and dry beans that we market to grocers, school districts, restaurants and other institutions throughout the state.

Grimm Family Farm is currently building a new chicken processing facility that will open next spring and will offer Iowa poultry processing for other farms in Iowa, he said.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Grimm would increase market opportunities like that for farmers in the county. He’s working with the Williamsburg and Clear Creek Amana school districts to procure Iowa-produced foods for school breakfasts and lunches, he said.

In addition to farm concerns, Grimm sees a need for strong school and available day care in Iowa County, he said.

“I don’t think the county has to always be thought about as the funder of things. It can be a catalyst, a group that can organize stake holders around common issues,” said Grimm.

“I work a lot with USDA Rural Development, and I think the county could be a conduit to bring more state or federal resources into the county.”

As for county roads and infrastructure, Grimm’s work with Iowa Valley RC & D has given him experience working with architects and engineers regionally and statewide, he said.

For the past 10 years Grimm has been a consultant for Johnson County as it develops the historic buildings at its former poor farm.

Iowa Counties will continue to struggle pay for mental health and police services since the state has capped the amount of money counties can raise through property tax, said Grimm.

Bringing new businesses and families to Iowa County will increase the amount of taxable property and, subsequently, the tax dollars available for the services all county residents need, said Grimm.

Long-term, the county will need to collaborate with other communities to provide services to its residents.

“I am running as a Democrat, and I want residents of Iowa County to know that I’m running to support all residents of Iowa County and I’m excited to work with all the members of the board … [and] county staff.”

(“On the Ballot” is a Hometown Current series profiling candidates in Benton, Iowa and Poweshiek Counties. Articles will run as candidates are interviewed. Candidates who do not respond to requests for interviews will not be included in the series.)