Iowa Stewardship Alliance

Iowans understand the responsibility bestowed upon them during the Iowa caucus process. They honor this privilege by asking those seeking the presidency hard questions about their vision for America. Caucus-goers are tasked with fleshing out candidates’ positions on the issues so important to our state, our nation and our world. It’s no light task, but it’s something, as Iowans, we must do.

With the caucus rapidly approaching, the field is beginning to get smaller, but the conversation between candidates and Iowans is beginning to broaden. We all agree the economy, national security and health care play significant roles in our everyday lives. The candidates understand the importance of these issues, and we have heard their positions since they first arrived following the 2012 elections.

The Iowa Stewardship Alliance has spent the last year talking with presidential candidates about issues that are similarly important, but sometimes detailed by the mainstream media with less vigor. These are issues such as using renewable energy to deliver energy independence, and refocusing on natural resources conservation and land stewardship to serve the waters and lands that provide us with our uniquely American bounty. As Ronald Reagan stated, “Our physical health, our social happiness, and our economic well-being will be sustained only by all of us working in partnership as thoughtful, effective stewards of our natural resources.”

The Iowa Stewardship Alliance, a non-profit organization comprised of Iowans, believes in common-sense solutions like wind and solar energy, which help provide jobs and invigorate our local economies with private money. We are proponents of clean air and clean water; and we encourage being good stewards of the land because, as every successful farmer knows, the land provides when we provide for the land.

Wind energy production in Iowa is a shining example of a partnership between innovative state policy and aggressive private investment. Recent data shows nearly 30 percent of all electricity generated in the state comes from wind turbines. As a share of our energy mix, Iowa gets more energy from wind than any other state in the nation. We boast more than 7,000 jobs created as a result of the wind energy. Iowans bring in more than $17 million annually in landowner lease payments. Its presence is also advantageous for our environment. Since wind energy does not require much water, energy production from wind projects saves an estimated 3.2 billion gallons of water annually that remains available to farmers and ducks and trout.

Now, we are poised to see more renewable energy growth as Iowa’s solar power industry is taking off. Today, farmers are using solar systems to dry their grain and power livestock buildings. Schools and municipal buildings are saving tax dollars by going solar, and businesses are increasing their bottom line by doing the same.

Iowa’s agriculture producers take great pride in their work. They understand the value of the soil in which they plant their crops, the air they breathe and the water that brings life to their farms.

We are proud stewards of the land and strong voices for voluntary conservation practices. We farm. We hunt. We fish. This is the life we learned from our fathers and mothers. It’s the life we want to give to our sons and daughters and to our grandchildren. It’s up to us to get out and ask questions of the candidates to ensure the candidates share this vision for our water, our land and our energy and our future.

There is so much at stake this caucus season. Stand up for Iowa. Speak up for your neighbors, your friends and our state’s future. After all, it is this 21st century way of forward-thinking that will inspire future generations to take care of our natural resources, create jobs and enhance economic development in an ever-changing energy marketplace, just as we are doing today.

Signed by Republicans Bob Rafferty, West Des Moines; Wayne Gieselman, Des Moines; Walt Tomenga, Rippey; Chris Lovell, Clear Lake; David Hance, Des Moines; Frances S. and H. Reed Doughty, LeClaire; and Brent Siegrist, Council Bluffs, members of the Iowa Stewardship Alliance. Contact: iowastewards.org