Unanswered Questions About Secretary Naig’s Proposal: Favors to Pipeline and Pesticide Giants? Small Investments for Iowa Agriculture in Crisis?
January 12, 2026 Unanswered Questions About Secretary Naig’s Proposal: Favors to Pipeline and Pesticide Giants? Small Investments for Iowa Agriculture in Crisis? Nevada, Iowa — The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) has concerns about the undisclosed details in Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig’s Iowa Farm Act. On Monday, January 12, Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron […]
Iowa Farmers Union to Host Virtual Press Conference on Rising Health Care Costs Threatening Farm Families
December 12, 2025Contact: [email protected] Iowa Farmers Union to Host Virtual Press Conference on Rising Health Care Costs Threatening Farm Families Nevada, Iowa — The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) will host a virtual press conference on Monday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m. CT to highlight the mounting concerns among Iowa farm families about rising health care costs—and […]
Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman Highlights Farm Families’ Concerns on Rising Health Care Costs in Washington, D.C.
December 10, 2025Contact: [email protected] Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman Highlights Farm Families’ Concerns on Rising Health Care Costs in Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON — Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman participated today in a Senate Democratic press conference on rising health care premiums, held by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar […]
Iowa Farmers Union Convention Highlights Senator Tom Harkin’s Call to Strengthen Rural America
December 9, 2025 Iowa Farmers Union Convention Highlights Senator Tom Harkin’s Call to Strengthen Rural America Iowa Farmers Union members from across the state gathered on Dec. 5–6 at the Quality Inn & Conference Center in Ames for the 110th Annual State Convention. This year’s theme, “Empowering Farmers to Weather the Chaos,” underscored the challenges […]
Senator Tom Harkin to Speak at Iowa Farmers Union Annual Convention as IFU Honors Agricultural Leaders, December 5–6
December 4, 2025 Senator Tom Harkin accepts the National Farmers Union Award for Meritorious Service to American Agriculture earlier this year at the NFU Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Senator Tom Harkin to Speak at Iowa Farmers Union Annual Convention as IFU Honors Agricultural Leaders, December 5–6 Ames, Iowa — The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) […]
Iowa Farmers Union to Host Federal Candidate Forum
December 2, 2025 Iowa Farmers Union to Host Federal Candidate Forum Ames, Iowa — The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) will host a federal candidate forum on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 3:00–7:00 PM at the Quality Inn and Suites in Ames, Iowa. The event will bring together IFU members, rural community leaders, and candidates for Congress […]
Record Number of Iowa Farmers Union Members Head to Washington in Response to Growing Crisis
Members representing the Iowa Farmers Union met on Monday morning at a USDA briefing. From left to right: Anna Pesek, Coggon; John Hogeland, Lovilia; Seth Watkins, Clarinda; Aaron Lehman, Polk City; Joshua Manske, Algona; Ryan Marquardt, Van Meter; Doug Follmann, Stanhope; Bob Ferguson, Fairfield. Record Number of Iowa Farmers Union Members Head to Washington in Response to […]
Iowa Farmers Sound the Alarm on USDA Cuts, Urge Congressional Action at 5 Farmers Town Hall
Iowa Farmers Sound the Alarm on USDA Cuts, Urge Congressional Action at 5 Farmers Town Hall July 17, 2025 NEVADA, IA – Iowa Farmers Union hosted a virtual town hall with family farmers from across the state to raise the alarm about proposed cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding and the unraveling of the […]
Iowa Farmers Union Statement on Gov. Reynold’s Veto on HF 639
Iowa Farmers Union Statement on Gov. Reynold’s Veto on HF 639 June 12, 2025 Statement from Aaron Lehman, President of the Iowa Farmers Union: “The veto of HF 639 is a betrayal of family farmer values. Eminent domain should never be allowed for private gain. Governor Reynolds has had years to work with her party leaders to find […]
Iowa Farmers Union Applauds Court Victory in Defense of Farmland Conservation Protections
June 2, 2025 Iowa Farmers Union Applauds Court Victory in Defense of Farmland Conservation Protections Nevada, IA – The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) celebrates a major legal victory for conservation-minded farmers across the country. In an opinion issued on May 30, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa upheld the constitutionality of the Swampbuster provisions […]
FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya to Join Iowa Farmers to Spotlight Industry Consolidation and Pressing Rural Issues
May 14, 2025 FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya to Join Iowa Farmers to Spotlight Industry Consolidation and Pressing Rural Issues Nevada, IA – Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya will join the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) on June 7 at 9:30 a.m. for a public event at Griffieon Family Farm, 11655 NE 6th St, Ankeny, IA. The gathering aims to bring national attention to […]
Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War
April 3, 2025 Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War NEVADA, Iowa — Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) President Aaron Lehman and National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statements in response to the White House reciprocal tariff announcement. Aaron Lehman, IFU President: “Iowa farmers and rural communities are […]
“Fund Iowa Farmers” Day on the Hill April 2Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Invest in Local Food and Support Iowa Farms
March 28, 2025 “Fund Iowa Farmers” Day on the Hill April 2 Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Invest in Local Food and Support Iowa Farms On Wednesday, April 2, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., members of the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) and Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) will gather at the Iowa State Capitol for […]
Iowa Farmers Union Statement Regarding Pesticide Liability Legislation SF 394
