DES MOINES, IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds today signed an official proclamation declaring the week of March 21 through 27, 2022, as Agriculture Innovation Week in Iowa.
The proclamation recognizes Iowa’s leadership role in agriculture and the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that drives the agriculture industry, rural communities and farm families around the state. It The proclamation also recognizes the leadership of Iowa farm families in adopting new technologies and management practices to produce food, fuel and other products more efficiently and sustainably than ever before.
Agriculture Innovation Week also recognizes the celebration of National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy. Iowa’s innovative farmers and robust agribusinesses are increasing productivity, improving soil health and water quality through technology and conservation practices,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Ingenuity and agriculture go hand-in-hand. We’re modernizing our ag infrastructure and supporting entrepreneurial opportunities in our rural communities. That’s how Iowa is and will remain a leader in feeding and fueling the world.”
Iowa’s agriculture industry includes global leaders in all sectors — advanced manufacturing, agricultural processing, animal health, plant sciences, predictive agriculture, renewable fuels, and more — as well as start-up companies with new technologies that will boost productivity, animal care and sustainability for farmers in Iowa and around the world.
“Iowa continues to lead, not only in agricultural production, but also in innovation. When we face challenges, we develop solutions to enhance the sustainability, productivity and efficiency of our agriculture community,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “No other state has the strength of established industry leaders, growing startup ecosystem, forward-thinking farmers and world-class research and land grant universities that we do.”
“Iowa is where the world’s agricultural leaders come to connect, collaborate and solve some of the most challenging issues in agriculture today,” said Billi Hunt, executive director of America’s Cultivation Corridor. “Developing new innovations and technologies is just the first step; connecting with researchers, leaders and farmers around the world to bring those advancements to the market is critical to achieving our goals.”
The proclamation was signed at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. In addition to staff of the Cultivation Corridor, agribusiness professionals and representatives of Iowa’s start-up and entrepreneur ecosystem attended the signing.
About America’s Cultivation Corridor
Focused on further developing and marketing the world-renowned agricultural and bioscience economy in Iowa, America’s Cultivation Corridor is building on a rich history of innovation to accelerate value-added agriculture business development by attracting companies, talent and capital from across the globe to the state. Representing a diverse public-private coalition of stakeholders including the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Iowa State University, nonprofits and private sector companies from across the region and state, the Cultivation Corridor is one of the nation’s foremost cluster-based economic development organizations. For more information, visit CultivationCorridor.org.
Contact
Billi Hunt, executive director
bhunt@cultivationcorridor.org
515-294-1127 or 515-480-2394
Published March 2022.