Bryan Whaley:
A new Iowa law aims to strengthen agricultural education by ensuring students aren’t penalized for participating in FFA and other school‑sponsored activities.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO Bryan Whaley says Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Senate File 2219, which brings consistency to student absence policies statewide.
“It just provides them a great opportunity to learn hands on in those experiences they get and can take advantage of those during the school time and not have to worry about that absence.”
Whaley says FFA was a key focus of the legislation, but 4‑H was ultimately left out by lawmakers.
“Unfortunately, the 4-H side was taken out of that bill at the end because it wasn’t a direct relationship to the school.”
He says ICA will push for the 4-H component to be revisited in a future legislative session.
Whaley adds he’s optimistic the legislation will support the next generation of cattle producers.
“Continuing to look at how we can keep cattle producers around in the state for a long period of time.”
Whaley says maintaining a strong pipeline of young people interested in the beef industry is critical, especially as the number of cattle producers continues to decline and the average age rises.
