Local Farm Bureau members visit D.C.

DONNELLSON - More than two dozen Iowa Farm Bureau members representing 19 counties met with Iowa’s congressional delegation last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss policy issues important to Iowa agriculture and their family farms.  Among them were Joel & Kjrsten Bobb of Wever, Nathan Yeager of Ottumwa, Greg Koch of Washington, Bridget Mellott of Fairfield and Jamie Brissey of Burlington.
The group of Iowa farmers met with Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst along with Reps. Ashley Hinson, Randy Feenstra, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn. They also attended presentations and meetings with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) staff on taxes, environmental protection, biofuels and grain marketing. 
Rising input costs and economic challenges were consistent concerns shared by members.
The Farm Bureau leaders stressed the importance of passing an updated farm bill and shared challenges related to waiting for congressional action.  Since the last farm bill was passed in 2018, farmers have faced volatile markets, record-high inflation and costs to raise a crop, along with uncertainty surrounding international trade. 
The farmer delegation urged lawmakers to include language in the farm bill that protects interstate commerce against chaotic supply chain issues caused by initiatives like California’s Prop 12.  Members warned that allowing one state to enforce production preferences on other states could create a patchwork of laws that would disrupt interstate commerce and increase prices for consumers. 
Members also sought support for biofuels markets and year-round E15 legislation to expand availability to other states.  With fuel prices rising due to conflict in the Middle East, E15 provides consumers relief at the gas pump with environmental benefits as a cleaner burning fuel.  While EPA’s summer waiver was welcomed news, members stressed the importance and benefits of authorizing permanent E15 sales.