Iowa delegation should act against federal ag overreach

As farmers at Blueyah Blueberry Farm in Iowa, we take pride in being good stewards of the land and responsible participants in our local food system. That’s why we’re deeply concerned about federal legislation that would severely weaken the ability of states to govern their own agricultural standards, including the Save Our Bacon Act and the Food Security and Farm Protection Act.

These proposals do not protect farms or food security. In reality, they would override state laws that safeguard animal welfare, public health and environmental quality. These bills would strip away local control and hand it to the federal government, disregarding the unique needs and values of individual states and communities.

Farming isn’t one-size-fits-all. Local conditions, markets, and environmental risks vary greatly across the country, and states must be able to respond accordingly. Federal overreach into state-level food policy threatens the very foundation of responsible, regionally adapted agriculture.

The Iowa delegation should listen to all constituents including farmers like us that these bills threaten farming and local decision-making. Congress must reject this federal overreach, including use of the upcoming Farm Bill to undermine state laws. Our food system and communities depend on it.

Jenna Hammerich

Blueyah Blueberry Farm

Oxford