The Iowa Farmers Union 2009 Legislative Agenda is now available. Please contact Amber Anderson Mba or Gwen Foster at 800-775-5227 with any questions or comments.

Click here for a copy of the 2009 IFU Legislative Agenda

Join with the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement to influence legislators toward a better Iowa:

Tuesday, January 27, 10 am
Wallace Building, Des Moines

The Iowa Environmental Council will be hosting a lobby day on Tuesday, February 10 in the Rotunda. Visit their website for more information.

Our top priorities for 2009 include:

1) Protecting our Environment
Promote clean water in the state through conservation structures and sustainable farming practices
Revamp the master matrix used by counties for permitting of livestock facilities to better protect our air, water, and communities

2) Promoting Sustainable Independent Livestock Production
Level the playing field for independent livestock production by requiring more transparent markets, adjusting the tax structure, and promote local processing facilities

3) Promoting Sustainable Energy Independence
Promote locally owned and controlled sources of renewable energy including wind and biofuels
Give top priority to energy efficiency and renewable energy to create local jobs and benefit rural economies

4) Improving Rural Quality of Life
Promote, expand, and sustain localized economies to by developing local food systems, improving infrastructure, and providing opportunities for value-added agriculture
The full legislative agenda will be posted soon. Check back for the 2009 Lobby Day.

The phones, emails and blogs are abuzz with the latest Obama appointment - former Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa for the new United States Secretary of Agriculture. On the one hand people are ballistic because he is a trial lawyer and doesn’t come “from the farm.” On the other hand many who have known and worked with him in Iowa are not happy with him and his relationship with big ag, especially Monsanto.

[Read more →]

Iowa State University Dining Service would like to increase the percentage of food they purchase locally from Iowa. If you are interested find farmer guidelines and more information here. They currently purchase meats, dairy, fruits, and select vegetables.