Iowa farmers help feed and fuel the world and a political event is being planned in Des Moines next month that will zero in on the agricultural views of numerous possible presidential candidates.
Nick Ryan is the spokesman for what’s being called the Iowa Ag Summit. “The unique thing about Iowa is that every four years, our state becomes the epicenter of American politics and we often have the role of shaping and reflecting national policy movements,” Ryans says. “Being an ag state, unfortunately up until this point, there’s not been an event, a forum, that’s solely focused and dedicated to matters that directly affect Iowa farmers.”
There will be no party favoritism at the event, according to Ryan, who’s waiting on call-backs from about two-dozen political heavy-hitters. “We’ve invited a whole slew of both Republicans and Democrats,” Ryan says. “It’ll be bipartisan in its focus and really stay focused solely on those issues and provide an opportunity for those folks who might be running for president to come to this state and to share their views on modern agriculture.”
Organizers are hoping the summit will be a who’s who in presidential politics. “The invitation list is pretty much everybody that’s been speculated about that’s interested in running for president,” Ryan says. “Governor Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton, Vice President Biden, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Ted Cruz and on down the list.”
Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will also participate in the forum. The event is set for Saturday, March 7th at the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Learn more at: www.iowaagsummit.com.
(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)