To the editor:

Sometimes, leadership means slowing down and taking a hard look at the facts. That’s exactly what Gov. Kim Reynolds did when she vetoed HF 639 — and I want to thank her for it.

As someone who works every day alongside farmers and ethanol producers, I see what’s at stake. Prices are low. Margins are tight. And our industry is under pressure to adapt or fall behind. At CornLP, we’ve partnered with projects that help us stay competitive and open up new markets. These aren’t theoretical decisions — they’re about survival and long-term success.

In Cerro Gordo County, 84 percent of landowners along the route said yes. In Webster County, it’s 77 percent. These folks are exercising their rights too — choosing to participate in something they believe will benefit their farms, their families, and their future. That voice matters.

Gov. Reynolds took the time to understand all of this. She listened — not just to loud headlines, but to people in the middle of the state, doing the work. Her veto protects the ability of rural Iowans to decide what’s right for their own land and communities.

It was the right decision, and I’m grateful she made it.

Chris Boshart

General manager, Gold Eagle Co-op and CornLP

Eagle Grove