The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation has outlined its legislative agenda for the 2026 session, focusing on property tax relief, water quality funding and protections for landowners whose underground natural resources are extracted.
The state’s largest grassroots farm organization developed its priorities through input from members across all 100 county Farm Bureaus over the past year.
The federation will advocate for tax policies supporting farmers and rural communities, particularly property tax relief across all property classes including agricultural land. Rising property taxes have placed increasing financial burdens on Iowa farmers, according to the Farm Bureau.
IFBF also will push for continued state funding of water quality and soil conservation programs. Iowa farmers planted more than 3.8 million acres of cover crops in 2024, a 90% increase from the previous five years. The cover crops hold soil in place and prevent runoff.
Cost-share funding has helped Iowa farmers restore more than 416,000 acres of wetlands and construct nearly 140 new water quality wetlands, which can reduce nitrate runoff by up to 90%, according to the federation.
The organization also will seek updated laws to protect landowners when underground natural resources are extracted. The possible extraction of naturally occurring hydrogen has potential benefits for landowners, agriculture and the state’s economy, but requires changes to current law, according to IFBF.
“Agriculture is essential to Iowa, responsible for one in five jobs, but we’re at a critical time right now as farmers face several challenges,” Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said in a release. “We look forward to working with lawmakers and Governor Reynolds to advance policies supporting the vitality of Iowa agriculture and our rural communities.”
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation represents farm families across Iowa and is marking its 100th year.
