11/19/97

Contacts:
Craig Hill, Iowa AgState chair, 515/961-5286
Keith Heffernan, CARD assistant director, 515/294-0670
Susan Anderson, ISU Agriculture Information, 515/294-0705

NEW GROUP DEVELOPS VISION FOR IOWA AGRICULTURE

A think tank made up of representatives from all sectors of Iowa agriculture has developed a strategic plan for the future of Iowa's agriculture industry.

"The important impact agriculture has on Iowa's economy is well known, but there are many who believe the industry is not realizing its full potential," said Craig Hill, a farmer from Milo who chaired the Iowa AgState Group.

The Iowa AgState Group was formed in the spring of 1997. AgState is an acronym for "Agricultural Strategic Thinkers Acting Together Effectively."

"We wanted to outline the challenges facing our industry, identify growth areas, and make recommendations to help bring greater prosperity to all of Iowa by building on our already-strong agricultural base," he said.

The group adopted vision and mission statements, plus goals and objectives in five key areas. The vision statement says the group wants to "empower Iowans to lead the world in responsibly-produced food and agricultural products to not only meet, but exceed, the demands of our customers."

The five goals adopted by the group are:

• to expand opportunities for Iowa by adding value to Iowa's agricultural commodities, increasing exports of Iowa's agricultural products and increasing consumer confidence in the quality of Iowa's food.
• to maintain and encourage agriculture's commitment to environmental stewardship.
• to create a new, positive attitude among both producers and consumers about the future of Iowa agriculture.
• to have Iowans consider new types of business structures where they can work cooperatively to improve profitability.
• to make the necessary changes in tax policy or capital access conditions that will encourage expanded investment in Iowa agriculture.

Hill said the group's work complements other efforts underway in Iowa, including the Ag Initiative 2000 project and the Ag Value Growth Foundation. "We see the Iowa AgState group providing the grassroots link from Iowa's agriculture industry to these other initiatives," he said.

The group's report was unveiled to the boards of directors of participating organizations at a meeting at Iowa State University Nov. 18. "Each of the participating organizations will use this report as they develop policies and establish priorities," Hill said. He said it also may serve as a guide as Iowa legislators and other policymakers look at changes in laws or regulations that would help make the goals and objectives in the report a reality.

The Iowa AgState Group includes representatives from the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Dairy Products Association, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa State University and the Iowa Turkey Federation.

The ISU Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) and the ISU agricultural economics department provided administrative support for the effort.

The group held 11 day-long meetings, hearing from 23 experts on a variety of topics, before developing its report.

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