March 28, 2024

Naig: God made Iowa for Ag

DES MOINES — Every job has its perks, but Mike Naig’s position has one of the best — attending the Iowa State Fair is in the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture’s job description. Tuesday afternoon Naig spoke to fairgoers at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox.

“God made Iowa for agriculture. You can see it when your travel our state,” Naig told the assembled crowd.

Naig, who was named to the state’s top agriculture post earlier this year by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds after Bill Northey was tapped for a top agricultural position within the Trump administration, is being challenged by Jasper County farmer Tim Gannon, a Democrat, in the November election. Gannon spoke on the soapbox Saturday.

A lifelong farmer, Naig grew up on his family’s century farm outside of Cylinder, in the northeast part of the state. Growing up on a century farm, Naig said he’s seen hard times before, including the farm crisis of the 1980s. Today, Naig sees farmers facing those some concerns.

“My dad used to say the only thing he could control was how hard he worked,” Naig said.

Farmers across the state have paid close attention to the race. Many are concerned that tough talk on tariffs from President Donald Trump will push already depressed prices even lower, as farmers prepare to take their harvest to the market this fall. After President Trump instructed the United States to impose tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports in June, China struck back, slapping a 25 percent tariff on 435 U.S. goods, including soybeans.

China is the largest purchaser of U.S.-grown soybeans, importing 1.35 million bushels from United States farmers last year, 33 percent of the total crop. While politicians across the state, including Reynolds, agree the Chinese need to be held accountable, many believe farmers are shouldering too heavy of a load in the ongoing battle.

“There’s no doubt we need to hold our trading partners accountable, and there’s no doubt that Iowa’s farmers are bearing the brunt,” Naig said.

To address fears that farmers will bear the brunt of a trade war, the Trump administration announced this summer it will create a $12 billion aid package to help farmers. Despite this promise, Naig said Iowa farmers aren’t interested in an aid package.

“We want trade, not aid,” Naig said.

To solve the crisis facing farmers, Naig said he’s focused on a two-part solution — improving markets both inside and outside of the United States for Iowa crops. Pushing for nationwide access to E15 year-round, nationwide would help boost prices for Iowa row crops.

Naig’s message resonated with the crowd Tuesday, including Iowa House District 29 candidate Ann Howell. Even though she’s not an Iowa native, Howell said she’s seen firsthand the importance of agriculture in Iowa.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa,” Howell said. “That’s something we want to hold onto.”

Howell said she’s supportive of the president’s trade war, even as it continues to escalate. She understands local farmers aren’t interested in aid packages, but she hopes farmers will give Trump a little more time before passing judgment.

“There may be a few bumps along the way, but we’re going to get these things straightened out,” Howell said. “I think farmers just need to hold on with a little faith and a little trust.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com