Denise O’Brien, a Cass County farmer, announced today (Friday), that she is running for Iowa House District 21. The district is comprised of Adams county, Union county and parts of Cass and Pottawattamie counties. In a statement, O’Brien said “My husband and I have lived in Cass county nearly all our lives and have farmed in the county for over 42 years. We know our community and see how rural areas across the state have been ignored by politicians in Des Moines for too long. I am running for the Iowa House because I want the voice of rural Iowans to be heard. We need to put people over politics rather than letting our state crumble while catering to special interests. As a wife, mother, grandmother and farmer I have the knowledge and work ethic along with roots in my district to represent southwest Iowa well.”

Denise O’Brien

O’Brien and her husband, Larry Harris, maintain seventeen acres of the original Harris farm, 5 of which are in in certified organic fruit and vegetable production. O’Brien utilizes a greenhouse and high tunnel production to extend beyond Iowa’s normal growing season. Chickens and turkeys are also raised for meat and egg production. Denise has mentored women many of whom are the next generation of farmers. She cares deeply about the future of rural Iowa and has spent her life ensuring a bright road ahead for agriculture in Iowa.

She said that she “Will be an advocate for hardworking Iowa families like my own at the Iowa Legislature.” Her priorities include finding a solution to health care, prioritizing education, creating good jobs with benefits, and protecting our farms and environment. O’Brien said “I think we need folks in the legislature who are deeply invested in their communities rather than in the pockets of donors. Let’s create a state of Iowa that we are proud of as we move into the future.”

Denise has been involved in her community as well as in the agricultural sector. She is a co-founder of Women, Food and Agricultural Network, an Iowa based national network. She currently serves as President of the Board of Pesticide Action Network and co- Chairs the board of Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. O’Brien is an Assistant Soil and Water Commissioner for Cass county. From 2001 to 2003 O’Brien was a Food and Society Fellow, a W.K. Kellogg funded program. In 2012 O’Brien completed a year assignment with the United States Department of Agriculture as an Agriculture adviser in Afghanistan.