Statement by Senator Kevin Kinney, an Oxford farmer and ranking member on the Agriculture Committee
“Iowa’s meat processors are a key link in getting food seamlessly from farm to table. They ensure families can find fresh, healthy meat on their grocery store shelves, and that farmers have options for getting their livestock to market.
“The new Butchery Innovation & Revitalization grants will enhance local locker operations and create good rural jobs that help feed all Iowans, our country and the world.”
About the Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program
Beginning Monday, Oct. 18, Iowans can apply for funding through the new Butchery Innovation and Revitalization program opens Monday, October 18.
The program to strengthen Iowa’s food supply chain and rural development won unanimous approval in the Legislature earlier this year (HF 857).
Grants of up to $50,000 will help Iowa butchers and meat processors with fewer than 50 employees.
Funding can be used to:
Rent or purchase facilities and equipment to expand capacity.
Start, expand or upgrade a small-scale meat processing operation, custom locker or mobile slaughter unit.
Statement by Senators Kevin Kinney, Amanda Ragan and Jackie Smith on Biden Administration’s decision to support Iowa farmers
Background: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed a motion to vacate three waivers given by the Trump administration to Sinclair Oil Corporation refineries that exempted them from biofuel blending mandates.
“This decision by the Biden administration is good news for the renewable fuel industry and Iowa farmers who sell to them. It reverses a terrible decision by the Trump administration to support Big Oil and dampen demand for ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels.
“We need more policies at the state and federal levels to boost – not threaten – the economic well-being of rural communities. We must boost ethanol demand, help farmers and the biofuel industry, and jump-start the farm economy.”
Senators Kinney, Ragan and Smith are members of the Iowa Senate’s Agriculture Committee.
IOWA SENATE NEWS For immediate release: Oct. 30, 2019
Trump proposal ‘sides with the oil industry, not family farmers’
MOUNT PLEASANT – State Sen. Rich Taylor (D-Mount Pleasant), a member of the Iowa Senate Agriculture Committee, today called on Iowans to raise their voices in support of Iowa farmers and against a proposed policy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could cripple rural America by weakening the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“The proposed rule by the EPA is contrary to an ethanol plan announced in early October by the Trump Administration. Another broken promise is bad news for Iowa,” Taylor said. “Like many living in rural Iowa, I believed the Administration was moving toward keeping its commitment to the biofuels industry and American corn growers. Unfortunately, the EPA’s proposed rule sides with the oil industry, not family farmers.”
Taylor says he’s talked to many Southeast Iowa farmers who are worried
about the mixed messages they’re getting from Washington, D.C., especially
after ongoing tariff wars and bad weather that has created extra challenges for
planting, growing and harvesting crops.
One of those farmers is Dennis W. “Denny” Anderson of rural Mt. Union,
who farms corn and soybeans in Henry County.
“I’m a lifelong Iowan and farmer, and I can’t figure out what Trump and the EPA think they’re doing,” Anderson said. “Flip-flops and short-sighted decisions that line the pockets of big oil will hurt the ag economy and all the biofuels advancements we’ve made for generations to come. President Trump and our folks in Congress need to be straight with us. We’ve got to have some leadership now, or rural Iowa will tank completely.”
The Iowa Corn Growers and other commodity groups have objected to the
EPA’s plans for the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, including during an
EPA-sponsored forum today in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The RFS was established to
promote the use of renewable fuels and to replace fossil-based fuels.
Visit the Iowa Corn Growers website and send messages in support of Iowa farmers and the biofuels industry to President Trump, Senator Ernst and others.
Taylor encourages Iowans –
farmers and non-farmers – to join the Iowa Corn Growers’ quick and easy public
comment initiative on the EPA’s proposal.
Before the November 29 deadline, Iowans can visit the Iowa Corn Growers’ user-friendly website — https://ncga.com/public-policy/stand-up-for-corn/take-action — and send messages in support of Iowa farmers and the biofuels industry to President Trump, U.S. Senator Ernst and other federal officials.
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: August 20, 2019
Third bipartisan “Ag Day” with Iowa legislators to take place on Monday, August 26 in Sigourney
The 3rd bipartisan “Ag Day” will take place on Monday, August 26, in Sigourney. All members of the Iowa House and Senate have been invited. As of August 19, 24 have indicated they will attend. Members of the news media are welcome to attend.
“The focus of this event is helping legislators to learn more about precision farming and good conservation practices,” said State Senator Kevin Kinney of Oxford, a farmer and former Johnson County Deputy Sheriff. In past years, Senator Kinney has organized similar bipartisan Ag Days on Iowa agricultural issues.
This year’s event will focus on new conservation technologies. Topics will include terraces, waterways, improvements, tiling and the benefits of cover crops. At the event, John Deere will provide hands-on demonstrations. In addition, Ryan Vogel, the owner of a local earth moving and tiling business, will discuss the impact of recent legislation on cost sharing.
The event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM. Participants will meet at 10 AM at Sinclair Tractor, 1407 200th Ave in Sigourney. Sponsors of the event include Sinclair Tractor and the Keokuk Farm Bureau. Sinclair Tractor is providing a lunch.
If you have questions or would like to know more, contact kevin.kinney@legis.iowa.gov or call (319) 631- 4667.
Statement on the completed expansion of Highway 20 by State Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa, current Ranking Member and former Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee
“It’s been decades in the making, but we finally have a four-lane highway across northern Iowa between Dubuque and Sioux City.
“There will be a ribbon cutting in western Iowa for the completion of Highway 20 on Friday. I’ll be teaching in Maquoketa at that time, but I will still be celebrating this important investment in rural Iowa.
