Naig pays visit to Charles City

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig passed through Floyd County on Tuesday and stopped to visit at Farmers New Ag, formerly known as Floyd County Ag Center in Charles City, across the road from the Floyd County Fairgrounds.

“This is an exciting time of year, obviously, and I’m curious if we are OK from a supply standpoint,” Naig said. “I like to get around and find out what’s happening. What’s been the COVID impact? How are folks feeling?”

Location manager Isaac Luzum and employees Scott Doherty, Gary Moritz, Renee Knapp and Brittany Brandau chatted with Naig about a wide variety of agricultural issues as well as other topics.

The ag center, which has been in operation for several decades, officially became one of four locations of Farmers Feed and Grain, based in Riceville, at the start of the year.

Naig, age 43, became the deputy secretary of agriculture in September 2013. After the resignation of Bill Northey, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Naig to succeed him in March 2018. Naig defeated Tim Gannon in the November 2018 election.

“We’ve talked a lot about essential workers over the last year, and we have a broad view of that in Iowa,” Naig said. “It takes essential ag workers like these to get a crop in the ground, take care of livestock all day and every day — all the way down to the processing facilities and to the grocery store.”

Naig talked to the employees about a wide variety of subjects, mostly centered on the lack of a workforce available in Iowa. Luzem told Naig that he was always looking for more employees, and it was always a challenge to fill open positions. That issue led to discussion about many other related subjects, including child care, housing, wages and immigration.

The employees also told Naig that they thought the company had weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well, although they were hopeful it would be coming to an end soon. Supplies are also a big problem they were having to deal with and overcome.

Naig called the crew “a great young group” and said he was happy to hear what’s on their minds.

Brandau said she thought Naig seemed like a “straight shooter.”

“It’s nice to know we’re not forgotten about,” said Brandau. “We get so busy with the hustle and bustle, so it’s nice to know we are appreciated.”