As the Iowa Legislature begins work on the 2026 session, agriculture and agribusiness are once again front and center in policy discussions at the Statehouse. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa states that several proposals this year could directly impact investment decisions, regulatory certainty, and the way businesses operate across rural Iowa.
Julie Kenney, CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, says one of the group’s top priorities is the Iowa Farm Act, a proposal she describes as the result of collaboration between farm groups and agribusiness leaders across the state.
The Iowa Farm Act affects several areas, but one key focus for agribusinesses involves infrastructure investment and how property is treated at the county level. Kenney says differences in interpretation and enforcement from one county to the next have created uncertainty for businesses trying to plan ahead.
Beyond tax and infrastructure issues, the Agribusiness Association is also closely following legislation dealing with pesticide labeling and regulatory authority. The issue has been discussed for several years and remains a priority for both agribusinesses and farmers heading into this session.
Kenney says providing regulatory clarity is critical to ensuring farmers and agribusinesses continue to have access to crop protection tools while operating under clear and consistent rules. She adds that while similar legislation advanced last year, the association is hopeful 2026 will be the year it moves across the finish line.
As lawmakers work through the session, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa says the decisions made this year could shape how agriculture grows and invests across the state in the years ahead.
