Brent Johnson is the Iowa Agriculture Commissioner and a fifth-generation Calhoun County farmer.
Food security starts on the farm.
As a fifth-generation farmer, serving my neighbors, state and country is important to me. Even after I’m gone, the farm must continue to exist to fulfill this important role. But sometimes weather and market fluctuations, regulations and world events beyond farmers’ control make it difficult to fulfill that mission. That’s why the Farm Bill, despite its name, is important legislation, not just for farmers but for all Americans.
Congress’ passage of a modern version of the Farm Bill is essential to securing our nation’s food supply. The bill will also ensure the sustainability of family farms through risk management tools, conservation programs, investments in agricultural research, and trade opportunities.
Unfortunately, food security is threatened by a patchwork of state-enacted regulations that limit food availability and prices. For example, recent measures in California regulating how pork is produced have increased the price of certain pork cuts by 10 to 40 percent, according to Seth Meyer, chief economist for the USDA.
And that’s just the beginning.
If other states were to follow suit, it would hurt American trade opportunities by making it impossible for farmers (and other businesses) to comply with state-specific regulations. Restricting commerce between states would stifle farm growth, increase the costs for farmers to comply with regulations, and increase the costs of meat, milk, eggs, produce, and other goods for consumers. Low-income families would bear the burden of these measures, as basic human needs would go unmet as states limit the types of foods, goods, and services that can be sold within their states.
That’s why Farm Bureau continues to work with elected officials to prevent negative impacts on American families and prevent state and local governments from enforcing livestock regulations outside their own borders, so that they can be free to choose the products and services that fit their lifestyles and budgets.
The risk management tools provided by the Farm Bill are also a key component of food security. In recent years, farms have been hit by supply chain shocks that have resulted in astronomical costs to grow crops compared to the price they receive to sell them. According to data from Iowa State University, the cost of growing corn in Iowa has risen from $3.91 per bushel in 2019 to $5.14 per bushel in 2024. This increase includes a 40% increase in machinery costs and a 36% increase in seed and chemical costs. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates that the average price farmers will receive for corn this year will be $4.40 per bushel, with a projected loss of 74 cents per bushel. Additionally, farmers are being impacted by rising interest rates, with interest rates on farm operating loans increasing 39% since 2019. The farm safety net updated in the Farm Bill is essential to keep farm families farming and protect them from factors beyond their control that impact the food supply we all depend on.
Preserving the integrity of the land also ensures the success of these efforts. Iowa farmers have made great strides, leading the nation in conservation tillage, grassy waterways, water quality wetlands, bioreactors, buffer strips and pollinator habitat. These efforts not only protect water quality, but many of them improve soil health, keeping Iowa’s rich farmland fertile for future generations. A new Farm Bill is needed to ensure farmers have the latest data and tools to continue their conservation efforts.
The Farm Bill affects every American family and must be made a priority. The Iowa Farm Bureau thanks Iowa Representatives Randy Feenstra and Zach Nunn for their hard work in passing a bipartisan Farm Bill in the House Agriculture Committee. We urge House leadership to keep up the momentum with a floor vote and look forward to the Senate Agriculture Committee beginning its process.
When it comes to important issues like food security, America cannot afford to wait.
Brent Johnson is the Iowa Agriculture Commissioner and a fifth-generation Calhoun County farmer.
