07/23/2026
A group of 30 Iowa Farm Bureau members representing two dozen counties met with Iowa’s congressional delegation last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss policy issues important to Iowa agriculture and farm families. Among them were Neil Shaffer of Lime Springs, Ryan Steffen of Cresco, Meghan & Adam Meyer of Cedar Falls and Julie & Prentice Karsjens of Parkersburg.
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.
The Farm Bureau leaders stressed the importance of getting the farm bill across the finish line as it still awaits Senate deliberations after passing the House in May. The members thanked the Iowa congressional delegation for its efforts on priority issues like E15, the farm bill, and protecting interstate commerce. Rising input costs and economic challenges were consistent concerns voiced by members as they shared how policy impacts farm communities back home.
Steve Hameister of Linden, a Gutherie County Farm Bureau member and FFA instructor, shared what he sees through the eyes of his students. “The biggest concern I see is how expensive it is for young people to get started,” said Hameister. “High input costs make it difficult for them, and many want to continue family farm traditions, so helping young farmers get started is one of the biggest issues we face.”
The farmer delegation urged lawmakers to ensure the farm bill 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 would create a patchwork of laws that would disrupt interstate commerce, hurt family farms 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 the EPA’s summer waiver was welcomed news, members stressed how authorizing permanent E15 sales would boost Iowa’s biofuels industry and ag economy.
