ANKENY, Iowa —

Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, said Iowa farmers are “hurting” and that the “status quo is not working” as he offered farm policies he would push for if elected to the U.S. Senate.

Scholten’s policies, discussed Monday at Griffieon Family Farm outside of Ankeny, are aimed at improving competition in the agriculture sector, funding conservation efforts and supporting regional food systems.

The agriculture sector is in a recession even “before tariffs — this is just the way the industry is working right now,” Scholten said.

According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysi s, real gross domestic product declined in Iowa by 6.1% in the first quarter of 2025, and agriculture was the leading contributor to the decline.

Scholten said consolidation in the marke

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