Rural Matters: Change May Be the Theme

Change may be the theme of all things policy in 2025—gradual change, needed change, and radical change. Rural Matters will watch and weigh in on these changes.

One of the changes is me—I am your new, but familiar, past voice in Rural Matters. I’m Sue Tronchetti, a Landus farmer member and past Landus Board member. Since becoming a Landus employee, I have held roles in External Affairs, Innovation, and Sustainability, and now I am back to serving as VP of External Affairs. What an interesting time to be involved in policy! Here are some of the areas I will be following for Landus members:

91st Iowa Legislative Session

The 91st Iowa legislative session will include bills on:

• Grain Indemnity Fund – An attempt to modernize and re-evaluate what types of grain contracts will be insured by the fund and at what dollar values.
• Property Tax Reform – A priority mentioned by Governor Reynolds in her Condition of the State address.
• Electric Power Costs and Regulation –A movement by businesses and individuals to hold utility monopolies accountable for future electrical projects and the costs passed on to users in the form of Integrated Resource Planning.
• Eminent Domain and Property Rights –Legislative efforts to protect property rights against private, for-profit projects.

Federal Level

At the federal level, the Trump administration is off to a dizzying start! Several important areas will impact agriculture:

1. Tax Renewals – The renewal of the 2017 Trump individual and estate tax provisions legislation, along with 199A deductions. This critical agricultural tax legislation is set to expire in 2025 without renewal.
2. Biofuels Legislation – 45V Hydrogen and green ammonia, along with 45Z final rules.
3. Farm Bill Passage
4. Trade and Tariffs
5. Immigration and Its Effects on Agricultural Labor
6. Budget Reconciliation

Rural Level

At the rural level, the effects of all the above policy work are being felt every day in our communities. Some of the key issues include:

1. Individual County EMS Legislation
2. Shortages in Legal and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas
3. Childcare Shortages
4. Housing Shortages
5. Mental Health Issues and Lack of Facilities to Care for Individuals

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Just like the policy work in your local county, Iowa, or Washington, D.C., I want to encourage Landus policy activities to be interactive. What are your priorities and needs? Let’s work together on Rural Matters.

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Reach out to me at sue.tronchetti@landus.ag or 515-370-0232.

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