Fifth Generation Iowa Farmer Looks to Expand Agricultural Job Growth

DES MOINES - Farmer, crop insurance agent and former USDA official Tim Gannon announced today he is running for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. Tim, who grew up in Mingo and farms 900 acres on his family’s Century Farm in Jasper County, is pledging to strengthen support for Iowa’s core agricultural products while also expanding investment in new products designed to grow jobs and opportunity in the state. “My values come from my family farm and the small Iowa town in which I was raised,” said Tim Gannon. “I know firsthand the critical role agriculture plays in the success of Iowa. It is the foundation on which sustainable growth and job creation come to all corners of our state. “As Secretary of Agriculture, I will strengthen support for the pillars of Iowa agriculture, and I will fight to expand the market so that producers of all types and sizes can thrive,” said Gannon. “In places like my hometown of Mingo, we need to do much more to give young people hope for the future, and that means expanding Iowa agriculture and supporting value-added products that can be tested, grown, and manufactured right here in Iowa. It also means taking care that our valuable farmland remains healthy and productive and that our waterways provide clean water that is safe for all Iowans -- rural and urban.” As Secretary of Agriculture, Tim Gannon will work every day to find new markets for Iowa’s corn and beans, keep foreign markets open for the state’s products and improve soil health, so farmers remain the most productive in the world. Protecting Iowa’s soil and water and creating economic opportunities outside of urban centers will help keep Iowa’s best and brightest living on the farms and small towns that have given so much to the state. From 2009 to 2017, Tim worked for former Iowa governor, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in various positions focused on improving risk management options for farmers and ranchers, creating jobs in rural communities, and improving the delivery of USDA services and programs to all Americans. When credit was especially tight for rural businesses in 2009, Tim helped USDA Rural Development implement an expanded business loan program improving its delivery in all 50 states. As Associate Administrator of the Risk Management Agency (RMA), he helped oversee implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill expanding insurance options for new and beginning farmers, producers of various sizes and production methods, and insurance products for new crops. Tim worked to address difficult issues to ensure RMA worked more efficiently and respond to farmers use of new technology. While serving at RMA, the improper payment rate in crop insurance fell to less than half of the government average, and he led efforts to better integrate precision technology into crop and acreage reporting. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Tim lives in Des Moines with his wife, Liz, and daughter, Lucy, who they welcomed in December 2017. Learn more about Tim, the campaign and how to get involved at www.GannonforIowa.com

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