Rural Matters: Deep Dive-Landus Political Action Committee

An important piece of successful policy advocacy is electing strong leaders that understand and support your critical issues. That is why Landus not only has representation on your behalf at the state and national capitol, but also operates a political action committee. In fact, our PAC is older than Landus itself, as we continued the work of the committee initially established by West Central, and restructured it under the Landus name as part of the 2016 merger. Throughout this week's post we will cover some of the most common questions about the political giving, political fundraising, different rules and regulations, and the governance of the Landus PAC.

What is a PAC?

Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations that fundraise from members (Landus staff and Landus farmer members) and donate those funds to federal, state, and local candidates and political campaigns, subject to federal rules and regulations. The Landus PAC plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of farmers and the agricultural community by helping support those candidates that have supported us.

Why do we have a PAC?

The agricultural sector faces numerous challenges, including fluctuating market prices, climate change, labor shortages, and regulatory pressures. The Landus PAC works to address these issues by supporting candidates at the federal and state level who understand and prioritize agricultural policies. By pooling resources, the PAC can amplify the voices of individual farmers, ensuring that their concerns are heard at the highest levels of government.

Supporting candidates who are favorable to agriculture is essential because these policymakers can influence legislation that directly impacts farming operations. For instance, they can advocate for fair trade policies, subsidies, and research funding that benefit the agricultural sector. Therefore, having representatives who are committed to these goals is crucial for the sustainability and growth of agriculture.

Where does the PAC money come from?

As a federal PAC, Landus must adhere to strict fundraising and donation limits, as well as operational guidelines, and regular reporting set by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). These rules are designed to prevent undue influence and ensure transparency in the political process. Here are some key points:

• PAC dollars are NOT cooperative dollars, they are entirely voluntary donations from employees and farmer members.
• Individuals can give no more than $5,000 to the PAC per year.
• PAC can give no more than $5,000 per candidate or political organization per election. (Note: during the 2024 election cycle the Landus contribution to candidates ranged from $250-$2,000).
• All financial activity of the PAC (both incoming and outgoing of funds) is publicly available through the regular disclosure reports filed with the FEC and Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

How and Who determines which candidates receive PAC funds?

Distribution of PAC funds is overseen by the Landus PAC committee, which consists of at least three members (at least two members from the Landus board and at least one senior executive Landus staff). Every attempt is made to ensure political balance is reflected in PAC committee members, and the PAC makes efforts to ensure they are supporting candidates from both parties- this does not mean that distribution of resources between parties will be equal. The Landus External Affairs team pulls together a proposed contribution outline based on fund balance, and the committee reviews each proposed contribution, with a majority vote required to make a distribution of funds. Decisions of the PAC must be made on objective criteria, such as votes, legislative activities, engagement with Landus events and members, committed policy stances, and more.

The PAC does not evaluate a challenger vs. challenger, instead they look at each candidate individually on their credentials to receive Landus PAC support. As such, moving forward it could be possible for the Landus PAC to support candidates on both sides of the ballot in a single race, assuming they are BOTH demonstrating the level of support for Landus priorities and activities.

It is important to note that due to the limited funds available this cycle, only incumbents (candidates that have already held public office with a voting and engagement record) were considered by the PAC Committee. This is something we will be reviewing for future election cycles to ensure we are outreaching to new individuals as well that are seeking public office. Additionally, the PAC did not engage in local races, such as county supervisor or city council, but may expanding into those in the future as well.

Why Support the Landus PAC?

Supporting the Landus PAC is an investment in the future of agriculture. By contributing to the PAC, members help elect candidates who will fight for policies that benefit Landus farmers and the rural communities we call home. Moreover, the Landus PAC helps to educate policymakers about the unique challenges faced by the agricultural sector. This education is crucial for developing informed policies that support the industry’s growth and sustainability.

We make every effort to distribute PAC contributions to candidates in-person to ensure further our team's relationship with these candidates. The photos in this article showcase some of those check deliveries that have taken place throughout this fall, but are not indicative of the full list of candidates that received Landus support this cycle. If you have any further questions about the Landus PAC or feedback to share with the PAC Committee, please reach out to Elizabeth Burns-Thompson.