Sioux City Times

President Trump has taken several actions aimed at supporting Iowa farmers, according to U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Sioux City), who represents Iowa’s 4th district in Congress. Feenstra, who serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, highlighted recent policy decisions that he says will benefit agriculture in his state.

One of the key developments is the addition of phosphate and potash to the federal Critical Minerals List by President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Feenstra stated, “This is a request that I helped lead to ensure that our farmers have access to the affordable inputs they need to feed and fuel our country and the world.” He explained that including these minerals will help lower input costs, increase domestic production, and reduce reliance on foreign sources for fertilizer components.

Trade agreements are another area where Feenstra credits President Trump with delivering results for Iowa’s agricultural sector. According to Feenstra, China has agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans immediately and an additional 25 million metric tons annually. Bangladesh has also committed to buying $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans. Other deals include Japan purchasing $8 billion in U.S. agricultural goods, Taiwan buying $10 billion worth of farm products—including Iowa corn and soybeans—and the United Kingdom agreeing to buy $750 million in ethanol and $250 million in beef from the United States. Vietnam will also buy $800 million in Iowa agricultural products.

Feenstra pointed out tax changes under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts as further support for farmers: “We increased the death tax exemption to $15 million, doubled 179 expensing to help farmers finance equipment purchases, and made permanent the 20% deduction on qualified business income for family farms and small businesses.” Additional measures include making crop insurance more affordable at higher coverage levels, raising reference prices for corn from $3.70 to $4.10 per bushel and for soybeans from $8.40 to $10 per bushel, as well as investing in foreign animal disease prevention.

Feenstra concluded by expressing gratitude for these efforts: “I’m truly grateful to President Trump for supporting Iowa farmers and the American heartland, and I am eager to see all that we can continue to achieve for our farming and rural communities.”

Randy Feenstra has represented Iowa’s 4th District in Congress since 2021 after replacing Steve King. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Iowa Senate from 2009 until 2021 (https://feenstra.house.gov/about). Born in Hull, Iowa in 1969, Feenstra graduated from Dordt University with a BA in 1991 (https://www.congress.gov/member/randy-feenstra/F000446).