Ernst: ‘Strong ag trade’ means growth for Iowa, America

Agricultural exports and market access are critical for Iowa’s economy, said U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) during a recent hearing held by the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.

The senator touted agriculture in her home state, which in 2021 exported $14.3 billion in agriculture commodities, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the top three exports being soybeans ($3.7 billion), corn ($3.1 billion), and pork ($2.7 billion).

“The continued success and growth of Iowa, and the American agricultural industry, is dependent on strong trade,” said Sen. Ernst during the Feb. 1 hearing titled “Farm Bill 2023: Trade and Horticulture.”

Sen. Ernst also discussed the bipartisan Expanding Agricultural Exports Act, S. 176, which she introduced on Jan. 31 as the lead original cosponsor alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

If enacted, S. 176 would extend and expand the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program at USDA. The FMD Program, also known as the Cooperator Program, helps create, expand, and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products, while through MAP the federal government partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities.

“The MAP and FMD programs help ensure Iowa farmers have strong commodity markets and export opportunities, adding value to farmers’ bottom line and our state’s economy,” Sen. Ernst said during the hearing, which also included testimony from USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor.

Several state-wide agriculture leaders support Sen. Ernst’s effort to expand the MAP and FMD programs, including the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and the Iowa Soybean Association.