Q: How does Iowa measure up to its nickname, Tall Corn State?

A: Iowa is the number one corn-producing state in the United States. According to the USDA, Iowa farmers planted 13.4 million acres of corn in 2023. A century ago, Iowa was the nation’s powerhouse in growing and processing popcorn; today popcorn is grown on approximately 8,000 acres, concentrated in the western part of the state. Sac City prides itself building the “World’s Largest Popcorn Ball” and Schaller’s town slogan is the “popcorn capital of the world.” Most people outside of the Corn Belt may not realize the vast majority of the beautiful green fields of corn waving against blue summer skies isn’t producing the freshly picked sweet corn that Midwestern families enjoy eating straight from the cob during this time of the year. Sweet corn accounts for less than one percent of Iowa’s planted corn acres. My #cornwatch series on social media is one way I try to help educate Americans how Iowa corn helps feed and fuel the world.

Through planting to harvest seasons, conventional field corn gilds the Iowa countryside from river to river across the state. More than half of the corn crop is processed into renewable biofuels by turning the kernels’ starch into fuel while the proteins remaining in the dried distillers grains become high quality livestock feed. While biofuel naysayers inside the beltway still echo oil industry talking points about food versus fuel, the reality is that Iowa corn kernels are serving both purposes at the same time. Iowa’s value-added corn crop also produces more than 4,000 everyday consumer products. Corn-based ethanol supports more than 40,000 jobs in Iowa, helping to catapult the Tall Corn State to first in the nation for biofuels production. From energy security to a cleaner environment and economic driver, corn-based ethanol also gives consumers a more affordable option at the pump. Homegrown ethanol displaces foreign petroleum products, underscoring how Midwest corn farmers strengthen U.S. food, energy and national security. As a lifelong family farmer and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m pushing Iowa priorities to be included in the new Farm Bill that expires on Sept. 30. I’m glad the Biden administration is listening to my calls to step up efforts to resolve Mexico’s free trade violations with U.S. corn exports. Mexico’s ridiculous ban on GMO corn is not based on science and violates the USMCA free trade agreement. Iowa exports 16 million tons of corn to Mexico each year and I’m working to ensure this key market stays open.

Q: What are you hearing from Iowans regarding the next Farm Bill?

A: During the month of August, I’m wrapping up my annual 99 county meetings for the 43rd consecutive year. From walking the livestock barns at the Iowa State Fair to holding round table discussions with farmers and meeting with Iowans working in their community food pantries, I answer questions and listen to feedback about the new Farm Bill. I continue to hear deep-seated concerns about foreign ownership of farmland and how that compromises U.S. food security and makes it harder for new and beginning farmers to buy land. In July, I voted to prohibit China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from buying U.S. farmland and will continue pushing my bipartisan legislation to strengthen transparency and oversight of foreign ownership of American farmland. Iowans also want to know if Congress would update the five-year Farm Bill by the end of the year. I’d like to see Congress get its act together and provide certainty to farmers and the rural economy. I’m working closely with members of the Agriculture Committee to advance bipartisan priorities, such as pumping up agriculture research and developing foreign market access, and passing legislation that would rein in abuse of farm payments and protect taxpayers; improve the Conservation Reserve Program and reduce competition for productive farmland between the USDA and farmers; keep intact the farm safety net, including crop insurance; curb wasteful spending through USDA’s financing arm called the Commodities Credit Corporation; and, liberate Iowa pork producers and consumers from California mandates that interfere with interstate commerce and dictate how Iowans tend their livestock. Congress has a lot on its plate when it returns after Labor Day. As work continues on the Farm Bill, I’ll champion the Corn Belt and policies that help improve the lives and livelihoods of Iowans.