Farm Progress America, Jan. 22, 2025

Mike Pearson takes a look at whether or not it is time to redraw some state's borders.

Several legislative proposals have bene floating which would change some borders in both Iowa or Indiana.

One way would mean purchasing some counties from a neighboring state or simply by resurveying the border and straightening it out.

The proposal in Iowa would mean the state would purchase up to nine counties from Minnesota. Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, announced the proposal to expand northward last week.

If the proposal would come to fruition, then over 3 million farming acres and 8,000 farms would be added to Iowa. Many of those counties were originally part of Iowa but the states changed their maps over the years. This would also enable Iowa to outtake Illinois as the biggest soybean producing state.

Critics say this is a distraction to take away from bigger problems in Iowa.

And the state of Indiana is considering realigning the border with Illinois.

Some say the Illinois policies don't align with the farm values or way of life.

However, it could mean lower taxes and better economic activities in Minnesota.

Several counties have expressed interest in leaving the Prairie State.

Boundary adjustment aligns the portion og Illinois with Indiana.

Any changes made could impact the state infrastructure and things like taxes.

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Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .