But now that’s going to change, thanks to a new event organized by Iowa entrepreneur, Board of Regents president and influential GOP donor Bruce Rastetter. The Iowa Agricultural Summit will be held today at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Rastetter told Agri-Pulse that the idea surfaced last November and Gov. Terry Branstad has been a big supporter of the event, even calling a number of candidates and encouraging them to join the discussion. Other Iowa agricultural leaders have jumped on board, too.
"I believe this forum will be important for more than just Iowa farmers, but for those beyond Iowa's borders and for those outside of agriculture,” emphasized Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley has also been involved, after at least two candidates requested a briefing from him. Although Iowa’s senior senator won’t say who called, he advised them to be “sympathetic” to farmers facing corn and soybean prices below the cost of production. He also pointed out the importance of international trade and also ethanol - from the standpoint of protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard.
“Ag issues really don’t get the attention they ought to,” Grassley said. “When only 2 percent of the people in this country are producing food, we need all the help we can get.”
Rastetter says participants will be able to introduce themselves and then respond to about 20 minutes of the same core questions. Asked about the subject matter, he said:
· A combination of renewable fuels and wind energy.
· Immigration and a stable work force for agriculture.
· Biotechnology, organic food and labeling.
· Free trade, Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
· USDA subsidies, federal crop insurance and where that’s headed.
· Sustainability, including EPA’s Waters of the U.S. proposal, and the appropriate role of government in agriculture.
Rastetter, who along with a handful of other GOP heavyweights made a big push to encourage New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to run in 2012, says he’s “neutral” on the next presidential race. “I haven’t committed to anyone and won’t for some time.”
For now, he’s happy that the Summit is attracting a “broader set of Iowans,” beyond farmers and agribusiness leaders to university students, and those interested in science and technology. But even better, he hopes to garner national attention to the challenges associated with producing food for a growing world population with demand for food doubling in the next 40 years.
“A reporter asked me the other day why this (event) was important to the rest of America,” Rastetter said. “The simple answer is that – the last time I looked – everyone eats.”
Look who’s coming to Iowa….and who is not
The list of potential presidential candidates who will speak at the Agricultural Summit includes: Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, former Gov. George Pataki of New York, former Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, New York businessman Donald Trump and Former Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia. Vice President Joe Biden and presumed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton declined invitations to attend, leaving former Iowa Lt. Gov. and Ag Secretary Patty Judge as the lone Democrat speaking at what’s billed as a bipartisan event.
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