URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) has joined forces with others across the country to endorse a bold new proposal: 25x’25. The goal is to have America’s farms, ranches, forests and other working lands provide 25 percent of America’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.

“It’s time to come together and work on bringing this idea to life,” says Ron Heck, ISA board member and member of the 25x’25 steering committee. “This is the best opportunity agriculture has ever had to reach out to new domestic markets while reducing our dependency on foreign fuel, improving national security, and enhancing rural economies.”

The 25x’25 proposal has dramatically expanded in scope and size since its start in 2004 by a group of agricultural leaders. Joined in their concern for the growing energy challenges facing the U.S., these leaders concluded that the farming and forestry communities could offer practical solutions. Since then, the proposal has grown to include the environmental, religious, labor, conservation, energy, and business communities.

Today, the momentum continues to build. The 25x’25 goal has been endorsed by the governors of 14 states, Iowa included, state legislatures in four states, and more than 200 organizations and businesses from around the U.S., including ISA.

Efforts are currently centered on making 25x’25 a national goal and building a union of at least 20 states. By endorsing 25x’25, ISA has committed to helping expand support for renewable energy resources like wind, solar, and biofuels and developing a plan to achieve the 25x’25 goal.

To learn more about 25x’25, visit www.25x25.org or contact Carol Balvanz, ISA director of producer services and public policy, at 1-800-383-1423.