In Rural Iowa Stop, Feenstra Focuses on Agriculture, Taxes and Immigration

If no one funds local news, your community is just rumors. Help Decorah News bring facts home. OSSIAN, Iowa — Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Feenstra emphasized agriculture policy, immigration enforcement and tax reform during a campaign stop Wednesday morning in rural Winneshiek County, where he met with a dozen local farmers as part of his statewide tour. The event, held in the garage of a farm near Ossian, drew 12 attendees and featured a question-and-answer session on issues ranging from labor shortages to property taxes and rural infrastructure. Feenstra, who currently serves in Congress, framed Iowa's economy as deeply dependent on agriculture and rural communities, repeatedly stressing that farm success drives broader economic stability. "Agriculture is the backbone of our state," he said, adding that when farmers succeed, "our main streets will be successful, our schools will be successful, our hospitals are successful." Agriculture, trade and policy priorities Feenstra highlighted his work at the federal level, including his role on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he said he has been involved in tax, trade and health care policy affecting farmers. He pointed to ongoing efforts to expand export markets and expressed optimism about commodity prices tied to potential trade agreements. He also discussed provisions in a pending farm bill, including restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland and measures affecting livestock production. He outlined four broad priorities for Iowa: making the state more business- and agriculture-friendly, improving education, retaining young workers and expanding access to affordable health care. Immigration comments Immigration policy emerged as a central topic, particularly as farmers raised concerns about workforce shortages in agriculture and food processing. Feenstra said recent federal actions had effectively halted unauthorized immigration. "The great thing is, we shut down the border," he said. "There's no illegals coming anymore." Available federal data suggests the situation is more nuanced. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, migrants continue to be encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border each month, even as crossings have declined sharply from previous highs. About 6,100 encounters were recorded in January 2026, following roughly 6,478 in December 2025. Monthly totals since early 2025 have remained below 10,000—historically low levels, though not zero. Analysts note that while border enforcement has tightened significantly, including policies that have reduced the number of migrants released into the United States, those measures do not mean crossings have stopped entirely. Government reports citing "zero releases" refer to detention practices, not the absence of attempted or completed crossings. Feenstra said the next step should be creating a structured, employer-sponsored immigration system, arguing that businesses need access to legal workers. "We need a workforce," he said, adding that future policy should ensure migrants enter legally and are tied to specific employers. Property taxes and local concerns Attendees raised concerns about rising property taxes and the financial pressures facing rural counties. Feenstra argued that reforms to tax increment financing (TIF) districts could help reduce tax burdens by returning funds to general use once development projects are complete. He also cautioned against uniform statewide tax policies, saying rural and urban communities face different challenges. "You can't have a one-size-fits-all property tax system," he said, noting the need to maintain funding for essential services such as law enforcement, fire protection and road maintenance. Infrastructure and rural priorities Infrastructure funding was another major topic, with local officials and farmers pointing to the high cost of maintaining rural roads and bridges. Feenstra criticized federal spending priorities that he said favor urban projects over rural needs, calling for greater investment in basic infrastructure. Workforce retention and rural development Population decline and workforce retention were recurring themes during the discussion. Feenstra said keeping young people in Iowa is critical to the state's long-term economic health. "Our number one export is our kids," he said, emphasizing the need for stronger job opportunities and education pathways within the state. Attendees cited related challenges including housing shortages, rising home prices and limited access to child care in smaller communities. Education and health care Feenstra expressed support for school choice policies, including education savings accounts, while emphasizing that schools accepting public funding should serve all students. He also described rising health insurance costs as a major burden for rural residents and small businesses, attributing high prices in part to limited competition among providers. Campaign message Throughout the event, Feenstra framed his campaign as focused on maintaining Iowa's economic direction and avoiding policies he said could increase taxes or regulation. He also criticized some state spending decisions, particularly investments in urban projects, arguing that rural communities should receive greater attention. Closing the event, he returned to his central message about agriculture's role in the state's future. "When you're successful," he told the farmers gathered, "everything else follows." Fresh stories, delivered! 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