What Iowa ag secretary candidates Mike Naig & John Norwood say about eminent domain, ethanol

Two candidates are competing to represent Iowa as agriculture secretary, leading the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which is responsible for managing land and helping farmers in the state.

Incumbent Republican Mike Naig is running against Democrat John Norwood, founder and managing director of TBL Ventures LLC, an investment banking and finance company.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, statewide and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Early voting begins Oct. 19 for the Nov. 8 election.

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Who is Mike Naig?

Age: 44

Party: Republican

Where did you grow up? Palo Alto County

Current town of residence: Urbandale

Education: Bachelor of arts in biology and political science, Buena Vista University

Occupation: Agriculture secretary, farmer

Political experience and civic activities: Secretary of agriculture since 2018

Who is John Norwood?

Age: 58

Party: Democrat

Where did you grow up? Boston

Current town of residence: West Des Moines

Education: Master of business administration in finance, Yale University; master in medical education in environmental management, sustainability and watershed hydrology, Yale; bachelor's degree in American history; minor in environmental studies, Williams College.

Occupation: Founder and managing director, TBL Ventures LLC.

Political experience and civic activities: Currently serving as Soil and Water Commissioner for Polk County; directory, Tri Valley Conservancy; board director, American Food Ventures Forum; board member, Ag Ventures AllianceEarthpark Development; VentureNet Iowa; business advisor — 10,000 Small Business Program, Goldman Sachs

What would be your top issue should you be elected?

Naig: As secretary, my top priority is to ensure that we have productive agriculture and keep it strong. Every Iowan benefits from strong agriculture. We do this by building additional markets for farmers internationally, domestically and locally, accelerating and scaling up our state’s water quality and soil health efforts, and ensuring the future remains bright for the next generation. Iowa is on the right track and we need to continue to ensure that we have the right conditions for success so our farms, families, and communities can continue to grow in all parts of the state.

Norwood: Water quality, soil health, poverty and hunger, and community health.

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In your view, how is Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy working? What action should the state take to encourage greater farmer adoption of practices that reduce runoff?

Naig: Since first being elected in 2018, I have made conservation a major priority in my administration. Prior to 2018, Iowa did not have a long-term, dedicated funding source for water quality infrastructure projects. Our team went to the Legislature to secure funding so we can scale up and make long-term investments that protect our state's natural resources. There has never been more work, more resources or more partners getting practices on the ground at any time in our state's history than there is today. We are accelerating our efforts to install nutrient-reducing wetlands, saturated buffers, and bioreactors and are setting records for conservation engagement every year.

Norwood: The annualized nitrate loading numbers are up 25% since its adoption in 2013. It’s clearly not working. The “strategy” is simply a menu of options. No metrics, no prioritization, no deadlines. The resources dedicated don’t begin to match the challenge — 23 million acres of row crop ground worth $350 billion. The financial modeling underweighted green infrastructure like wetlands which provide water filtration and habitat. Iowa needs a comprehensive NUTRIENT and BIOLOGICAL systems plan building off the “batch and build” model of saturated buffers which I visioned and led as a Soil & Water commissioner for Polk County.

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As more Americans buy electric vehicles, what do you believe is the long-term future of Iowa’s ethanol industry?

Naig: Iowa's renewable fuel industry is critical to farmers, our economy and our rural communities. Under no circumstances will I abandon this industry and the thousands of people they employ so we can rely on electric vehicles powered by Chinese-built battery parts. It's unfortunate that the Biden administration has made this a priority of his administration and has continuously ignored the lower cost, cleaner burning benefits of biofuels. Liquid fuels will continue to be a primary source of power for many decades and I will continue to do all I can to support Iowa's industry.

Norwood: America is at a new dawn for energy consumption and distribution. Ethanol successfully replaced two dirty fuel additives used previously in gasoline, MTBE and lead. But the world is rapidly moving to electric vehicles. There are two opportunities. The first is to position ethanol and biodiesel to serve harder to electrify transportation markets including railroads, planes, boats and trucks — 70 billion gallons annually. Congress could adopt a RFS 2.0 aimed at these markets. Second, the gas and electric grids heat, power and move America. Ethanol plants can be retrofitted to produce biogas from corn and hemp.

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Would you encourage Iowa farmers to diversify their crops?

Naig: We have diversity in Iowa agriculture. The issue is whether or not a market exists for things like specialty crops. That's why we are launching the Choose Iowa program to increase the visibility of Iowa grown and raised products like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy to consumers. Establishing demand for these products will increase market opportunities for farmers. More Americans are looking to incorporate local foods in their diets, and the Choose Iowa program will help consumers identify those Iowa grown/raised products with a common brand whether you're at the farmers market, grocery store, or a restaurant.

Norwood: When we discuss crop diversification we are promoting healthy soil, food, people and communities. They’re all connected. Diverse crops support soil health, farm productivity, food security, nutrient cycling, water management. Crop diversity helps drive system resiliency — critical to weathering floods and droughts. Diverse crops can support a new generation of farmers, many not from Iowa. To get to a better tomorrow, we need to encourage AND incentivize building new markets. This is where the Federal Farm Bill comes in coupled with an Iowa Farm Bill that I will lead as the next Secretary.

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What should the secretary of agriculture do to encourage better soil conservation practices?

Naig: Conservation must be balanced with being profitable so farmers can provide for their families. Farmers have a vested interest in protecting soil because their livelihood comes from it. They take pride in their farms and want to keep them productive for when they pass them on to the next generation. As we demonstrate the value of conservation, reduce barriers, unleash creativity, and increase the number of partners working on this, we will see even more progress.

Norwood: Encourage farmers AND landowners to conserve soil. Absentee landlords own 60% of Iowa’s farm ground. Who owns the soil? The landowners! Both the landlord and the tenant expect a financial return. The public has significant investments in this space. The Farm Bill should have standards that align public and private interests to ensure the long-term health of the land. This includes reform of how crop insurance operates so that 1) public money isn’t used to farm row crops in areas subject to excessive erosion or flooding; or 2) serve as a “bail out” to those who ignore soil health.

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What role should carbon capture pipelines play in Iowa’s agricultural economy, and do you support the use of eminent domain for pipeline projects?

Naig: The Secretary of Agriculture plays no role in this process, however, I hear from passionate people on both sides of this issue. Iowa landowners deserve developers to negotiate in good faith, answer their questions, address their concerns, and compensate fairly. Eminent domain should only be considered after a significant number of voluntary agreements are in place.

Norwood: I do NOT support eminent domain for pipelines. Common sense says these pipelines are not a public use. Instead of allowing condemnation, fairness requires annual payments for property owners who agree to pipeline easements, as we see with MidAmerican wind projects. Impacted counties should also receive annual payments for EMS upgrades to compensate for pipelines which carry a deadly liquid product. Finally, a fee should be assessed on each ton of CO2 exported that goes into a state fund that helps farmers rebuild soil health. The carbon belongs in our soils as organic matter.