🌾 Iowa Farms, Iowa Hands

I didn’t grow up on a farm — but like a lot of kids in Iowa, I grew up around one. I detasseled corn in the summers, cleaned out animal pens, and helped out on the family farm during harvest. 

Because in Iowa, farming is much more than a job. It’s a way of life – and the backbone of an economy that drives $159 billion in economic activity every year.

The problem: Nearly two-thirds of Iowa farmland is owned by folks 65 or older. As more producers retire, too much of that land is being bought by corporations and out-of-state investors. That makes it harder for young farmers to get started and puts the future of Iowa’s family farms at risk.

Why it matters: Over 95% of Iowa’s 87,000 farms are family-owned. They power local economies, support rural schools and co-ops, and carry forward the values of hard work, responsibility, and stewardship that define our state. 

If we want that legacy to continue, we need to make sure federal policy reflects the realities facing Iowa producers today – not the ones from decades ago.

That’s why I just introduced the Farm Transitions Act, a bipartisan bill to keep farmland in the hands of Iowa families by: 

✅ Breaking down barriers for young and beginning farmers

✅ Updating outdated policies that slow down or complicate farm ownership transfers

✅ Helping retiring producers pass their operations to the next generation

✅ Protecting family farms by pushing back against corporate consolidation

Bottom Line: Iowa’s future depends on our farms staying in Iowa hands. I’m fighting to give the next generation of young producers a fair shot — and to keep Iowa agriculture strong for decades to come.