Republican presidential hopefuls Dr. Ben Carson and former New York Governor George Pataki took the Des Moines Register Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair Sunday with a common message of reducing America’s debt. Dr. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, focused much of his remarks on personal stories yet engaged the crowd with lessons learned. For example, he said, “The person who …
No #GetYourAgOn From These Candidates
There are a lot of candidates vying to be the next president of the United States floating around the Iowa State Fair, but for being in Iowa, many are missing the boat on two very important issues to the state – energy and agriculture. This weekend, presidential candidates Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator of Pennsylvania (Republican); Lincoln Chafee, former Governor …
Jeb Bush Touts #Ag Support at Iowa State Fair
Republican Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and presidential hopeful, kicked off his time on the Presidential Soapbox promoting his support of agriculture and renewable energy. Florida has a huge agriculture community. In fact, the state ranks second in value of vegetable production, just behind California, is the first in production value for oranges, grapefruit, watermelons, and more and is …
Democrats Webb, O’Malley Tout Support for Ag, Energy
Democratic hopeful presidential candidates Jim Webb and Martin O’Malley touted their support for ag and energy yesterday during their speeches from the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. They have some fundamental issues in common, including the need for better education and to bring the American dream back to Americans through a stronger economy and better wages. …
Huckabee Gets His #Pork On at Iowa State Fair
Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey is encouraging everyone, including presidential candidates, to #GetYourAgOn at the Iowa State Fair. Well Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 winner of the Iowa Republican Caucuses, is definitely getting his #GetYourAgOn with his love of pork. He kicked off his Des Moines Register Presidential Soapbox speech saying, “Porkchop on a stick. …
Iowa State Fairgoers Revved up by Prez George Washington
When George Washington was a young boy, he had dreams of the seas, not dreams of the farm. But today, he said, nothing gives him greater pleasure than the fruits of his farm. While in Iowa, he visited a farm where they raised sheep and pork and noted that until he came to Iowa, he had never heard of soybeans. …
Prez Candidate Rand Paul: Stop EPA Farmland Grab
Republican Presidential Candidate and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is kicking off his first Iowa radio campaign ad “decrying the Obama Administration’s land grab of Iowa farmland”. The radio ad will be heard on farm radio stations. The ad is focused on the Waters of the US legislation and highlights the devastating consequences of the new regulation. “In Washington, DC, President …
Pope Francis Calls for Better Care of Our Home
Pope Francis is calling on humankind to take better care of our home. The Pope, like those before him, has been vocal about climate change and the role humans have played. In LAUDATO SI’ On Care of Our Common Home, Pope Francis writes that our lifestyle of a “throw-away” society – consumption and waste – must change or humans will …
Our Barn Door is Open
“If we don’t tell our farmer story then someone else will,” said Erin Brennemen, Iowa pork producer during the panel discussion “Our Barn Door is Open,” that took place during the 2015 World Pork Expo (#WPX15). The #RealPigFarming panel was hosted by the National Pork Board (NPB) and moderated by outgoing vice president Brad Greenway, a South Dakota pork producer. …
West Central Adding Value to Soybeans
West Central’s announcement that they are kicking off a $27 million expansion is adding value said Grant Kimberley, executive director of Iowa Biodiesel Board during West Central’s event to announce the new project. Kimberley noted that Iowa is the leading producing of soybeans – more than 500 million bushels per year. “It’s all about value-added agriculture and being able to …