Chris Jones: Iowa Food System Candidate Conversation

The Iowa Food System Coalition sat down with Chris Jones, Candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, as part of our 2026 Candidate Engagement Series. The series gives candidates an opportunity to talk directly with Iowans about the food and farm issues shaping our state, including agriculture, local food markets, land and water, food access, public health, rural communities, and the future of Iowa’s food system. IFSC invited candidates for Governor, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, all four U.S. House districts, and Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat to participate in recorded conversations. These conversations are intended to help Iowans hear directly from candidates and decide for themselves where they stand on the issues that matter to them. The Iowa Food System Coalition is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. Topics discussed in this discussion: Beginning farmer land access, ethanol and farmland values, corn and soybean subsidies, H-2A farm labor, pesticide drift, pesticide applicator fees, farmer compensation, local food funding, E15, Choose Iowa, food hubs, local food infrastructure, farm to school, Double Up Food Bucks, food deserts, water quality, cancer, Food Is Medicine.