Soybean farmers set 2026 legislative priorities

January 15, 2026 | Brock Johnston

Iowa soybean farmers are looking to the Statehouse with optimism and resolve as the 2026 Iowa Legislative session kicked off earlier this week in Des Moines. Facing growing uncertainty in global markets, input costs and regulatory pressures, farmers are uniting around clear policy priorities that support stability, innovation and long-term viability for Iowa agriculture.

Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer leaders say thoughtful, farmer-focused policymaking will be key to strengthening the industry in the year ahead.

“The beginning of a new legislative session brings new opportunities for Iowa soybean farmers,” says Tom Adam, ISA president and soybean farmer near Harper. “Grassroots engagement is at the core of ISA's advocacy efforts and is key to making sure our voice is heard and represented at the Capitol. With growing uncertainty in the soybean industry, staying engaged is more important than ever.”

Notable ISA priorities during this year's legislative session include:

Crop protection tool labeling

Supporting consistency and clarity in pesticide labeling. Once a product has undergone the rigorous scientific review process and is issued a registration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the approved label should be consistent from state-to-state regarding health and safety information and should satisfy state-level notice requirements.

Property taxes

Support tax policies that keep Iowa producers competitive and encourage productive land use for agriculture. This includes eliminating the property tax exemption for forest and fruit tree reservations. ISA is opposed to shifting the tax burden from exempt landowners to those in the rest of the county.

Food ingredient bans

ISA supports the use of locally produced vegetable oils made from Midwest-grown crops, offering consumers a proven healthy, safe and affordable choice.

Conservation

Supporting voluntary conservation programs designed to benefit farmers and the environment.

Building a roadmap

“As we continue to work on policy impacting Iowa farmers, we extend thanks to ISA Advocate members who are directly supporting these efforts and keeping ISA's priorities top of mind with key decision makers on behalf of the soybean farmer,” adds Adam.

Farmer delegates from each of Iowa's nine crop districts met in December to adopt ISA's Policy Resolutions document for 2026. The document serves as an advocacy roadmap for soybean farmers and staff. Guiding principles are affirmed pertaining to conservation, trade, biofuels, biotechnology and a host of other soybean-related topics.

To learn more about ISA Advocate Membership or the association's legislative priorities, click here.

Written by Brock Johnston

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