Awards presented at Iowa State Fair to families that have lead the way on environmental stewardship

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented 95 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

"It is a pleasure to have the opportunity each year to recognize Iowans who go above and beyond to be good stewards of our land," said Branstad. "Farmers take pride in conservation efforts and preserving and protecting our natural resources. The Farm Environmental Leader award gives us all an opportunity to recognize their efforts as exceptional leaders."

"The passion and dedication exhibited by the farmers honored at this year's Farm Environmental Leader awards was inspiring. Many of the recipients remarked at how long they had been working to achieve such recognition," said Reynolds. "We know that across Iowa farmers are committed to protecting the land and we were pleased to be able to highlight the work of some farm families' exemplary work."

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.  It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

This is the fourth year for the award program and to date more than 300 families have received recognition.

"Iowa is a national leader in conservation and water quality efforts and it is important that we recognize the farmers who are making a significant investment in conservation efforts and serving as examples in how we can continue to better care for our air, soil and water," Northey said.

Winners were presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto and a commemorative program provided by the Iowa Ag Water Alliance.  Hagie Manufacturing sponsored a recognition luncheon following the ceremony.  Bob Quinn from WHO Radio served as the Master of Ceremony.

All winners were chosen by a selection group representing both conservation and agricultural groups.

The selection group that approved the 2015 winners included Jim Gillespie from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Bruce Trautman from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Jim Frederick from the Conservation Districts of Iowa, John Lawrence from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Sean McMahon from Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Jan Glendenning from The Nature Conservancy, Jeff Pape from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Jay Lynch from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Jim Andrew from the Iowa Soybean Association, Pat Daufeldt from the Iowa Turkey Federation, Dan Wetherell from the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Haley Stalcup from the Iowa Cattlemen's Association.

Please find spreadsheets that list all the 2015 winners of Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards here.  Photos were taken of families that came to the ceremony and the final column lists the families for which there is a picture available.  High resolution copies of the photos by the recipients' last names can be found here. Please email Dustin.VandeHoef@ if you have other questions.

(DES MOINES) - On Thursday, August 6, 2015, Gov. Terry E. Branstad denied the following applications for commutation:

Bruce A. Hatter, age 53, committed his crime on December 1, 1981, in Linn County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree kidnapping.

Fred L. Ruble, age 54, committed his crime on January 9, 1982, in Woodbury County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree kidnapping.

Gary A. Winnett, age 51, committed his crime on March 2, 1987, in Boone County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released the following statements praising former Iowa Speaker of the House Rep. Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) upon learning of his decision to step down from his leadership post in the Iowa House of Representatives. Paulsen is one of the longest-serving Republican leaders in Iowa House of Representative history.

"Representative Kraig Paulsen has been one of the most effective legislative leaders I have had the privilege of working with at the state capitol. Even before he was Speaker, Representative Paulsen worked across party lines in the minority to prevent the passage of ill-advised, job-killing legislation. With the partnership of Iowa House Republicans under his tenure as Speaker, we balanced the state's budget, restored financial stability in state government, passed the largest tax cut in the state's history and passed student-focused education policies to raise pupil achievement, among many other things," said Branstad. "As one of the longest-serving House Republican leaders in state history, I can understand Representative Paulsen's decision. I've appreciated his friendship, leadership, and his partnership as we've work to build Iowa for the future."

"As a former legislator who served during the period of reckless budgeting and across-the-board budget cuts, I've valued the commitment of Representative Paulsen to ensure government lives within its means just as the hard-working taxpayers of Iowa do each day," said Reynolds. "Together with Iowa House Republicans, we've worked to make state government more effective, efficient and innovative. We'll miss Representative Paulsen's leadership during the legislative session, but we're confident he'll continue to honorably represent his constituents and work to protect the interest of the hard-working taxpayers of Iowa."

A photo of Branstad, Reynolds and Paulsen from 2011 after Gov. Branstad had signed the last of the budget bills, which restored stability and predictability in state budgeting, can be found here.

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that current governor's office legal counsel Michael Bousselot (Boo-sa-low) will be the next Chief of Staff to the governor and lt. governor. Bousselot's selection comes following the announcement that current Chief of Staff Matt Hinch will depart the office to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. A photo of Bousselot can be found here.

"Since taking office, Michael has played an important role in crafting critically important policies like the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, the largest tax cut in Iowa history, the Healthiest State Initiative and Medicaid modernization," said Branstad. "His background as a policy advisor, legal counsel and accountant makes him uniquely qualified to lead our office and continue working with the Legislature to pass meaningful policies that improve our state."

Bousselot has advised the governor on issues relating to revenue and health care, among others. He has served as policy advisor to the governor and lt. governor for the Iowa Department of Human Services, Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department on Aging and the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System.

"Michael possesses rare leadership and analytic qualities that allow him to offer common sense Iowa solutions for challenges our state faces. We saw Michael's leadership in the bipartisan mental health redesign of 2012 that has provided more access to mental health services than ever before," said Reynolds. "Michael's record of working on issues on a bipartisan basis will serve him well as we continue building Iowa for the future."

Before joining Governor Branstad's staff, Michael Bousselot, 32, a Davenport native, worked as an attorney in private practice in his hometown. Before practicing law, Bousselot worked as a consultant in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 2005 and a master's degree in accounting and business taxation in 2006 from The University of Iowa. In 2009, he received his law degree from Drake University Law School.

"It has been an honor to serve in Governor Branstad's and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds' administration in various capacities. As I prepare to enter my new role in the office, I'm humbled by the opportunity presented and the trust bestowed upon me by the governor and lieutenant governor to continue building on the progress Iowa has made," said Bousselot. "Iowans would be hard pressed to find a harder-working governor and lieutenant governor and I pledge to work diligently to continue advocating for policies that foster growth, serve the best interest of the taxpayers and make Iowa an even better place for Iowa families to live, work, and grow."

Bousselot, a resident of Des Moines, will assume his role as Chief of Staff on Aug. 8, 2015.

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