(Council Bluffs, IA) Iowa agriculture advocate Monte Shaw announced the formation of his Iowa Agriculture Team, which includes key ag leaders from across the Iowa 3rd Congressional District. The support demonstrates Shaw’s unique understanding and leadership on agriculture issues and the broad support he has from Iowa’s agriculture community.
“It takes more than just great land and good weather to make Iowa the leading agricultural state – it takes great leaders,” Shaw said. “I am honored to have such an august group of ag leaders throw their wisdom and support behind me. As a farm boy, I’ve still got the dirt under my fingernails and with the help of these experts I will be up to speed on the challenges facing Iowa’s farmers. I also appreciate their willingness to take our message out to the countryside and the city. Folks connected to and interested in agriculture will play key roles on our path to victory in June and November.”
Members of the Iowans for Shaw Agriculture Team are:
Co-chair Kevin Ross of Underwood, IA, an Iowa farmer and member of the National Corn Growers Association Board of Directors. Ross is a 6th generation farmer in Southwest Iowa with over 500 acres of row crops, primarily corn and soybeans. He also runs cow-calf livestock operation. He is a past president and current board member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a past chair of the Iowa AgState initiative.
“I have known Monte and Tina for a number of years,” Ross said. “The passion they both have for good government combined with the Iowa values they represent make Monte a strong candidate for Congress. The past roles Monte’s had make me feel very comfortable that once in Washington he will be a strong voice for agriculture and Iowans. I believe he is ready for the job and look forward to him working there on our behalf.”
Co-chair Grant Kimberley of Ankeny, IA, an Iowa farmer and Iowa Soybean Association Executive. Kimberley, a 6th generation corn and soybean farmer, serves on the Polk County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Iowa Sister States Board of Directors, and travels internationally to promote Iowa and United States’ agriculture and export sales.
“In his work in the renewable fuels industry, Monte Shaw has been a champion for Iowa’s farmers,” Kimberley said. “Agriculture plays a vital role in the health of Iowa’s economy, whether its farmers raising crops for fuel, fiber or food or successful agribusinesses and manufacturers selling services and equipment. Monte has been around agriculture all his life. He understands the issues that are important to both rural and urban parts of the state. It’s a great combination that has much to offer.”
Duane Acker of Atlantic, IA, an Iowa farmer and founding board member of both the Iowa Egg Cooperative and the Iowa Agriculture Finance Corporation. He was a teacher at Iowa State University, Dean of Agriculture at South Dakota State, Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska, and the President of Kansas State University for 11 years. Additionally, he served in the United States Department of Agriculture as an administrator of the Foreign Agriculture Service and as Assistant Secretary for Science and Education.
Julius Schaaf of Randolph, IA is the Chair of the United States Grain Council and a 4thgeneration Fremont County soybean and corn farmer. He is a past chair of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the President of MAIZALL, an international corn alliance between producers in the United States, Argentina, and Brazil
David Sieck of Glenwood, IA is the Past President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. He is a 4th generation Iowa Farmer, a member of the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Farm Bureau, and a member of the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee.
Duane Aistrope of Randolph, IA is a 4th generation farmer and the Past President of the Fremont County Farm Bureau. He operates a corn, soybean, and cattle operation, serves as a member of the United States Grains Council and the Board of Directors for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
The affiliations provided are for identification purposes only.
In addition to support among Iowa agriculture leaders, Shaw has demonstrated considerable organizational strength. Shaw entered the race for Congress on February 4th and his campaign collected the 3000-plus nomination signatures in only 38 days. In addition to earning praise for his GOP county convention speeches and thoughtful approach to issues, Shaw has garnered the two biggest endorsements of the race so far. Former Congressman Greg Ganske has joined with Jon King, Congressman Steve King’s brother, to co-chair the Shaw campaign.
Shaw is Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and a former member of the Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee. He has managed a number of Iowa political campaigns, including Grassley for U.S. Senate and Elizabeth Dole for President. He also served as deputy national press secretary on the Steve Forbes presidential campaign in 2000 and as communications director for DC-based Renewable Fuels Association. Shaw, who grew up on a farm in Shenandoah, currently resides in West Des Moines with his wife, Tina, and their two children, Eden and Max.
For more details, visit www.IowansForShaw.com or Iowans for Shaw on Facebook.