PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Farm Bureau members from across the state departed their Iowa farms for Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-17, and met with their elected officials and agency representatives, joining a multi-state fly-in. Members shared personal stories from their farms and examples of how important ag issues impact their communities, including highlighting the critical need to pass an updated farm bill. Other important topics and issues raised by members included protecting interstate commerce and growing opportunities for trade.

Twenty-nine 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 Tyler Beenken of Traer, Alanna Nietert of Springville, Haley Schulte of Van Horne and Marla Brown of Davenport.

The Farm Bureau leaders participated in a multi-state fly-in joining farmers representing all areas of American agriculture in advocating for congressional action on the new farm bill. 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. Their efforts were impactful, as the U.S. Senate Ag Committee advanced the new farm bill, including IFBF-supported year-round E15 access.

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. 8-9 in Des Moines.