Eastern Iowa conference

I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Eastern Iowa this past weekend focused on the challenges and opportunities facing farmers and rural communities.

My son, who lives on a farm near Muscatine, also participated in the event.

While this year’s Iowa harvest is expected to be one of the most productive on record, the soaring costs of essential inputs—such as fuel, fertilizer, and equipment—are severely undermining farmers’ ability to turn a profit. These financial pressures are further aggravated by a significant decline in agricultural exports to China, which one farmer described as an impending “financial train wreck.” The situation bears troubling similarities to the 1980s farm crisis in Iowa that touched every corner of our state and the Midwest as a whole. The calamity led to widespread bankruptcies and the loss of approximately 110,000 jobs in Iowa.

At our conference, I had the opportunity to hear just one of many similar stories resulting from the farm crisis. Shawn shared with me how his father, a foundry worker, lost his job due to the aftershock of the farm crisis. He told an inspiring story of how, through the support of his neighbors, community, and social safety nets, his family was able to weather these tough times.

You may wonder why residents of urban areas such as Council Bluffs or Carter Lake should be concerned about the rural economy. The answer lies in the connection of our communities. When farmers can't make ends meet, they may not eat out in town as much or buy a new vehicle. This means less for restaurant owners and the car dealers, so they might not have enough to spend on what they need either. And that affects even more people in town.

Supporting our Iowa farmers is not just a rural issue—it is a shared responsibility in an agricultural state. We must support our Iowa farmers now, or we will all end up paying for it later.