“Safe, efficient roads for Iowans, travelers and commerce have been top priorities over my last eight years on the Senate Transportation Committee. We’ve accomplished a lot in that time through bipartisan efforts focused on making Iowa the best place to live, work and do business.
“Expanding Highway 20 already has brought more traffic to the communities it passes through and has helped relieve congestion on I-80 by providing another convenient route across the state for people and freight.
“It will continue to create opportunities for manufacturing, agriculture, services, recreation and tourism—all of which create jobs, boost our economy and improve our quality of life.
“This and other infrastructure investments—like high-speed Internet—are critical to get Iowa’s economy going again, especially in our small towns and rural areas.”
Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Iowa State Senator Rita Hart of Clinton asks members of the Senate to sign a letter to President Trump, asking him to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes. Video of Senator Hart’s Statement to the Senate: https://youtu.be/6ZEUOGoKfnM
IOWA SENATE NEWS For Immediate Release: April 12, 2018
Iowa Senators stand up for Iowa farmers and Iowa’s economy
“…proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy…”
DES MOINES – Twenty-one Iowa State Senators are asking President Donald Trump to protect Iowa farmers, businesses and communities as he makes trade policy changes.
The letter urges the President “to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.”
Senator Rita Hart of rural Wheatland wrote the letter and invited all Senators to sign it.
“My husband and I farm near Wheatland. We know firsthand that mistakes in trade policy can have severe consequences on Iowa farmers, small businesses and rural communities,” said Hart, the former chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
The letter noted that “Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year.” It also drew attention to the fact that proposed U.S. tariffs increasing the cost of imported steel would also hurt Iowa manufacturers. The letter specially mentions Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, Iowa. The plant there has 600 Iowa employees and uses 1 million pounds of steel each week to make grain bins and dryers.
The letter was signed by every Democratic member of the Senate and by Independent Senator David Johnson.
-end-
FULL TEXT OF LETTER:
April 12, 2018
Dear President Trump:
Iowa’s prized humanitarian Norman Borlaug said: “Civilization as it is known today could not have evolved, nor can it survive, without an adequate food supply.”
Iowa has a rich history of feeding the world and we need to continue to feed the world without barriers. Iowa is the leading national producer of corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, and eggs. Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, shipping $14 billion of products abroad last year. And it’s important to note that 31 percent of farm income comes directly from exports.
For those reasons, we urge you to reconsider the economic costs and benefits of your plan to impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s clear to most observers that the inevitable retaliation to proposed tariffs will have a negative impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy by causing other countries to levy burdensome tariffs against Iowa farm products.
Iowa farmers have already faced several years of low commodity prices.
Any reduction in demand would be devastating, making a bad situation worse.
The potential beef tariff threatens Iowa farmers, who have just gotten back into the Chinese market after a long absence. U.S. beef exports to China totaled more than 3,000 metric tons in the last half of 2017, valued at $31 million.
It’s worth noting that Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, which results in 42,000 Iowa jobs. In addition, China imports about 60 percent of global soybean trade.
A trade war – even in the short term – creates the potential for a long-term loss of global market share because other countries will move quickly to fill the void if Iowa’s agriculture products become uncompetitive.
Manufacturing is the second largest driver of Iowa’s economy. The state economy is heavily dependent on the 3,000-plus factories across the state, many of whom are dependent on the farm economy. For example, the 600 employees of Sukup Manufacturing make iconic grain bins and dryers in rural Sheffield, Iowa, using 1 million pounds of steel each week.
We urge you, Mr. President, to reconsider this strategy because of the negative consequences on Iowans who farm, those who live in rural communities, and those whose livelihoods depend on products whose markets are threatened by a trade war with China.
Sincerely,
Senator Chaz Allen (D)
Senator Tony Bisignano (D)
Senator Joe Bolkcom (D)
Senator Nate Boulton (D)
Senator Tod R. Bowman (D)
Senator Jeff Danielson (D)
Senator William A. Dotzler Jr. (D)
Senator Robert E. Dvorsky (D)
Senator Rita Hart (D)
Senator Robert Hogg (D)
Senator Wally E. Horn (D)
Senator Pam Jochum (D)
Senator David Johnson (I)
Senator Kevin Kinney (D)
Senator Jim Lykam (D)
Senator Liz Mathis (D)
Senator Matt McCoy (D)
Senator Janet Petersen (D)
Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (D)
Senator Amanda Ragan (D)
Senator Rich Taylor (D)
Statement on the updated revenue estimates by Senator Joe Bolkcom,
Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member
“Since 2010, Statehouse Republicans and then-Governor Terry Branstad have made two big promises to Iowans: Raise family incomes by 25% and create 200,000 new Iowa jobs.
“Today’s updated revenue estimates are more evidence that Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are continuing to break those promises to Iowans. That’s bad, bad news for Iowa families and their communities, especially those living in smaller towns and rural ares.
“The bottom line is that economic prosperity and fiscal responsibility will only return if Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators start working in a bipartisan way to make smart investments in Iowa workers and their families.”
Senator Rita Hart of Wheatland is hosting a non-partisan summit to discuss improving water quality in Iowa.
The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, at Central DeWitt High School, 425 E. 11th Street, DeWitt. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and several organizations will have informational tables in the atrium.
A number of local and statewide organizations will participate in the summit.
“I invite the public to come and learn from the experts and begin to discuss the challenge of balancing the needs of the agricultural economy and wastewater management with the demand for clean water,” said Senator Hart.
