Denise O'Brien for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Background:

I have been an organic farmer and a farm activist for over 30 years. My husband and I ran a dairy for 20 of those 30 years. During this time I became involved in agriculture policy that promotes the family farm structure of agriculture. I helped start several progressive organizations to fight corporate ag. In the 1990's I started an organization Women, Food and Agriculture Network that supports women in farming. I have extensive experience in international trade policy, domestic ag policy and women's issues

Goals:

I believe that my experience of the past 30 years has prepared me to step forward to be a leader in Iowa agriculture. My goals are to work toward a more diverse agriculture and create more opportunites in farming. Industrial agriculture has a stranglehold on Iowa and prevents young farmers from entering agriculture. Other goals are to work on cleaning up the water in Iowa. Agriculture is a major cause of water pollution and farmers need to take responsibility to help clean up the water. Local economies is another goal. Iowa needs to keep more income in the state. Locally owned renewable energy is a way to achieve that.

Issues:

Clean water

Beginning farmer programs

Renewable energy

Grassroots Support:

I have been a a part of the grassroots movment fighting for the family farm structure of agriculture for 30 years. The grassroots network of sustainable and organic farmers is my community. My commitment is to the women of agriculture, those who own the land, farm the land and work on issues of food and the environment. My comfort zone is the grassroots.

DFA Values:

I have been a social progressive from the time I started to vote. I have often been out of sync with the mainstream politics because I don't believe the envelope is pushed hard enough. I support issues like fair trade, a woman's right to choose, sustainable and organic farming, a safe and healthy environment and renwable energy. My husband and I live as simply as possible and don't buy into the consumerism that is so prevelant in the United States.