AMES, Iowa — Iowa Farmers Union members from across the state gathered on Dec. 6-7 at the Quality Inn & Conference Center in Ames for the 109th Annual State Convention.
The IFU convention set the grassroots legislative policy that will guide the organization’s efforts in 2025, elected leadership, and conducted workshops and panels that focus on topics at the forefront for family-scale farmers.
This year’s programming emphasized themes around fairness in farming and the impact of agricultural policy. Keynote speaker Austin Frerick discussed antitrust policy, the impact of monopolies on agricultural systems, and his recent book, Barons. Panel speakers took on discussions about the volatile Farm Bill debates in Congress. Workshops tackled various topics, including strategies to respond to farmer stress, Iowa‘s water quality, storytelling tools, and protections from pesticide-related injuries.
“Farmers Union members were ready to take on the issues of the day,” said Aaron Lehman, IFU president. “We know that the challenges facing family farming are intense, but our group was energized by learning from one another and developing plans and priorities for moving ahead.”
Aaron Lehman, a Polk County farmer, was elected president of the Iowa Farmers Union for another term. Ryan Marquardt, a Madison County farmer, was also reelected as vice president. Tony Thompson was newly elected to the Board of Directors in the Southwest District, and Berlene Wobeter now represents the Northeast District. Jerry Rosman, Mike Carberry, and Aidan Struve were reelected to the board.
During the policy debate, members approved seven special orders of business:
The Farm Bill
Opposing CO2 Pipeline Use of Eminent Domain
Farmers’ Legal Rights in Pesticide Cases
Agriculture and Iowa‘s Rising Cancer Rates
Local Food Marketing and Purchasing Incentives
Fair Trade and Tariffs
Continuing Support for Farmers in Ukraine
To view the seven special orders of business, click here.
IFU presented Friends of the Farmer Awards to State Rep. Chuck Isenhart for his work to advance the local and regional food system, Jana Linderman for her years of service to IFU as former president of the organization, Cheryl Tevis for her commitment to grassroots journalism that impacts family-scale farmers, and Iowa Farmers of Colors for their work to provide valuable information and networking opportunities to farmers of color in Iowa and the midwest region.
–Iowa Farmers Union
