Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Tuesday announced plans to introduce the first-ever Iowa Farm Act during the 2026 legislative session. Naig’s bill is a comprehensive package aimed at strengthening agriculture, supporting farmers and rural communities, and positioning the state’s top industry for long-term success. Naig says his proposal reflects priorities raised directly by farmers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders across Iowa. The package would expand economic opportunities through value-added programing, deliver targeted tax relief for a struggling ag industry, support beginning farmers and the agricultural workforce via expanded capital access, strengthen biosecurity and foreign animal disease response through additional funding and research, and modernize state government operations. The plan also includes measures to modernize farm zoning exemptions, strengthen agritourism, expand local food markets, and provide tax relief related to farm succession, grain handling, beekeeping and fuel storage. Naig’s Iowa Farm Act has garnered support across the industry, including the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, among others. Naig says he looks forward to working with the Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds to advance the proposal during the 2026 session.
