Dave Muhlbauer Attends Iowa Farmers Union Barn Party, Speaks About Worsening Farm Economy

ELKHART, IA – On Saturday, nominee for lieutenant governor Dave Muhlbauer joined the Iowa Farmers Union for their annual Barn Party to listen to farmers about their concerns, speak about the worsening farm economy, and take unscripted questions from the audience. Dave also discussed how a Sand-Muhlbauer administration would support farmers, highlighting how they are the backbone of Iowa’s economy and, as a fifth-generation family farmer, how he understands their challenges better than most.

A new report from Iowa State University, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Bankers Association showed that farm incomes fell 53% over three years. This comes after another recent report from the National Corn Growers Association that found American farmers are paying significantly more than their global competitors for seed, crop protection products, and other supplies needed to grow crops. Farmers are expecting a fourth straight year of losses, and family farm bankruptcies have hit a six-year high. Farmers are getting squeezed on all sides, but Rob Sand and Dave Muhlbauer will work as hard as they do to support farmers across the state, because they know a strong Iowa starts with a strong farm economy.

Read more about Dave’s remarks below:

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Democratic candidates focus on ag future at Iowa Farmers Union forum

Nearly 100 Iowa Farmers Union members from across the state came out Saturday to learn how several Iowa Democratic candidates plan on leading change — especially for the ag industry and the struggling farm economy.
Dave Muhlbauer, a fifth-generation farmer from Manila, Iowa, running for lieutenant governor on Democrat Rob Sand’s ticket, said he has prioritized agriculture and rural communities as part of his campaign.
“If it’s a good idea, it doesn’t matter where it comes from,” Muhlbauer said. “It’s not right versus left but right versus wrong and we’re going in the wrong direction. I gotta say, people are very frustrated and upset with the direction of our state.”
Muhlbauer said many farmers are facing a fourth consecutive year of losses and last April farm bankruptcies hit a six-year high. He cited a recent report that found farm incomes have dropped 53% in the last three years. He said causes include the tariffs and high input prices like fuel and fertilizer as a result of the ongoing Iran conflict.
“This isn’t sustainable to our family farms and it’s further driving our state economy into the ditch,” Muhlbauer said. “You know, I’m a farmer. I’m a real farmer. That’s my livelihood and what I’ve done all my life, so I think it’s fitting for me to say it’s time to rotate crops.”

WHO 13: Iowa candidates address farmer concerns at Iowa Farmers Union Barn Party

The Iowa Farmers Union hosted its Barn Party Saturday night at the Big Oak Bark near Elkhart.
Muhlbauer grew up on a family farm and now operates a farming operation himself. He said the landscape of farming has greatly changed over the past few years.
“Last April, farm bankruptcies hit a six-year high,” Muhlbauer said. “This isn’t sustainable for our family farms, and it’s further driving our state economy in the ditch. People I talk to, they’re frustrated. They see who our current elected officials are serving: powerful insiders and special interests.”