From Iowa Roots to Ag Policy Powerhouse
Katie Hall on Advocacy, Farming, and the Future of Soybeans
When you grow up one of seven kids on a farm in Western Iowa, you learn a few things early: how to work hard, how to ask questions, and how to figure things out when no one’s holding your hand. For Katie Hall, those early lessons shaped a career that now sees her advocating for thousands of Iowa soybean farmers on Capitol Hill, in state policy rooms, and across the ag landscape.
In her conversation with Germinate Podcast host Joe Sampson, Katie shares how she went from walking soybean fields as a teenager to becoming a translator, connector, and problem-solver in the often messy and misunderstood world of agricultural policy.
A Farm Kid with a Global Perspective
Katie grew up in the small town of Manila, Iowa, on a diversified row crop and livestock farm. Her family experimented with everything from pigs and cattle to organic popcorn and oats. Those early experiences gave her a front-row seat to what it means to adapt, hustle, and make things work, lessons she carried into college and her eventual career in logistics, trading, and now advocacy.
“I’m not the smartest person in the room,” Katie says. “But I do ask more questions than anyone else.”
That curiosity led her to roles at companies like Walmart and ADM before she found her true calling: lobbying on behalf of Iowa’s agricultural producers.
What Does Advocacy Really Mean?
In Katie’s words, her role is part translator, part connector. She bridges the gap between farmers and policymakers, often explaining to one side what the other is experiencing and why it matters.
Her goal? To move from reactive to proactive.
“Instead of waiting for bad legislation to come down the pipeline, we want to fix issues before they become problems,” she says.
One example: trucking regulations. What seems like a simple permit issue can become a logistical nightmare when state laws don’t align. Katie works to bring those conversations to the forefront before they bottleneck farm operations.
Tariffs, Trade, and Soybeans: A Cautionary Tale
The conversation takes a sobering turn when the topic shifts to tariffs. Katie explains why soybean farmers are especially vulnerable in trade negotiations. Unlike other commodities, soybeans have a direct international substitute: Brazil.
“When China sees a tariff, it can easily switch to Brazilian soybeans,” she explains. “We’ve never fully recovered from the impact of the 2017 tariffs.”
While short-term aid may soften the blow, the long-term damage to U.S. market share can’t be overstated. “Farmers want trade, not aid,” Katie says, citing the words of a Kansas grower at a recent USDA meeting.
Debunking Organic and Food System Myths
Katie isn’t afraid to push back on oversimplified narratives around food and health. With a personal background that includes organic farming and a professional background in logistics and economics, she brings a balanced view to the table.
“There’s a moral superiority complex that’s emerged around food,” she says. “And it’s dangerous because it ignores facts.”
She emphasizes that not all organic food is healthier, nor is it more sustainable in every context. It’s a market differentiation, not a morality scale.
“We buy some organic and some conventional. It comes down to what’s fresh, what’s local, and what fits the budget.”
The Legacy of Farming—and the Future
Succession planning is another key area of Katie’s advocacy. With Iowa’s aging farmer population, the need for proactive planning has never been greater.
“It’s hard,” she admits. “But these are legacy decisions. What does it look like to pass this farm on to the next generation?”
Katie speaks from experience, having gone through succession discussions in her own family. With clarity and empathy, she walks listeners through the emotional and logistical complexities of preserving not just the land but the values it was built on.
A Message for Policymakers
Katie’s final message is a call for fairness and listening.
“Farmers aren’t villains. They drink the same water, eat the same food, and want the same future for their kids. They deserve to be part of the conversation, not demonized by it.”
Whether it's tariffs, food labeling, or trade agreements, Katie’s work ensures that farmers' voices are not just heard, but understood.
Final Thoughts
This episode of the Germinate Podcast is more than a discussion about soybeans—it’s a deep dive into the complexities of food, policy, and people. Katie Hall’s voice is a necessary one in today’s agricultural conversation: grounded, informed, and unwaveringly human.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 https://www.youtube.com/@germinatepodcast/shorts
📩 Contact Katie: khall@iasoybeans.com
🌐 Iowa Soybean Association
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