Agriculture

Iowa has an economy similar to that of third world countries. We have a raw product, which a manufacturer extracts, and resells at prices not resembling those which they paid farmers for the raw material. I once heard that in a $4.00 box of corn cereal the corn farmer gets $0.10 for the primary ingredient!

	Iowa must attract value-added agricultural manufacturing. If we do not, farm communities economies will continue to suffer. As communities, we rightfully fight against beef and pork processing facilities because these industries bring unwanted environmental hazards. Promises of good jobs have proven to be empty promises, replaced instead by skyrocketing crime and unpleasant environments.
Aerial photo copyrighted 1999 by Captain Jack

Adding value to our raw materials here in Iowa is critical to our economic success, so turning away these businesses is not an option. We would all prefer "cleaner" ethanol, soy diesel or sweetener agribusiness production. But meat processing plants will locate somewhere - the question is which states tax base will they improve? Has anyone explored the possibility of establishing an industrial processing park in one of Iowa's vast open areas?

There are places in Iowa where an agricultural business park could be established. Where many different processing facilities could locate their businesses together. An effective location would take advantage of existing supply, be far away from rivers and shallow water tables, and be between many communities.

These businesses could benefit by pooling their resources and utilizing economies of scale to create otherwise cost prohibitive waste disposal systems, and state of the art infrastructure (water, electric, transportation). When located between many communities, the negative effects on a single small community would be minimized. The plants close physical proximity's would also increase the ability of Iowa's inspectors to do regular and thorough environmental compliance inspections.