(Middle River - KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says one reason he’s seeking re-election is to remind Iowans that agriculture remains a pillar of the state’s economy and will play an important role in Iowa’s future.
Naig has served as state ag secretary since March 2018. His opponent in this year’s election is Democrat Chris Jones, who has called the race a referendum on water quality. Speaking Wednesday to a group of farmers from the Marshalltown area, Naig offered this response.
Naig later told reporters the state’s approach to water-quality issues should be science-based.
Naig says 2018 marked the first time Iowa lawmakers identified a dedicated funding source for water-quality initiatives, but it wasn’t fully ramped up until 2021 and 2022.
Naig says that program is providing grants to farmers in 28 counties to restore pastures, and he’d like to expand it statewide to help build Iowa’s cattle herd.
He made campaign stops Wednesday at farms near Nevada, Marshalltown, and Coggin.
