AAI Convenes Ag Groups To Share Legislative Priorities

With the beginning of the 2026 legislative session just over a month away, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Legislative Committee hosted agriculture groups, government agencies, and education partners this week to share their legislative priorities for the upcoming session. AAI welcomed representatives from Governor Kim Reynolds' office, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Key themes from the organizations included property tax reform, property tax for moveable storage tanks, language fixes for Grain Indemnity Fund legislation from 2025, mineral rights, water quality funding, Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), and budget requests for funding of state agencies and educational institutions.

The AAI Legislative Committee convened in the afternoon to review the discussion and AAI legislative priorities. The committee also discussed the changing mix of state legislators who have agricultural ties or background.

Legislative Breakfast

Mark your calendar for the annual AAI Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 21, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. This event is a great opportunity to build relationships with legislators and share agribusiness priorities. Contact sally@agribiz.org for additional information.

Get Involved

AAI members can help shape the policies, programs, and events that matter most to them by participating in an AAI committee. AAI member company employees can serve on a committee by emailing aai@agribiz.org, calling the AAI office, or filling out a form online.

AFBF Pays Tribute to Bill Northey

Bill Northey, former CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and longtime agricultural leader from Iowa, will be honored posthumously with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2026 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

AFBF established the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award (DSA) in 1928 to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. The Iowa Farm Bureau nominated Northey for the DSA. A national Farm Bureau committee selected Northey as the honoree.

Northey was an avid supporter of agriculture for decades, working for farmers and ranchers across Iowa and the country. He was elected as the Iowa secretary of agriculture three times – in 2006, 2010 and 2014 – before being tapped by President Donald Trump to be under secretary for farm production and conservation at USDA. He held that post until 2021, became the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa in May 2022 and passed away in February 2024.

Full press release from AFBF

Thank You For Your Membership!

As a member of AAI, you support the industry that is leading innovation, stewardship, and growth. Thank you for your membership and your commitment to the success of agribusiness in Iowa.

The following companies have recently joined or renewed their membership for the 2026 Membership Year.

Out And About

Member and Industry Visits

• Farm Credit Services of America
• Trader PhD Ag Marketing

Visits by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Iowa Nutrient Research Center Stakeholder Meeting

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Ben Gleason, Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) Executive Director

Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Annual Meeting

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Leadership Conference

Keynote Speaker: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

Crop Insurance Discount Program Open Through Jan. 23

The signup period for the IDALS $5/acre Crop Insurance Discount Program (CIDP) is now open and accepting applications through Fri., Jan. 23, 2026. 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and partners worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) to establish this project aimed at expanding usage of cover crops in Iowa. 

Through this project IDALS will provide up to $5/acre for cover crops to eligible applicants. Funding will be provided through USDA-RMA as an additional insurance premium discount through normal crop insurance processes. The premium reduction will be available for fall-planted cover crops with a spring-planted cash crop. Some policies may be excluded, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements. Participating farmers must follow all existing good farming practices required by their policy and work with their insurance agent to maintain eligibility.

Farmers are encouraged to wait to apply until their cover crop seeding has been completed. Please note that cover crop acres currently enrolled in state and/or federal programs are not eligible for this program. 

Program rules, FAQs, and links to brochures for landowners and insurance agents can be found on the program homepage: https://www.cleanwateriowa.org/cropinsurancediscount