Iowa farmers answer public service calling

Farmers play a big role in elected or appointed leadership positions in rural county governments.

Iowa farmer Barry Anderson is a prime example. He followed family members’ sense of community service to become a county supervisor.

“I got an extra sense of service to the community started when I was growing up as I watched my dad and grandpa who both farmed and were members of Farm Bureau,” said Anderson, who has served on the Clay County Board of Supervisors for over 10 years.

His experience includes about 15 years on the Iowa Pork Producers Association board, nearly 17 years on the Iowa Farm Bureau board and 13 years on his local school board.

His school board experience probably prepared him the most for duties as a county supervisor, he said. Anderson served at the end of the South Clay County School District’s existence.

“It started getting so small, we had to transition to closing. It was a learning experience to find the best way to go forward,” he said.

Anderson enjoys the roles he held in leadership at the Iowa State Association of Counties, including now as its past president.

“You need a seat at the table to be effective,” he said. “Many things we do touch people in many ways — drainage in rural areas, human issues.”

He also worked on committees on rural affairs and membership with the National Association of Counties organization. Additionally, he participated in a NACo disaster task force last summer when flooding inundated the Spencer, Iowa, area.