March 26, 2025 Iowa Farmers Union Statement Regarding Pesticide Liability Legislation SF 394 NEVADA, Iowa — The family farmers of the Iowa Farmers Union are deeply disappointed that the Iowa Senate chose to stand with chemical companies instead of voting for family farmers, rural communities, and all Iowans. Today, Iowa Senators voted in favor of: […]
USDA Cancels Local Food Funding, Creating Uncertainty for Iowa Farmers and Food Hubs
March 10, 2025 USDA Cancels Local Food Funding, Creating Uncertainty for Iowa Farmers and Food Hubs NEVADA – The Iowa Farmers Union is deeply alarmed and disappointed by the USDA’s sudden termination of state contracts for the 2025 Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) programs. This decision comes despite the […]
Senator Grassley Reacts to Ag Issues in Iowa Farmers Union Virtual Town Hall
March 3, 2025 Senator Grassley Reacts to Ag Issues in Iowa Farmers Union Virtual Town Hall NEVADA – The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) was pleased to host Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley during a virtual town hall earlier today. The Senator addressed nearly 180 IFU members and rural residents on topics related to the impacts of tariff battles […]
USDA Firings and Program Cuts Undermine Conservation Efforts in Iowa
February 20, 2025 USDA Firings and Program Cuts Undermine Conservation Efforts in Iowa Statement from Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman regarding the impact of federal funding and staff cuts at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “The recent firing of USDA employees pulls the rug out from underneath farmers and the rural workforce that […]
IFU Welcomes Matt Russell as Interim Executive Director
February 13, 2025 IFU Welcomes Matt Russell as Interim Executive Director The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) is excited to announce that Matt Russell has joined the organization as its interim executive director. Russell’s wealth of experience in agricultural leadership and long history of involvement with the Farmers Union makes him capable of leading the organization […]
Farmers Union Secures Government Action Against John Deere’s Monopoly Power
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2025 Contact: [email protected] Farmers Union Secures Government Action Against John Deere’s Monopoly Power NEVADA – Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) and National Farmers Union (NFU) proudly supports the lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the attorneys general of Minnesota and Illinois against John Deere & Co., alleging the company’s […]
Iowa Farmers Union Convention strives for “Fairness for Farmers”
Iowa Farmers Union Convention strives for “Fairness for Farmers” Iowa Farmers Union members from across the state gathered on Dec. 6-7 at the Quality Inn & Conference Center in Ames for the 109th Annual State Convention. The IFU convention set the grassroots legislative policy that will guide the organization’s efforts in 2025, elected leadership, and conducted […]
Iowa Farmers Union Announces Legislative Candidate Endorsements
Iowa Farmers Union Announces Legislative Candidate Endorsements The Iowa Farmers Union is committed to supporting family farming, sustainable agriculture, thriving rural communities, and healthy landscapes across Iowa. We are dedicated to advocating for a more just and equitable food system that benefits all Iowans. As part of our mission, we are proud to endorse the following […]
Iowa Local and Regional Food System Partners Applaud USDA for Investment in Local Farmers and Food Assistance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2024 CONTACT:Christina Dexter, IFU Communications [email protected] | 816-738-5402 Iowa Local and Regional Food System Partners Applaud USDA for Investment in Local Farmers and Food Assistance DES MOINES – On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $1.7 billion for the procurement of locally and regionally […]
Sustainable Ag Groups Seek To Defend Clean Water, Wetlands Against Effort To Gut Longstanding Protections
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 Sustainable Ag Groups Seek To Defend Clean Water, Wetlands Against Effort To Gut Longstanding Protections Dangerous lawsuit outlined in Project 2025 is the latest to threaten wetlands after sweeping Sackett SCOTUS decision DES MOINES – Iowa Farmers Union (IFU), Iowa Environmental Council (IEC), Dakota Rural Action (DRA), and […]
Iowa Farmers Union Blasts Proposed Fertilizer Plant Purchase by Koch
February 12, 2024 Contact: Christina Dexter, (816)[email protected] Iowa Farmers Union Blasts Proposed Fertilizer Plant Purchase by Koch The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) is leading the call for federal and state officials to block the pending sale of OCI Global’s nitrogen fertilizer plant in Wever, Iowa to fertilizer goliath Koch Industries. The plant was built with […]
Farmers Union Releases 2023 Farmer’s Share of Thanksgiving Food Dollar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 14, 2023Contact: Christina Dexter, (816)[email protected] Farmers Union Releases 2023 Farmer’s Share of Thanksgiving Food Dollar NEVADA – Yesterday, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the updated Farmer’s Share of the food dollar for items typically served during the Thanksgiving holiday. These figures reflect how much family farmers earn compared to the amount consumers […]
The Iowa Farmers Union is excited to seek qualified applicants for Executive Director opportunity.
The Iowa Farmers Union is excited to seek qualified applicants for Executive Director opportunity. Summary The Iowa Farmers Union is the oldest general farm organization in Iowa and advocates for family farming, sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural communities. IFU is a chartered division of the National Farmers Union and has approximately 1,000 members after a recent period […]
Iowa Farmers Union Opposes School Vouchers Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 23, 2023Contact: Christina Dexter, (816)[email protected] Iowa Farmers Union Opposes School Vouchers Legislation The Iowa Farmers Union and its members from all 99 counties have long advocated for policies that build rural economies and nurture vibrant communities. The Iowa education system was largely built on a network of strong public schools, providing residents […]