Something I've never seen at a governor's speech before
Plus, spotlighting Sharon Krause's commitment to growing tomorrow's food better
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I have lived in Iowa for 25 Condition of the State Addresses by Iowa governors (gulp!) But what I witnessed this past week was unlike anything that I have experienced. Later in this column, paid subscribers can read my behind-the-scenes account of what happened.
But first, an Iowa woman who is about so much more than gas stations.
(Sharon Krause. Image courtesy: In Harmony Farm)
When a lot of people hear the name “Krause” in Iowa, they might think of Kum & Go, the regional convenience store chain that the family once owned. But Sharon Krause is focused on far more than fueling up commuters and road trippers.
I have been especially curious about creative leaders like Sharon over the past two years since I started hosting the “American Farmland Owner Podcast.” It has made me think a lot about how we grow our food, how we find opportunities for producers besides the mass production of corn and soybeans, and how we connect fresh, health food with families, especially those who don’t have a lot of money.
Sidebar: What did you make of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ assertion that eating healthier is affordable. “It can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla and one other thing,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told NewsNation Wednesday.
I assume that most of us would agree that people in our country overall could eat healthier. But I think any of us who have experienced what it is like to buy groceries when money is tight also know that eating healthier can also get more expensive.
But back to Sharon Krause…she has an engineering background and was once an organic sheep farmer. Family demands left no time for the sheep. But several years later, she got back into farming near Earlham. And it is unique, both in its commitment to the environment and to the farmers of tomorrow with its training program. It you care about locally produced food, helping to make sure that small farmers have a real chance, and celebrating someone who is selflessly committed to others, then I think you will enjoy my conversation with Sharon.
Speeches, Speeches, and More Speeches…
The first day of the 2026 Iowa legislative session with speeches by top lawmakers, the annual Condition of the State Address by Iowa’s governor, the annual Condition of the Judiciary Address by the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice, and the yearly Condition of the Guard address by the leader of the Iowa National Guard.
That’s a lot of speeches. And that’s what the first week of the legislative session is.
1 on 1 with Kim Reynolds
I sat down with Governor Kim Reynolds for a 1 on 1 interview. I will release parts of that interview in a series of stories. The first one gets her to explain why she is focused on property tax changes as the top priority of her final year in office, why she thinks it is the state’s role to get involved in this, and her response as to whether local leaders support any of what she is proposing.
You can get the specifics of what she wants to do and watch our conversation here.
Two Top R’s
Of course, members of her own party will determine what priorities from Governor Reynolds’ wish list make it through both chambers. House Speaker Pat Grassley and new Senate Minority Leader Mike Klimesh told me what this debate on changing property taxes could look like. See what they had to say on this week’s “Inside Iowa Politics.”
Quick Thoughts…
—Would love to know what U.S. Senators are telling President Donald Trump in private regarding any threats to send American troops into Greenland to take that country by force.
—Thinking of two friends this week. I’m very thankful to one for reaching out and meeting for coffee. We hadn’t seen each other in two years. That’s way too long. Another friend is dealing with a painful illness. She is in our prayers for a quick recovery!
—I feel bad for Brock Purdy’s former underrated quarterback. His 49ers got clobbered by the Seahawks Saturday night.
—Sad to see Nolan Arenado leave my St. Louis Cardinals. I’m happy that he gets to play for an Arizona Diamondbacks teams that has a chance to make the playoffs, unlike the Cards who could be awful. Too bad ownership didn’t go for it all in 2022 when Arenada had his best year and the team had Paul Goldschmidt and Albert Pujols also hitting like studs. Wasted what could have been a special year.
Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting this column.
Now, let’s get to what happened when the protesters showed up on the night that Governor Reynolds gave her annual Condition of the State Address and why the night was so unusual.
