Tama Civic Center - Women in Ag

By Andi Anderson

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) hosted a Women in Ag roundtable at the Tama Civic Center on Tuesday morning. Hinson, who represents Iowa’s Second District, met with seven women from Tama, Benton, and Iowa counties to discuss current and future challenges and opportunities in the farm economy.

Despite not being a farmer herself, Hinson emphasized her interest in hearing from women in agriculture and her commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.

During the 45-minute discussion, Hinson and her panel addressed several pressing issues, including the negotiations on the Farm Bill, commodity prices, the controversial EATS Act, Mexico’s ban on genetically modified corn, layoffs at equipment manufacturers like John Deere and Kinze, disputes with China, and efforts to attract workers to rural Iowa.

Hinson expressed frustration with the stalled Farm Bill, which faces a looming deadline as the current one-year extension expires on September 30, 2024. She remains optimistic about securing another extension, stating, “That cost is significant, but I think making investments in American agriculture is really critical right now with what’s happening around the world, not just for the food supply and food security here at home.”

The conversation also touched on the importance of agricultural production to urban and rural communities alike, with Hinson noting that agricultural jobs support many residents in Cedar Rapids, the largest metropolitan area in her district.

Panelists like Lisa Kubik from rural Traer shared insights on the beef market, while Rebecca Dostal, also from Traer, discussed the impact of high equipment costs and layoffs in the agricultural equipment industry. “We can’t afford that equipment anyhow. That’s why there’s layoffs. They’ve made the prices so high,” Dostal said.

High interest rates and struggles to access capital were other hurdles highlighted by Hinson. The congresswoman, who serves on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, asked about concerns related to China’s theft of intellectual property and land ownership.

Sierra Hagedon, a farmer from Traer, mentioned that nationals from various countries own American land, while Staci Buhr from Benton County noted the importance of balancing negotiations with China, a major recipient of American agricultural exports.

“They love to steal, and I know it’s not just China, but China is the worst offender and they come in and they blatantly steal our IP,” Hinson said.

The discussion also addressed delays in equipment repairs and the challenge of finding reliable labor. Hinson referenced Iowa’s legislative efforts to ease work restrictions on teenagers, emphasizing the importance of safe working conditions for youth.

Hinson concluded by highlighting her advocacy for women’s healthcare in rural Iowa, particularly maternity services, as part of her broader goal to grow the state’s population and secure funding for various projects within her district.

Before departing, Hinson, a former television news anchor, answered media questions about federal assistance for recently laid-off employees and shared her thoughts on the presidential race. She criticized Minnesota Gov.

Tim Walz, selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, predicting a challenging campaign against their policies. “I think we’re looking forward to, over the next couple of months, campaigning against the Harris-Walz agenda because we know they’ll tax everything that moves and won’t support law enforcement and our communities will be less safe,” she said.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski