INTERVIEWS & NEWS
October 30, 2022 Des Moines Register
John Norwood: We need a modern vision for food, land, water; an Iowa Built to Last
Des Moines, IA - In a few weeks, there is critical election for Iowa’s next secretary of agriculture. This office affects every Iowan who eats food or drinks water. The secretary’s role might be better described as the Secretary of Food, Land, and Water. It is quite possibly the most important state-level position when it comes to addressing climate change, changing consumer diets, and electrification, because how Iowa manages its agricultural systems for food, feed, energy, land, water, human and animal health will be watched by the country. And the world.
October 28, 2022 Cedar Rapids Gazette
Meet the Candidates for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Cedar Rapids, IA -
Republican Mike Naig is seeking another four-year term as Iowa’s secretary of agriculture in order to continue to seek new markets for Iowa agriculture products and to continue work on improving water quality in the state. Democrat John Norwood, a businessman and Polk County Soil and Water commissioner, wants to expedite Iowa’s work on improving water quality and foster an agricultural system that he says would be built to last.
October 23, 2022 KCCI News
Mike Naig and John Norwood in a Race for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Des Moines, IA - Republican Mike Naig has served as Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture for the past four years. He's running for reelection in the November general election against Democrat John Norwood.
October 21, 2022 Bleeding Heartland
Iowa's Water Quality and Soil Loss Crisis: Part 1
Des Moines, IA -The following video provides a brief 2.5-minute overview of Iowa’s water quality crisis and the lack of leadership by our current secretary of agriculture. It’s painfully obvious he lacks a basic understanding of the problems or how to address them at scale.
October 14, 2022 iVOOX The News Hour: Insights on Business
Out to Lunch with John Norwood - Lunch Guest Interview
Des Moines, IA - Today our lunch guest is John Norwood who is running to become the next Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Iowa. Here we take a deep dive into one of the biggest businesses in the Hawkeye State...farming. We'll talk about current farming practices, soil, water, population troubles in rural counties, how to save the family farm, alternative crops that matter, how to get more farmers into the business and his idea of an Iowa Farm Bill that wraps so much of this together. Some stunning ideas from John Norwood.
October 14, 2022 Eagle Grove Eagle
Ag Secretary candidates split on carbon pipelines, future of ethanol
Eagle Grove, IA - The two candidates for Iowa secretary of agriculture split Friday on whether government should require unwilling landowners to allow carbon pipelines to cross their land. Democrat John Norwood said eminent domain should not be used to build pipelines that transport captured carbon dioxide away from ethanol plants in Iowa because they do not serve a public purpose.
October 12, 2022 Yahoo News, via Des Moines Register
See where the candidates stand on key issues in the 2022 midterm elections
Des Moines, IA - Early voting is around the corner in Iowa's elections for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and the Iowa Legislature.
Iowans can begin casting their ballots Oct. 19 for the Nov. 8 election. To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, statewide and Des Moines-area legislative candidates running for political office this year.
October 11, 2022 Bleeding Heartland
Where do Iowa's candidates stand on science policy? We asked them
Des Moines, IA -The Iowa Science Policy Candidate Survey gives voters a single location to find contenders’ views on the climate change, science-based decision-making, vaccinations, and more. Our nonpartisan coalition sent the survey to all nominees for federal, statewide and legislative offices—more than 200 altogether.
October 8, 2022 Quad City Times
Democrats in Progress Iowa Corn Feed: Make month to election count
Cedar Rapids, IA - Candidates, elected officials and local leaders encouraged Iowa Democrats on Saturday to be proactive in their support for the party in the 30 days leading to the Nov. 8 election.
October 5, 2022 Des Moines Register
What Iowa ag secretary candidates Mike Naig & John Norwood say about eminent domain, ethanol
Des Moines, IA - To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, statewide and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
October 3, 2022 Iowa Public Radio
Get to know the 2022 candidates: Secretary of Agriculture
Des Moines, IA - Iowa's secretary of agriculture heads the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which manages the state's land stewardship and agriculture programs.
October 1, 2022 NWestIowa.com
Franken, Melton, Norwood, and more candidates meet in Orange City
Sheltdon, IA - John Norwood is running against ag secretary Mike Naig. He calls his platform, "Iowa Built to Last" and focuses on diversifying and future proofing the state's illustrative industry.
September 30, 2022 Iowa Farmer Today
Norwood focuses on long term sustainability goals for Iowa
Des Moines, IA - John Norwood knows he has his work cut out for him. He is a Democrat running for secretary of agriculture in a state that is trending Republican. He wasn’t born in Iowa and who didn’t grow up on a farm. And he is running against an incumbent. But he is upbeat.
“I have a passion for agriculture,” he says. “I’m very issue-oriented. I’m not slinging mud. Fundamentally, I’m an educator and I’m listening.”
For Norwood, the issues of water quality and soil health are very important. A Polk County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner, he has spearheaded efforts in Polk County to work cooperatively with farmers to improve water quality.
September 29, 2022 Carroll Times Herald
Current agriculture system is unbalanced, says Secretary of Ag candidate John Norwood
Carroll, IA - Norwood said while Iowa’s agriculture system is highly productive, it’s also highly unbalanced. ”We’re so focused on productivity, how much money can we make today and tomorrow with very little focus on what’s going to be here in 50 years. We have to change that way of thinking,” Norwood said as a guest speaker at Carroll Rotary Club’s regular Monday meeting.
September 9, 2022 News Talk Radio 1540 KXEL
Norwood Will Use a "Systems Approach" to Move Iowa Forward
Waterloo, IA - Listen to Tim Hardwood interview John Norwood. They discuss Iowa's declining soil health and water quality; and issues facing all Iowas. John shares his ideas on creating sustainable ag system; his stance against using eminent domain for private carbon pipelines; using farm parks; and using industrial hemp as a rotation crop to open new markets and revenue for Iowa.
September 16, 2022 The Grundy Register
John Norwood Talks Building an Iowa Built to Last in Grundy Center
Grundy Center, IA - Democratic candidate for Secretary of Agriculture John Norwood paid a visit to Grundy County this past Wednesday, Aug. 31 to speak with community members about his vision of “building Iowa to last”. The current Polk County Soil and Water Commissioner has been traveling across Iowa on the patented 99 county tour, pushing a message of balancing what he believes to be an unbalanced system of agriculture in the state.
September 16, 2022 Times-Republican Register
Democrat Candidates Convene At Wayward Social
Marshalltown, IA - A total of five Democratic candidates — three for statewide offices, one for Congress and another for Marshall County Attorney — congregated at Wayward Social on Wednesday night for a meet and greet event with voters, and each hopeful took center stage to deliver a brief stump speech about why they believe they should be elected in November. After Marshall County Democrats Chair Jeanine Grady introduced the candidates, Secretary of Agriculture candidate John Norwood — who described himself as a “Tip O’Neill style Democrat” — was the first to speak, criticizing the current direction of agriculture in the state under the leadership of his opponent, Republican incumbent Mike Naig, as “unbalanced.”
September 7, 2022 Raccoon Valley Radio KDLS, KGRA, KKRF
Norwood Expresses Urgency to Address Critical Issues Facing Iowa Ag and IDALS
Perry, IA - John Norwood and Coltrane Carlson discuss critical issues facing Iowa including soil heath, lack of enforcement of violators at puppy mills, inadequate computer systems at IDALS, and what separates him from his opponent.
August 25, 2022 KIWA Radio
Norwood says Ag Secretary Should Focus on Food, Land, and Water Issues
Sheldon, IA - The Democratic Party’s nominee for state ag secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture needs to represent both producers and consumers. Listen to the interview with KIWA Radio.
August 17, 2022 KGLO News
Norwood says Ag Secretary Should Focus on Food, Land, and Water Issues
Des Moines, IA- The Democratic Party’s nominee for state ag secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture needs to represent both producers and consumers. “We have to have an eye on the world and where the world is going and maybe think about the secretary of agriculture as the secretary of food, land and water,” John Norwood said on The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.
August 17, 2022 Radio Iowa
Norwood says Ag Secretary Should Focus on Food, Land, and Water Issues
Des Moines, IA- The Democratic Party’s nominee for state ag secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture needs to represent both producers and consumers. “We have to have an eye on the world and where the world is going and maybe think about the secretary of agriculture as the secretary of food, land and water,” John Norwood said on The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.
August 16, 2022 Mississippi News via Darik News
Norwood says Ag Secretary Should Focus on Food, Land, and Water Issues
Missippi - The Democratic Party’s nominee for state ag secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture needs to represent both producers and consumers.
August 12, 2022 Iowa Public Radio
Norwood says Iowa is out of balance with water quality, soil loss and rural population decline
Des Moines, IA - The Democrat running for Iowa agriculture secretary said he’ll represent farmers and consumers if he’s elected.
Polk County Soil and Water Commissioner John Norwood spoke to a crowd at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on Thursday afternoon. He said the position of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture must have a strong focus on food, land and water.
August 12, 2022 Atlantic News Telegraph
Democrat candidates visit Atlantic
Atlantic, IA - Deidre DeJear, democratic candidate for governor, and John Norwood, Candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, visited Atlantic last week, including a stop at the Harrisdale Farmstead and the Atlantic High School for a round table discussion on “Feeding Our Community.” Norwood talked about the importance of Iowa farmers feeding Iowans. “Iowa imports nearly 90% of the food we eat,” Norwood said, “with 24 billion acres of cultivated land in Iowa, we have an opportunity to start beginning farmers and feed our region.”
August 11, 2022 NWestIowa.com
Norwood offers new vision for state's ag office
Sibley, IA - John Norwood has entered the race for a statewide position that we would argue is one of the most important offices in Iowa. "I think of this position as the secretary of food, land, and water. If you eat and you drink water, you should have an interest in this position", Norwood said.
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August 10, 2022 Bellevue Herald-Leader
Ag Secretary candidates chart different courses for conservation, water quality
Bellevue, IA - The candidates for Iowa secretary of agriculture offer sharp contrasts in terms of their priorities and assessments of the greatest challenges facing farmers.
July 31, 2022 Cedar Rapids Gazette
Norwood wants to transform agriculture
Cedar Rapids, IA - Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture John Norwood has a lot of plans for transforming Iowa agriculture. A lot. You’ll need to set aside a chunk of time to hear them all. A flowchart might come in handy. But near the end of our roughly hour long talk this past week, he summed up what needs to change succinctly. “In Iowa if you can’t grow it on a million acres, it’s not worth our time,” Norwood said. “We have that mindset, a commodity mindset.”
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July 31, 2022 Muscatine Journal
John Norwood visits Muscatine
Muscatine, IA - With the Nov. 8 elections coming up quickly, Iowa Secretary of Agricultural candidate John Norwood visited Muscatine Thursday afternoon to discuss advocating for the needs of all food producers in Iowa. The current Soil and Water Commissioner for Polk County, Norwood describes himself as a “Tip O’Neil style Democrat.” He said that he is running for Secretary of Agriculture because he feels Iowa needs a modern vision for the “highly productive but unbalanced” agricultural production system. Norwood hopes to look after farmers and agricultural producers and at the same time look out for the needs of all Iowans. He said his goal is to “build Iowa to last.”
July 26, 2022 Telegraph Herald
Norwood shares vision for more sustainable ag system during visit to Dubuque
Dubuque, IA - Democrat John Norwood, running for Iowa secretary of agriculture, said in a Monday stop in Dubuque.
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July 21, 2022 Carroll Times Herald
Norwood talks agriculture at Whiterock
Carroll, IA - The race for secretary of Iowa Agriculture isn’t at the top of the ticket on the November ballot. But it effectively should be, said the Democratic candidate for the office John Norwood. “I think this is fundamentally one of the two most important positions in Iowa,” Norwood said Sunday during an outdoor event at Whiterock Conservancy attended by 40 people. Norwood is challenging Republican incumbent Mike Naig. In fact, Norwood said, the state ag secretary position could be more important than other races in Iowa because so much of the nation sees Iowa as a leader on farm and land-use issues.
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June 9, 2022 Carroll Times Herald
John Norwood speaks on campaign as Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Carroll, IA - John Norwood, the Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of Agriculture, sat down for an interview with the Carroll Times Herald to discuss ethanol use, cannabis, and overall agriculture in Iowa.
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June 8, 2022 Bleeding Heartland
Favorite wildflowers of Iowa's 2022 Democratic Ticket
Des Moines, IA - For this post-primary election edition of Iowa wildflower Wednesday, I asked all of Iowa's Democratic nominees for federal or statewide offices about their favorite wildflowers.
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May 25, 2022 KHOI 89.1 FM Radio - Local Talk
Norwood discusses innovative farming practices
Ames, IA - Listen to John Norwood discuss innovative farming practices and how Iowa can carve a path as a world leader in soil health, water integrity, and responsible production. John's interview starts at the 47:00 minute mark.
Listen to Interview
May 18, 2022 The Daily Gate City
Norwood shares ideas about ag
Keokuk, IA - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Candidate John Norwood said if Iowa was its own country, it would be in the top 10 in the world in agriculture production. That means the position for which he is running is important to the state.
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May 18, 2022 The Daily Gate City
Norwood to hold meet and greets
Keokuk, IA - John Norwood, the Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture will have two meet and greets in Lee County on Saturday, May 21.
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May 16, 2022 The Hawk Eye
How Iowa ag secretary hopeful John Norwood has a plan to make Iowa the Silicon Valley of ag with sustainability in mind
Burlington, IA - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidate John Norwood, a Des Moines Democrat, wants to make ag hip again. During a visit to Burlington this week, during which he attended the Des Moines County Democrats' annual banquet, Norwood shared with The Hawk Eye a vision for the future of Iowa's ag sector that includes farm parks, crop and farmer diversification, soil and water conservation, and education that he believes will draw more people to rural Iowa and encourage healthier farming practices.
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May 11, 2022 Raccoon Valley Radio KDLS
Let’s Talk Greene County - Democratic Candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture: John Norwood
Perry, IA - John Norwood is running as a Democrat for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. Listen to a two part series interview about his candidacy.
Listen to Interview
April 25, 2022 Iowa Labor News
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Makes 2022 Political Endorsements
Des Moines, IA - The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO held its Committee on Political Education (C.O.P.E) Convention, April 23, in Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend. This is the formal step in the process to evaluate candidates for the first round of endorsements for the 2022 election cycle.
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February 8, 2022 KCRG News / ABC 9
Democrat John Norwood announces run for Iowa Agriculture Secretary
West Des Moines IA - Democrat John Norwood announced he will run as a challenger to incumbent Mike Naig for Iowa’s Agriculture Secretary.Norwood is currently the Polk County Soil & Water Commissioner.
In a news release announcing his candidacy, Norwood said his first priority will be to build urban and rural support around agriculture systems that are built to last.
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February 8, 2022 Des Moines Register
Democrat John Norwood challenges Republican incumbent Mike Naig in race for Iowa agriculture secretary
Des Moines IA - John Norwood, a Polk County soil and water commissioner, said Monday he was launching an election challenge to incumbent Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. Norwood, a Democrat, is founder of TBL Ventures, a Des Moines company that advises businesses on environmental, social and governance issues.
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February 9, 2022 Bleeding Heartland
Interview: John Norwood outlines his vision for Iowa agriculture
Des Moines IA - Polk County Soil and Water Commissioner John Norwood announced on February 7 that he will run for Iowa secretary of agriculture as a Democrat. In a news release enclosed at the end of this post, Norwood promised to "protect urban and rural consumers, expand economic opportunities around diversified food and agricultural production, and advocate for the needs of ALL food, grain, and livestock producers." He added that he wants to create a "a modern vision for Iowa for its highly productive but “unbalanced” agricultural system," in order to provide "healthy soil, clean air, swimmable/fishable waters and safe drinking water for everyone.”