Protecting land use drives Meyer to run for office

MARENGO — Seth Meyer wants to make sure his children can have a life in agriculture if they desire that. To make sure of that, he’s wading into the political sphere, running for Iowa County Supervisor.

Meyer is one of five Republican candidates running for the board of supervisors in the June 4 primary election in Iowa County.

“I grew up in Williamsburg, just south of Little Amana,” said Meyer. “My mom was a nurse.”

Meyer earned an associate degree in agricultural business from Kirkwood Community College and spent some time living and working in Bloomfield in Southern Iowa.

Meyer’s back in Iowa County, farming north of Marengo. He and his wife — also a Williamsburg native — raise feed cattle and have a cow-calf operation. “And we also farm a little bit of ground,” said Meyer. “We have some corn and beans.”

Meyer’s interest in politics stems from his concern for his children’s future. “I have four children, and I hope that some day they can be able to do whatever they want.”

Meyer fears that zoning and private property rights in some counties make farming difficult. “I don’t want Iowa County to become that way,” Meyer said.

“And I think it’s people’s duty to serve their county and do what they can.”

Meyer is a supporter of law enforcement and public employees and believes the county should give them everything they need.

“Our roads and bridges, I know, are an issue. And I think there are some things that can be done for those,” said Meyer.

His main reason for running, however, is to keep property owners in control of their land. “I’m against eminent domain,” said Meyer. “I think that if somebody wants to do something with their property that they should be able to do that — within the law.”

“I don’t have a problem with the wind turbines at all,” said Meyer. If landowners want the turbines on their property, they should be able to do that, he said.

“That’s how I feel on animal agriculture as well. There’s some legislation in Johnson County kind of restricting land use for animal agriculture.” As a county supervisor, Meyer would be an advocate for the rights of property owners, he said.