Jones wanting systematic changes to Iowa

Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture, Chris Jones, told attendees of the Iowa State Fair that systematic change rather than incremental fixes is the way to clear up waterways and improve other areas of Iowans’ lives.
Jones is wary of the “Band-Aid” approaches directed toward fixing Iowa’s environment and rural economy during his Des Moines Register Political Soapbox speech.

The “most important thing” Jones shares with individuals about creating a more resilient and thriving agriculture industry in Iowa, as well as Iowa’s water quality, is to broaden options for farm operations. Farmers need to grow more than just corn and soybeans but expand into fruits and vegetables, Jones said, as well as create more pastures for cattle in order to rebuild Iowa’s cattle industry. These practices would help with sustainability as well as diversify the agriculture economy in the state, he said.