Members Only Webinar - Nov. 18: 
What You Need to Know About the MAHA Initiative and Its Impact on Iowa 

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative has gained momentum over the past year. Activity at the federal level along with a series of reports have resulted in numerous MAHA-related bills surfacing in state legislatures across the country. These proposals span a wide range of issues, with potential to impact pesticides, seed treatment, seed oils and more.

Iowa is expected to be a key focus for MAHA advocates heading into the 2026 legislative session. That means now is the time for Iowa agribusinesses to understand what’s happening nationally and prepare for what may come next.

Join us for a webinar as industry leaders share the latest updates from states already facing MAHA-driven proposals, discuss likely implications for Iowa agriculture, and outline how our industry can stay ahead of emerging policy challenges.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

CropLife America

• Stephanie Pizzoferrato, Director of State Government Relations 

American Seed Trade Association 

• Jordan Gregory, Director, State Government Affairs 

National Oilseed Processors Association 

• Sophia Sackleh, Program Manager
• Ryan Locke, Vice President, Engagement

WEBINAR DETAILS

Tues., Nov. 18

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Online Event (link provided upon registration)

This webinar is only available to AAI member companies, Iowa Seed Association member companies, and their employees.

New Certified Private and Commercial Applicator Standards Going into Effect in 2026

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) rules for certifying pesticide applicators are changing to meet federal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule changes are going into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Summary of Key Changes Required by EPA

Minimum Age Requirements 

• Commercial, private, and noncertified applicators must be at least 18 years old to apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). 
• Immediate family members 16 years and older may apply RUPs on their family farm under the direct supervision of a certified private applicator if qualification requirements are met.

Noncertified Applicator Use and Supervision 

Noncertified applicators may qualify to apply RUPs for up to 21 days after initial employment under direct supervision. 

• “Direct supervision” means the certified applicator must be physically present at the application site and within sight or hearing distance of the noncertified applicator. 

Qualification Requirements for Noncertified Applicators 

A noncertified applicator must meet one of the following prior to RUP application under supervision to qualify: 

• Already hold certification in another category or jurisdiction 
• Completed an IDALS-approved noncertified applicator training program 
• Completed an EPA Worker Protection Standard Handler Training

Enhanced Supervision and Recordkeeping Requirements 

Requires more rigorous supervision and record keeping for certified applicators supervising noncertified applicators using RUPs. 

Testing and Certification Standards 

• All applicants will take updated written or online exams that meet EPA requirements for examination and competency standards. The oral examination option for private applicator certification is discontinued.
• Un-proctored online exams offered during COVID are no longer available. 

Civil Penalties for Private Applicators 

Civil penalties may be assessed up to $500 per violation for misuse or noncompliance by private applicators under Iowa Code 206.19. 

Alignment with Federal Standards 

These updates ensure Iowa’s program meets EPA Certified Applicator Rule standards as a condition of the State of Iowa remaining a co-regulator with EPA. 

IDALS reminds all pesticide applicators to carefully read and follow all label instructions, maintain accurate records, and ensure that anyone applying RUPs has received appropriate training and supervision. Safe and proper use protects applicators, their families, neighbors, and the environment. Updated study materials and training manuals will be available through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. 

Additional information about Iowa’s applicator licensing, certification, and training requirements is available on IDALS. For questions about the new requirements or for a complete listing of the applicator rule changes, contact the IDALS Pesticide Bureau at 515-281-8591 or pesticides@iowaagriculture.gov.

Nutrient Reduction Survey 2024 Crop Year Results

Every acre, every year, tells part of Iowa’s conservation story in nutrient reduction. Since 2017, the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council's (INREC) Nutrient Reduction Survey has tracked real on-farm practices across the state of Iowa, giving us one of the strongest datasets in the country. The year-to-year results have never shown dramatic jumps up or down. Instead, they show a steady adoption of conservation practices revealing farmers’ and land owners’ commitment to Iowa’s soil and water quality.

The 2024 growing season followed this steady pattern. Some of the highlights of this most recent survey include:

• No-till acres have increased by 22% since 2017, totaling over 9.4 million Iowa acres. Benefits include improved soil structure, increased organic matter, and reduced erosion.
• Cover crop adoption has grown nearly 142% statewide since 2017, helping reduce nitrate and phosphorus losses by about 30% in corn-soybean rotations. Even through challenging years, more farmers are finding ways to fit cover crops into their field management systems and keep soil covered year-round.
• Phosphorus use and management continues to show strong farmer commitment, with almost 95% of farmers applying only when at or below optimum nutrient levels.

These are just a few of the findings the Nutrient Reduction Survey has uncovered.

To learn more about what other nutrient management practices the survey collects and INREC’s data over the last eight years, click through to see full data results and summaries. 

Read the latest newsletter from INREC to explore more ways agriculture is moving the Nutrient Reduction Strategy forward.

Out And About

Member and Industry Visits

• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 

Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

• CropLife America 
• Nutrien 

Visits by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

• Latta Harris
• The Accel Group

Visit by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE)

Speaker: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

Nominations Open for Iowa Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award

Iowa’s classrooms are alive with innovation as teachers find creative ways to connect students with agriculture, the foundation of our state’s economy and way of life. To celebrate these efforts, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation is now accepting nominations for its annual Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award. 

This award honors a non-vocational PreK-12 teacher who goes above and beyond to bring agriculture to life in the classroom. The 2025 award recipient will receive up to $1,500 (covering conference and travel-related expenses) to attend the 2026 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.  

Applications are due Dec. 1, 2025, by 5 p.m. Teachers can apply directly or be nominated by community members, colleagues, or agriculture advocates. All nominated teachers must complete an official application.  

Educators who integrate agriculture show students how food production connects to health, energy, the environment, and STEM careers. The Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award highlights these efforts and amplifies the importance of agriculture literacy statewide. 

For nomination forms and applications, visit: https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/grants. The Iowa winner will represent our state at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award program.