Des Moines Sun

Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, together with Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, Randy Feenstra, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, have formally requested that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins consider relocating Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames, Iowa. This request comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues its reorganization efforts.

Ames is home to one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside Washington, D.C., according to the group. They argue that moving ARS projects to Ames would provide benefits for farmers, producers, and families across the country.

"Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa leads the nation in production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels and more. Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers," they wrote.

The lawmakers highlighted that research at Maryland’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center overlaps with ongoing work at ISU and local ARS units in areas such as soybean genomics and animal biosciences. "Many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center [located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.] align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service’s efforts, including soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems and bee research," they continued.

They also noted that Iowa's grocery prices are among the lowest in the nation while its average cost of living is significantly below the national average—factors that could benefit USDA employees who might relocate to Ames.

"As the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency. We...urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa’s fields to benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide," they concluded.

Iowa also leads all states in egg production each year.