The granddaughter of a man who was instrumental in promoting the use of hybrid corn is urging G-O-P lawmakers NOT to close an ag-related research center at Iowa State University. Liz Garst manages her family’s 35-hundred acre farm in the Coon Rapids area. She says the work of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is not done.

Garst was among more than three dozen people who testified today (Monday) at a hearing in the state capitol held to give Iowans a chance to weigh in on G-O-P budget proposals. Several spoke against Republican legislators’ plans to cut state support of the I-S-U research center. Mills County Supervisor Mark Peterson farms about 500 near Stanton. He’s also board president of Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Another I-S-U graduate told legislators it makes Iowa “look bad” to shut down crucial efforts to improve water quality and stop soil loss. Other speakers urged Republicans to abandon their goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood. Erin Davison-Rippey of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland targeted her remarks to Republican moderates.

The other major topic raised during today’s (Monday’s) hearing was the legislature’s proposed cut to victim services. Mary Ingham is executive director of Crisis Intervention Service in Mason City which serves 14 counties in north central and north east Iowa.

The other voice (you heard there) was Representative Pat Grassley, the Republican from New Hartford who managed the public hearing. Each speaker was limited to three minutes. A large crowd gathered around a big-screen T-V in the statehouse rotunda and cheered as speakers made their points. People seated INSIDE the hearing room waved pieces of green construction paper to signal their support for what was being said.

(Radio Iowa)