WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - January 14, 2014 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members will continue to work to advance Iowa's water quality and soil conservation efforts, protect property taxpayers, and improve Iowa's road and bridge infrastructure in the 2014 legislative session.

A strong push to continue to improve soil and water quality is one of several priorities identified by IFBF members.  "It's very important to maintain the momentum we have already seen for these voluntary conservation efforts by Iowa farmers through the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy," said Craig Hill, IFBF president.  "The strong demand last fall for water quality and soil conservation funds which were allocated during the 2013 legislative session clearly shows that farmers are stepping up to reduce nutrient loss and improve the soil for generations to come."

In 2013 the Legislature allocated on-going and one-time money to implement the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and the majority of that money has been allocated.  Iowa Farm Bureau will seek an additional $10 million in one-time funding to continue these new efforts in crop management and watershed projects.  In addition, Farm Bureau will advocate for one-time funds to help address the $18.5 million backlog of conservation cost-share projects to reduce soil loss, where demand has significantly outpaced cost-share funding, as well as one-time money to help close Iowa's remaining ag drainage wells.  "Allocating one-time funding for these important conservation projects is an ideal use for the state's ending fund balance," Hill said.

Ensuring that property taxpayers' contributions to the mental health system remain limited and controlled will be another emphasis for Farm Bureau during the 2014 legislative session.  As a result of previous mental health reform legislation, the current funding formula for property taxes is set to expire, and will need to be addressed this session.

Farm Bureau members will also advocate for increased funding for Iowa's roads and bridges, many of which are deteriorating and in need of repair or rebuilding.  Studies have shown that an additional $215 million per year is needed to meet the critical needs of Iowa's aging roads and bridges.  "Our delegates have strongly supported policy which says that any additional revenue for transportation infrastructure should be generated from the state's fuel tax," Hill said.  "Increasing the state fuel tax, which has not been increased since 1989, would ensure that the users of the roads, including out-of-state motorists, are paying directly for infrastructure repairs."

An increase in the user fee would also reduce pressure on Iowa's property taxpayers.  In fiscal year 2013, rural property owners paid over $153 million in property taxes to their local roads and bridges.  Additionally, with no other alternatives to pay for the needed repairs, more and more local governments are turning to bonding as an alternative source of revenue, with this debt being financed by local property taxpayers.  "This is a disturbing trend that we have seen throughout the state, and it will only continue into the future until the fuel tax is increased to cover road and bridge funding needs," Hill said.

Farm Bureau will also push for a continued commitment to agricultural research that adds value to ag products, aids the environment, increases farm efficiency, and improves health and safety.  In order to accomplish that, Farm Bureau will work to increase state funding for the Iowa State University (ISU) Ag Experiment Station and other ISU research programs.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to helping farm families prosper and improve their quality of life.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve economic growth, educational improvement, and environmental quality in their communities.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - January 10, 2014 - When it comes to meat, poultry and dairy products, "price" and "taste" drive most purchasing decisions of Iowa grocery shoppers, according to new research from the Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index^SM, conducted online by Harris Interactive® in November and December of 2013.  Nearly 8 in 10 Iowa grocery shoppers cited price (79% for meat/poultry; 80% for dairy) and taste (76% for meat/poultry; 77% for dairy) among the most important factors to them when buying meat, poultry and dairy products.  That finding on price was consistent, even among higher income Iowa grocery shoppers (those who make $75,000 or more).

The next most important considerations for Iowa grocery shoppers are "food safety" (39% for meat/poultry; 40% for dairy) and "nutrition" (41% for meat/poultry; 37% for dairy).

The Iowa Farm Bureau Food & Farm Index^SM surveys Iowa residents between 20 and 60 years old who have primary or shared responsibility for household grocery shopping; 502 such respondents were interviewed for this wave of research. It is the first in a semi-annual survey of Iowans to study the factors driving their food purchases.

Iowa grocery shoppers read labels

While the survey points to the common sense food priorities of Iowa shoppers, it also shows they're hungry for more information about how or where their food is grown or raised.  About two-thirds of Iowa grocery shoppers (68%) pay attention to such labels on their food.  Among those who do, the highest percentages say labels indicating that the food was raised in the U.S. (50%) give them the information they are seeking, followed by raised locally (43%), hormone free (36%) or antibiotic free (32%).

"This survey shows us there is an opportunity for farmers to share how they raise farm animals

or use antibiotics to protect the animals' health and that's an important issue because here in Iowa, where we lead the nation in several types of meat production, there are too many Iowans who don't understand the 'big picture' of antibiotic use on the farm," said Dr. Scott Hurd, DVM, PhD and Associate Professor, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Hurd, who served as Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety at the USDA in 2008, directing all federal meat and poultry inspection, says advances in feed, housing and veterinary medicine guide the care of all food chain animals and by law, there are strict withdrawal guidelines.  "That means no animals are on antibiotics when they go into the food chain, so there are zero antibiotics in meat.  Furthermore, Iowa farmers are also subject to standards of care on the farm which require regular supervision, ongoing research and certification programs to make sure animals raised in Iowa are kept safe, well-fed and pain-free," he said.

Farmers agree the Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index^SM shows a need for conversations to continue with consumers. "This shows us that Iowans believe their food is safe, but they want information about their food, so this is an opportunity for all farmers to connect with them and clarify a few things.  Since many Iowa shoppers pay attention to labels that claim the food is 'raised hormone free', they need to know that all foods come from living organisms and all living organisms have hormones.  In fact, science has long documented (http://www.usmef.org/growth-hormones-in-cattle/) that meat or dairy products have a fraction of the amount of hormones that cabbage contains.  This is an opportunity for critical food safety dialogue," said Craig Hill, Iowa livestock farmer and president of IFBF.

