Senate Journal: Page 44: Tuesday, January 13, 1998

  Last summer and fall, I was in over 60 counties to learn more about
  value-added
  agriculture.  What I discovered from Iowans was really quite profound: our
  future is on
  the table.

  Iowans told me that a significant barrier to investment in new agricultural
  enterprises was the availability of investment capital.  We must encourage
  more
  networking among producers.  The state should become a reliable partner for
  those
  entrepreneurs who need help getting off to a good start in agriculture.

  We need to expand the innovative Beginning Farmer Loan Program that works
  with bankers to help new, young farmers get started.  The average age of
  borrowers
  from this program is 32, the average age of an Iowa farmer is well over 50.
  It is vital to
  get more young people into farming.

  I am also recommending the creation of the Agrifutures Fund - a $25 million
  revolving loan guarantee program - as well as expanded use of the Link
  Deposit
  Program to support the development of value-added agriculture activities.

  One of the fastest growing areas in agriculture is organic farming.  This
  year,
  62,000 acres are in organic production - a significant number, but not
  nearly enough to
  meet the growing demands.  We need to establish a state Organic Agriculture
  Certification Program to provide a valuable marketing tool that will add
  credibility and
  stability for the organic farmer to become competitive in the global
  marketplace.

  A study by Iowa State University identified livestock production as the
  single most
  efficient way to add value to grain.  Jobs related to the livestock industry
  employ more
  people than live in Council Bluffs, Dubuque and Iowa City combined.

  Three years ago, we adopted one of the nation's strongest laws regulating
  the
  livestock industry.  Our approach is based on strict, stable,
  scientifically-based,
  statewide standards.

  This year, we must expand the State's ability to deal with chronic violators
  by
  enabling the Department of Natural Resources to deny new permits and revoke
  the
  existing ones of those who repeatedly break our environmental laws.

  Good stewardship of the land has always been central to the Iowa character.
  We
  cannot allow the loud voices of a small minority to drown out the need for
  good, solid
  Iowa common sense policies.  Balancing strong statewide standards with an
  enhanced
  ability to stop those who do not live by the rules will provide the valuable
  environmental protection Iowans expect.

  Succeeding in the global economy of the 21st century demands that our work
  to
  improve Iowa's competitiveness never cease.

  The actions we took last year on income and inheritance taxes were
  significant
  steps forward, but we can do more - and we should.

  Retirees add so much to the vibrancy of our communities and we can no longer
  afford to lose so many of them.  It is all too common to hear of long-time
  Iowa residents
  moving to Illinois or South Dakota upon retirement.  This year, we should
  double the

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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Last update: Wed Jan 14 13:50:15 CST 1998
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