Iowa Farmers Union members wrapped up their recent state convention in Perry with many pressing concerns. President Aaron Lehman says topping the list is the depressed farm economy and lower farm income, along with mega ag mergers.
He says with all the large agribusiness mergers, it’s also alarming that the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration is being rolled into the USDA Ag Marketing Service. That will lead to less protection for farmers and ranchers.
Lehman says his organization also wants the State of Iowa to bring back and fully fund the Leopold Center to help them with sustainability and innovation issues.
Lehman says many farm and field practices being used by producers today to be profitable and sustainable came from research brought out by the Leopold Center. Last session, Iowa state legislators stripped the funding from that center.
