Contact: Cassidy Walter
515-252-6249

JOHNSTON, IOWA – In recent weeks, the future of American biofuels has been at the forefront of national debate. Now the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is bringing that debate a little closer to home by hosting the Iowa Renewable Fuels Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Forum.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Forum will take place on May 17^th at North Iowa Area Community College. Questions will focus on renewable fuels and agriculture policy. It is a bipartisan forum that will feature all six leading candidates from both parties:

• Ray Gaesser (R), former Chairman and President of the American Soybean Association
• Tim Gannon (D), former Associate Administrator of the Risk Management Agency at USDA
• Chad Ingels (R), former Chair of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission
• Craig Lang (R), former President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
• Mike Naig (R), Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
• Dan Zumbach (R), Iowa State Senator

“Growing demand for ethanol and biodiesel is the fastest way to strengthen the economic outlook for Iowa farmers,” said IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke. “We look forward to hearing each of these candidates share their plans to brighten the future of biofuels here in Iowa and to address national challenges ranging from defending the Renewable Fuel Standard to expanding trade.”

The forum is free and open to the public. Event details include:

DATE:          Thursday, May 17, 2018

WHAT:         Iowa Renewable Fuels Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Forum

WHO:           All six Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidates

TIME:           6:30 p.m.      Forum seating begins

7:00 p.m.      Forum begins

LOCATION: North Iowa Area Community College

                         Stoltenberg Forum inside the Beem Center

500 College Dr., Mason City, IA 50401

RSVP:          The forum is free to attend and open to the public. Please RSVP to

Grant Menke at GMenke@IowaRFA.org.

A mult box, free wi-fi, and space for cameras will be provided for members of the media.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 4.4 billion gallons annually – including approximately 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 400 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

 

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