(Dave Muhlbauer - Community First Broadcasting Staff Photo)Orange City, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Dave Muhlbauer says expanding grazing opportunities, supporting conservation practices, and directing more resources toward rural communities could help Iowa farmers navigate a difficult farm economy.
Muhlbauer, a fifth-generation family farmer and Crawford County supervisor running alongside gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, discussed several agriculture proposals during an interview with reporters on Sept. 22nd.
His family operation includes corn, soybeans, alfalfa, cover crops, hogs, and cattle. Muhlbauer said that experience gives him a firsthand understanding of the financial pressures facing producers.
Proposed Office Would Focus on Rural Prosperity
Muhlbauer highlighted the campaign’s proposed Office of Rural Prosperity, which he said would support agriculture and rural economic development.
He said the office would work directly with local governments, help beginning farmers identify additional revenue opportunities, and support economic growth in smaller communities.
He also said the proposal reflects the need to help producers find opportunities while recognizing the demands currently placed on them.
Muhlbauer said agriculture would be one of his priorities as lieutenant governor. He pointed to conversations he has had with producers, including one in Sanborn, about rotational grazing, local meat processing, and direct-to-consumer sales.
Expanding Grazing and Conservation Opportunities
Muhlbauer also pointed to proposals in the campaign’s “Healthier Iowa for All” plan, which he said could benefit both agriculture and water quality.
One proposal would help expand grazing on marginal or highly erodible ground, which Muhlbauer said could create additional opportunities for cattle producers and beginning farmers.
Muhlbauer also said the campaign supports expanding wetlands and providing additional flexibility for landowners whose property repeatedly floods.
Other proposals would encourage additional conservation practices through financial incentives.
Muhlbauer said he uses cover crops on his own farm, where they complement the family’s cow-calf operation. He said the family recently drilled cover crops after chopping silage.
He emphasized that farmers need dependable support to make those practices part of their operations. He said programs that are available one year but uncertain the next make planning more difficult.
He said the goal is to make conservation programs reliable tools that support farm operations while also improving water quality.
More from the Interview
Muhlbauer also discussed his family’s farming and public service background, strengthening communication between state and local governments, supporting public education, and ensuring accountability for public funds used for private school tuition assistance.
He also discussed working across party lines, drawing on his experience serving as the lone Democrat on the Crawford County Board of Supervisors alongside four Republicans.
