Joined by Iowa Delegation and Governor Reynolds, Grassley Makes Pitch for USDA to Bring ARS Projects to Iowa Amid Department’s Ongoing Reorganization Program

Joined by Iowa Delegation and Governor Reynolds, Grassley Makes Pitch for USDA to Bring ARS Projects to Iowa Amid Department's Ongoing Reorganization Program

Iowa's leaders remind Secretary Rollins, "Iowa knows agriculture."

Listen to Grassley discussing the letter HERE

WASHINGTON - Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, are calling on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to relocate Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames as part of the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ongoing reorganization plan.

Ames currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington. The lawmakers and governor wrote the move would benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide.

"Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa leads the nation in production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels and more. Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers," they wrote.

"Many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center [located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.] align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service's efforts, including soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems and bee research," they continued.

Their letter notes grocery prices in Iowa are the second lowest in the nation and Iowa's average cost of living falls 10.3% below the national average, providing more affordable opportunities for USDA employees.

"As the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency. We...urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa's fields to benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide," they concluded.

Iowa also leads the nation in egg production, with around 45 million laying hens producing about 15 billion eggs a year.

Read the full letter HERE and below.

September 30, 2025

The Honorable Brooke Rollins

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Rollins,

As the United States Department of Agriculture continues its reorganization efforts, we ask that you continue consideration in bringing USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames, Iowa.

In conjunction with the mission of bringing federal agencies closer to constituents, Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa is a national leader in the production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels, and more.

Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers. Several students and professors at Iowa State prioritize their work and research with the USDA, many joining the agency after their time at ISU.

Ames currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington, D.C. The ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE), ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC), ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS), and ARS Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit (CICGRU) are all currently based in Ames. It's also home to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NSVL) and the APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). This advances the city's preparedness, minimizing transition complications for other ARS projects like those studying plant sciences, animal health, and the environment.

Further, many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service's efforts including, soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems, and bee research.

Not only would Iowa benefit on the research front, but employees would be able to own homes and enjoy the lower cost of living. Iowa falls 10.3% below the average cost of living and ranks the 2^nd lowest for grocery prices in 2025.

As the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency.

We, the Congressional Delegation of Iowa, urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa's fields to benefit farmers, producers, and families nationwide.

Thank you for your consideration to strengthen the USDA and its service to Americans through the relocation of essential research projects to the heartland of agriculture.

Sincerely,

-30-

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