Iowa Farmers Come Together to Form “Iowa Farmers United by Commonsense” Group Amidst Ongoing Farm Crisis
Iowa Farmers United by Commonsense is Born Out of Deep-Seated Frustration with Iowa’s Leaders in Washington Who Are Failing to Deliver Relief From the Ag Economy Downturn
DES MOINES – Today, Iowa farmers from across the state are coming together demanding a change from the policies out of Washington DC that are driving up input costs, damaging important trading relationships, and encouraging corporate consolidation.
Over the last year, chaotic tariffs, stalled progress on year-round E15, dramatic cuts to the USDA, a disastrous U.S.-Argentina trade deal and $20 billion Argentinian bailout, and now the war in Iran is exacerbating a years-long economic downturn that is leaving Iowa farmers deep in the red and Iowa 50th in economic growth.
Amidst this turmoil, Iowa farmers are coming together to form “Iowa Farmers United by Commonsense,” a group who share a desire to see ag policy in Capitol Hill guided by commonsense – not partisan politics.
They want new leaders in Washington who will put the needs of Iowa farmers and Iowa’s rural economy ahead of politics and deliver on policies that will help farmers make a living and pass their farms down to their children.
“Our Iowa congressional delegation is failing to deliver relief for farmers who are struggling under the weight of failed and chaotic policies out of Washington DC,” said Seth Watkins, Page County Farmer. “We elected them to fight for us in Congress, but on important votes to end the tariff madness or bring down input costs they’ve sided against farmers. It’s time for new leaders who can deliver commonsense policies that will help farmers make a living without relying on handouts caused by self-inflicted disasters.”
“Farmers United by Commonsense was created to express the shared frustration thousands of farmers across Iowa are feeling when we go to purchase expensive fertilizer, try to repair our unaffordable equipment, or are forced to sell our product at a loss,” said Ryan Marquardt, Madison County Farmer. “The war in Iran is just the latest blow to farmers who have been dealing with chaotic tariffs and high input costs over the last year. We’ve all seen enough of our current Congressional leadership at this point to know they’re not going to be the ones to get us out of this mess.”
“As a farmer, I want my congressional leaders to listen to us – not just the big lobbyists. They need to do what is right for Iowa and Iowans,” said Wendy Johnson, Floyd County Farmer. “We are facing a looming farm crisis that is not getting better, but worse. Instead of pointing fingers, our leaders should be helping solve problems, fight for prevention, and not just use hard-working taxpayer dollars for band-aids because we can’t afford to keep doing the same old thing. It isn’t working for anyone. I want common sense back in Congress.”
“Iowa Farmers United by Commonsense” Members:
- Berleen Wobeter, Tama County Farmer
- Tom Furlong, Muscatine County Retired Farmer
- Seth Watkins, Page County Farmer
- Ryan Marquardt, Madison County Cattle Rancher
- Dave Muhlbauer, Crawford County Farmer
- John Whitaker, Henry County Retired Farmer and Former Iowa State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency
- Chris Nelson, Montgomery County Farmer
- Nick Larson, Linn County Farmer
- Tom Grau, Buena Vista County Past Farmer and Past Chairperson of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board
- Eric Lyon, Tama County Dairy Farmer
- Wendy Johnson, Floyd County Farmer
- Daniel Rosmann, Shelby County Farmer
- Kevin Kinney, Johnson County Farmer
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