SAINT CHARLES, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today toured Kaysen Family Farms and led over 30 attendees in a discussion about the 2023 Farm Bill. The event was part of a series the Greater Des Moines Partnership plans to host with each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation. 

“Conversations with Iowa farmers inform my work on the Farm Bill. Thanks to Kaysen Family Farms and the Greater Des Moines Partnership for facilitating a discussion on this year’s reauthorization, and to the participants who voiced their concerns and priorities,” Grassley said. “I look forward to bringing what Iowans are saying about the Farm Bill back to Washington.” 

“Thank you to Senator Grassley for taking the time to speak with Greater Des Moines Partnership Investors and Madison County Chamber of Commerce Members about an issue that is important to our region, and thank you also to Kaysen Family Farms for hosting us,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Farm Bill reauthorization is one of The Partnership’s public policy priorities as determined by our Investors and Members, and we look forward to working with Senator Grassley on this and other priorities to ensure our region is a top place for businesses to grow.”

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The event was one of Grassley’s meetings in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. He answers questions on any subject. Iowans set the agenda. In addition to the Farm Bill, Grassley spoke with attendees about agricultural workforce issues, as well as efforts to lower prescription drug costs and improve transparency among pharmacy benefit managers. 

Farm Bill Outlook:

Based on priorities Iowans have shared with Grassley during his 99 county meetings, he is working to preserve crop insurance and include the following legislation in the upcoming Farm Bill:  

  • The Farm Program Integrity Act, which would prevent mega farms from receiving bloated government payouts by capping farm payments for single-farm operations and ensuring only those actively engaged in farming are eligible for payments.  
  • The EATS Act, which would prohibit states like California from controlling animal welfare and agricultural production outside their borders.   
  • The CRP Reform Act, which would improve productivity and reduce competition for beginning farmers by prioritizing marginal farmland enrollments in the CRP. 
  • The USDA Spending Accountability Act, which would institute guardrails for the Agriculture Department’s financing arm, as its current structure allows the agency to funnel taxpayer dollars to bureaucratic pet projects and greenwashing initiatives backed by big corporations. The bill stands to save approximately $8 billion, freeing up funds for projects like agricultural research and market development initiatives. 
  • The Biochar Research Network Act, which would expand knowledge about biochar and its potential to enhance soil quality. ? 

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