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 Growing Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nine members of the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) are in Washington, D.C. this week as a part of the National Farmers Union’s annual Legislative Fly-In. This marks the largest IFU delegation to participate in more than 25 years. The group is meeting with lawmakers and agency officials to strengthen independent family farms through policies that support sustainable production, safe food, a clean environment, and healthy rural communities.
“This is the largest fly-in delegation of IFU members to participate in over 25 years,” said Aaron Lehman, IFU president. “Our members are feeling the pain of a chaotic trade policy, massive cuts to USDA programs that serve all farmers and rural communities, and the ever-growing threat from monopolies that manipulate the agriculture marketplace. Our members are joining farmers from around the country demanding action from our policy leaders in Washington.”
The Iowa delegation is highlighting how national policy decisions play out in real farm businesses and rural communities back home. For some, that means speaking to the long-term stability of conservation programs, while others are focused on ensuring local food systems continue to grow.
“As a young farmer, I see both the challenges and the opportunities facing family farms every day,” said Anna Pesek of Over the Moon Farm in Coggon. “Programs that support local and regional food systems make it possible for farmers like me to sell directly into our communities. That strengthens rural economies and helps ensure families have access to healthy, locally raised food. We’re here in Washington to make sure those programs don’t get left behind.”
Key Priorities for Iowa Farmers
- Finish the Farm Bill – Deliver a long-overdue “Farm Bill 2.0” that strengthens the farm safety net and restores confidence in programs that work for family farmers.
- Local Food & Land Access – Establish permanent funding for farm-to-school and farm-to-food-access programs, while expanding initiatives such as the Local Food Promotion Program and Regional Food Systems Partnership Program.
- Conservation & Soil Health – Fully fund programs like CSP, EQIP, and CRP, while creating a voluntary soil health program that rewards farmers for putting marginal acres into conservation practices that protect water and soil.
- Farm Stress & Mental Health – Support the Farmers First Act (S. 2282 & H.R. 4400) to expand the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, ensuring farmers and rural families have access to vital mental health resources.
- Agricultural Workforce – Reform the H-2A program through the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 3227) to ensure a reliable, affordable workforce.
- Disaster Relief – Make disaster assistance programs permanent and reliable so farmers receive help quickly when facing losses from floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.
- Rebuild USDA – Reverse staffing cuts and restore resources so USDA can meet the needs of farmers and rural communities across Iowa.
Contact
Media interested in connecting with Iowa Farmers Union members while they are in Washington, D.C., either in person or by phone, may contact Christina Dexter at [email protected].
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About Iowa Farmers Union
The Iowa Farmers Union is a grassroots membership organization of family farmers and ranchers, advocates, and consumers committed to promoting family agriculture in Iowa. Since 1915, Iowa Farmers Union members have worked together to strengthen the independent family farm through education, legislation, and cooperation and to provide Iowans with sustainable production, safe food, a clean environment, and healthy communities.