GOP 2016 presidential hopefuls to attend Iowa Agricultural Summit

DES MOINES - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is among seven Republicans who have pledged to attend an Iowa presidential candidate forum on agricultural issues, the event's organizer said Wednesday.

The Iowa Ag Summit is being organized by Bruce Rastetter, an Iowa businessman and Republican activist, and is scheduled for March 7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Rastetter said he has invited potential presidential candidates from both parties to discuss various agricultural issues.

He said seven candidates - all Republicans - have thus far pledged to attend: Bush, fellow former governors Mike Huckabee and Rick Perry, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and businessman Donald Trump.

'We're delighted with the level of interest we're seeing and the importance that summit participants are placing on issues that are vital to the future economic direction of our state and nation,” Rastetter said in a statement.

A spokesman for the event said organizers expect more speakers to confirm in the coming days.

Huckabee, Perry, Santorum, Walker and Trump also attended U.S. Rep. Steve King's Iowa Freedom Summit last month in Des Moines.

Rastetter said each speaker will appear on stage with him for 20 minutes to field questions on ag-related topics. Rastetter said subjects could include renewable fuels, biosciences, genetically modified organisms, and land conservation and federal subsidies.

Some of Iowa's top elected Republicans - U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds - also will speak at the event.

'This is a unique opportunity for candidates and potential candidates to talk specifically about agricultural and economic issues,” Branstad said in a statement. 'I couldn't be happier to see the number of people who have agreed to participate, and I continue to encourage candidates in both parties to come share their message and vision for the country's economy and the agricultural sector.”

The religious conservative organization The Family Leader plans a series of events for presidential candidates, and former U.S. House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers is planning a summit for candidates to discuss foreign affairs issues.