Iowa Farmers Union Annual Convention Forum

 
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Friday, December 6, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hotel Grinnell in Grinnell, IA.

6 CANDIDATES: Booker, Buttigieg, Delaney, Klobuchar, Sanders, Steyer.

Background:  Each candidate was on stage for about half an hour.  Aaron Lehman, IFU President, and Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President, moderated.  There were several changes to the lineup.  Bullock had been scheduled to participate but dropped out of the race on Dec. 1; Castro was initially confirmed but did not participate; Buttigieg was a late addition.  Iowa Farmers Union also put on a very early multi-candidate forum ("Heartland Forum") eight months ago on March 30 in Storm Lake.
   
Iowa Farmers Union
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2019
Contact: Christina Dexter

5 Democratic presidential candidates confirmed for forum on agriculture issues

Nevada, IA – Five Democratic presidential candidates have confirmed their participation in a forum focusing on issues relevant to family farmers and rural communities at the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) Annual Convention.

The ‘Candidate Conversations’ forum is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6, 3:00 p.m. at the Hotel Grinnell in Grinnell, IA.  The forum immediately follows the keynote address by Lori Wallach, Director of Global Trade Watch.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring presidential candidates and our members together,” said Aaron Lehman, IFU President. “Time are tough in the rural Iowa and it’s important that candidates connect with farmers and rural residents on the issues that are vital to the survival of family farms, sustainable agriculture, and rural communities.”

The forum will be moderated by Aaron Lehman, IFU President and Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask presidential candidates about the issues impacting them and the rural communities they live in the most.
 
“Rural America is at risk,” said Lehman.  “Farmers are hit hard by needless trade disputes, attacks on ethanol, massive agribusiness consolidation and the growing impact of climate change. Our members have the best perspective to ask important questions about the candidates’ vision for a better agriculture.”

Confirmed presidential candidates include:
  • Steve Bullock, Governor and former Attorney General of Montana 
  • Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
  • John Delaney, Former Member of the United States House of Representatives 
  • Bernie Sanders, United States Senator 
  • Tom Steyer, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Admission to the forum is included in convention registration for IFU members and is $35 for non-members. A fundraising reception will directly follow the event with proceeds supporting the IFU Education Foundation.  For more information or to purchase tickets,
visit https://iowafarmersunion.org/annual-convention/.

Members of the press wishing to attend the forum should obtain credentials by contacting Christina Dexter at 816.738.5402 or cmdexter@iowafarmersunion.org.

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About IFU
Since 1915, Iowa Farmers Union members have worked together to strengthen the independent family farm through education, legislation and cooperation and to provide Iowans with sustainable production, safe food, a clean environment and healthy communities. IFU is a grassroots member organization of family farmers and ranchers, advocates, and consumers committed to promoting family agriculture in Iowa. The key to our success is our grassroots structure, with policy positions and priorities initiated and approved by our members.