Iowa’s agriculture industry is more than an economic driver; it is a way of life. Agriculture supports almost 416,000 jobs across our state, contributes $25.8 billion in wages, and generates nearly $63 billion in economic activity. Like many Iowans, I spent countless hours growing up spending time helping on our family’s century farm, raising sheep and poultry and growing row crops.

I’ve seen firsthand that Iowa feeds and fuels the world. That’s why I know we must continue supporting the farmers, producers, and consumers who make our agricultural economy possible. As a Member of the House Agriculture Committee, I’m committed to ensuring Iowans have a strong voice in shaping federal agricultural policy.

To that end, I am working to expand free and fair-trade opportunities for our farmers while protecting America’s agricultural assets. In recent years, adversarial nations such as China have sought to acquire farmland and gain access to sensitive agricultural technologies and intellectual property. Iowa farmland should remain in the hands of American farmers, and I’m fighting to prohibit Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland nationwide.

I am also advocating for the advancement of the future of American demand, biofuels and biobased products. This includes my role in passing permanent, year-round, nationwide access to E15. At a time when families are facing higher costs and farmers are managing rising input expenses, E15 provides consumers with an affordable fuel option while strengthening domestic biofuel markets.

Additionally, burdensome regulations have too often limited farmers’ ability to manage and grow their operations. Whether it is unnecessary restrictions on transportation, excessive permitting requirements, or federal overreach on private land, we need policies that empower producers and allow Iowa agriculture to thrive.