Iowa Corn Growers Association® Accomplishes Key 2019 State Legislative Priorities

The 2019 Iowa legislative session ended over the weekend and Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) President Curt Mether, a farmer from Logan, says notable progress occurred on legislative issues positively impacting Iowa agriculture.

“We accomplished key progress in ICGA’s state legislative priorities this year,” said Mether. “We are excited to hear the extension of the biofuels infrastructure program and additional funding for the conservation cost share program that are vital to the successes of Iowa corn farmers.”

2019 ICGA State Legislative Successes include:

• Ethanol Infrastructure – Iowa's Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) received a full year of funding at $3 million. The RFIP provides cost-share dollars to retailers that choose to install flex fuel pumps and other E15, E85, and/or biodiesel compatible infrastructure, increasing consumer access to renewable fuels.

• Beginning Farmer Tax Credit – The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit passed and is awaiting Governor Reynold’s signature.

• Conservation Cost Share – To the additional funding passed last year with Senate File 512, cost share programs were maintained to previous funding levels including $8.3 million for soil conservation cost share and $2.4 million for the Water Quality Initiative.

• Ag Appropriations – The legislature included additional funding in the amount of $500,000 for the Ag Extension and Diagnostic Lab as well as money for IDALS to help with fighting foreign animal disease.

• Ag Trespass Bill- Further protection and security for Iowa livestock producers against special interest groups with ill intentions to exploit the livestock operation.

“ICGA’s highly engaged grassroots members are a big factor in the success of ICGA’s state legislative policy efforts,” state Mether. “Our members guide our policies by discussions at roundtable events, surveys and our grassroot summit. We appreciate the members who have fostered relationships with their elected officials in bringing key issues to the table to support Iowa agriculture.”