Farmers more trusted than doctors regarding food safety questions (Click here for Infographic)

The Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index^SM also showed that when it comes to the most trusted sources about food safety information, farmers (26%) ranked higher than dietitians/nutritionists (16%), medical professionals (11%), the government (7%), food companies (5%) or chefs/cooks (2%).

Additionally, 50 percent of Iowa grocery shoppers ranked farmers in their top three - the highest

percentage for this status - followed by dietitians/nutritionists (46%).

Methodology

Harris Interactive conducted the survey online on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau, within the United States from November 21-December 2, 2013.  A total of 502 Iowa residents aged 20-60 were surveyed, who have primary or shared responsibility for grocery shopping for their household.  For a complete methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Laurie Johns at ljohns@ifbf.org.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading market research firms, leveraging research, technology and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight.  Known widely for the Harris Poll, Harris offers proprietary solutions in the areas of market and customer insight, corporate brand and reputation strategy and marketing, advertising, public relations and communications research across a wide range of industries.  For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

For more information on the Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index^SM, please visit Iowa Farm Bureau at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

FORMER IOWA AGRICULTURE SECRETARY, AN AG BROADCASTING LEGEND, AND AN ISU EXTENSION CROP SPECIALIST NAMED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO AG WINNERS AT 95^TH IOWA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 6, 2013 - Patty Judge is a trailblazer in Iowa agriculture, serving as the state's first woman to be elected Secretary of Agriculture, where she served two terms;  Mark Pearson, the late host of IPTV's "Market to Market" and the "Big Show" on WHO Radio, was a household name for many Iowans; and George Cummins, retired crop specialist with ISU Extension Service, who still uses his agronomy background and farming experiences to serve as an advocate for agriculture.  The efforts of these Iowans help the cause of Iowa agriculture and rural communities over the past few decades.  Their work has earned Judge, Pearson, and Cummins the 2013 Iowa Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture award.  They were recognized during the Iowa Farm Bureau (IFBF) annual meeting in Des Moines, Dec. 4.

The award honors individuals who have played a significant role in the agricultural industry at the local, state and/or national level.  This is the 35th year for the award.  The three winners received plaques honoring their achievements and will be added to a permanent display at IFBF headquarters in West Des Moines.

Patty Judge

With years of experience in the healthcare field, efforts to promote rural Iowa, and public service, Judge spent her life promoting the state of Iowa.

After a career in healthcare as a registered nurse, Judge turned her attention to public service.  Judge was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 1992 and re-elected in 1996.  During her six years in the senate, Judge held numerous leadership positions including: assistant majority and minority leader, ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, member of the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Health and Human Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Economic Development Committee.  She also served as chair of the Regulation and Administration Appropriations Subcommittee.

In 1998, Judge became the first woman in Iowa to be elected Secretary of Agriculture.  She served the role for two terms, following re-election in 2002.  Judge and her family have owned a cow/calf farm in Monroe County for over 40 years.  Her knowledge and experience of production agriculture help her effectively work with leaders to increase market opportunities for Iowa's agricultural products.  Judge traveled the world, leading trade missions on behalf of corn growers, soybean growers, and livestock producers.  Judge's legacy as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture is tied to her tireless promotion of renewable fuels, allowing renewable energy to become an integral part of Iowa's economy under her leadership.

In addition to working on the family farm, Judge owns and operates her own strategic planning business.

Mark Pearson

If you have farming ties in Iowa, chances are good you listened to the late Mark Pearson.  As former host of IPTV's 'Market to Market' for over 20 years and 1,000 episodes and longtime farm broadcaster and host of WHO Radio's 'Big Show', Pearson, was heard by nearly one million listeners and viewers.

In addition to serving as an agriculture personality on television and radio, Pearson worked as the Markets Editor for Successful Farming and as Iowa's Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.  In 1980, he received the most coveted award in agricultural broadcasting, the DeKalb Oscar.  In 1986 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a Military Intelligence Officer and eventually earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

In 1995, Pearson and his family moved to a farm in east Peru, Iowa, where he built a diversified grain and livestock operation.  Pearson was a popular speaker for farm, business, and financial gatherings across the country.

Pearson developed a reputation as someone able to bridge the gap between rural and urban America through his work on television, radio, business, and public speaking engagements.  He will be remembered for an incredible work ethic and an unwavering commitment to agriculture and rural Iowa.

George Cummins

Cummins is well renowned for his unique combination of agricultural experience and knowledge coupled with the ability to teach others.  Cummins has amazed those in the agricultural community with his animated and engaging seminars and training sessions, all the way up to his retirement.  Although officially retired, one doesn't have to look hard to find Cummins actively engaged in Iowa agriculture.

Cummins moved to Floyd County in 1981 as the new ISU County Extension agent.  Loyalty to the land grant college system and commitment to his farmer clients earned Cummins the reputation as a strong leader for agriculture.  Cummins orchestrated the countywide Floyd County Agricultural Development Authority (FCADA), a coalition of agricultural producers, businesses, and industry leaders to promote economic growth.  The multi-year leadership development program provided the dialogue and laid the groundwork for regional economic advancement.

Early in life, Cummins developed the same beliefs as his role model, Dr. Norman Borlaug.  Using Borlaug's work as inspiration, Cummins had an integral role in the creation of the Borlaug Learning Center located at the ISU Research Farm near Nashua.  Cummins has been recognized for his inherent desire to assist others in improving their lives through agricultural education.  His guidance and mentoring of young people while showing our role in feeding the world has earned the respect and admiration of many in the agricultural community.