Iowa official register

134 

IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER 

 

The Older Americans Act of 1965 established the State Unit on Aging and the Area Agencies 

on Aging. The Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) was first created as the Commission on the Ag-

ing by the General Assembly in 1965. In 1986, the responsibilities of the commission were in-

cluded in the duties of the Iowa Department on Aging (formally the Iowa Department of Elder 

Affairs), which acts as the State Unit on Aging. The department was established under the “Elder 

Iowans Act” (Iowa Code chapter 231), which sets forth the role and responsibilities for the de-

partment. The department advocates for Iowans age 60 and older and is responsible for develop-

ing a comprehensive and coordinated system of services and activities for older people through 13 

designated Area Agencies on Aging across the state. The department’s programs and services 

include: elder rights and legal assistance; elder abuse prevention; nutrition and wellness 

(www.iowahealthylinks.org); caregiver services (www.iowafamilycaregiver.org); older worker 

services; and case management for frail elders (www.aging.iowa.gov). The department is also 

responsible for Iowa’s Aging and Disability Center (www.lifelonglinks.org).  Within the Iowa 

Department on Aging is the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which advocates 

for the rights of residents living in health facilities.  An 11-member commission serves as the 

policymaking body for the department with seven members appointed by the Governor, two by 

the House, and two by the Senate for four-year terms. Among their duties, the commission prom-

ulgates rules and approves and monitors the area plans for the area agencies. The Governor ap-

points a department director subject to confirmation by the Senate. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

AND LAND STEWARDSHIP 

Ch 159 

Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319; [phone];  

www.iowaagriculture.gov 

Bill Northey, Secretary of Agriculture  

Karey Claghorn, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture 

The General Assembly created the Iowa Department of Agriculture in 1923. In 1986, the de-

partment was restructured and the name changed to Department of Agriculture and Land Steward-

ship to reflect its broadened focus, which now includes the Soil Conservation Division. 

The mission of the department is to encourage a relationship between people and the land that 

recognizes the land as a resource to be managed to avoid irreparable harm. The department is 

tasked with developing and implementing policies that address the long-term future of agriculture 

as an economic activity as well as a way of life. 

The department helps encourage, promote, market, and advance the interests of agriculture, 

including production practices, such as organic or conventional, that may lead to new opportuni-

ties for Iowa farmers. The department has the responsibility of providing consumer protection 

through the regulatory programs administered by the regulatory, laboratory, and inspection ser-

vices. The department is responsible for the preservation and improvement of the quality of two 

of the state’s most important natural resources, soil and water. 

The department is comprised of three divisions: Administrative, Soil Conservation, and Con-

sumer Protection and Industry Services. 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION 

Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319; [phone] 

Karey Claghorn, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture 

The Administrative Division assists the Secretary of Agriculture and other divisions in the ad-

ministration of the department and in the implementation of legislation and statutory rules relating 

to the department. Internal support includes centralized accounting, auditing, budgeting, and hu-

man resources. 

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135 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES 

 

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND INDUSTRY SERVICES DIVISION 

Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319; [phone] 

John Whipple, Director 

The purpose of the Consumer Protection and Industry Services Division is to provide protec-

tions for consumers of Iowa agricultural products. Special emphasis is given to meat and poultry 

products, milk and dairy products, and products sold over a scale or through a meter.  

The division is accountable for monitoring and providing health protections for animals in 

Iowa. Special emphasis is given to regulating the movement and health status of Iowa’s livestock 

herds through the implementation of various monitoring, control, and eradication programs. In 

addition, the division regulates producers and commercial breeders, groomers, and boarding ken-

nels of pet animals.  

The third responsibility is consumer protection through the inspection and scientific evaluation 

of food and agricultural products for safety and stated value. Laboratory analysis of milk and 

dairy products, meat and poultry products, livestock feed and pet food, fertilizers, pesticides, and 

seed and nursery stock is undertaken daily to ensure public safety. 

The division is provided jurisdiction by the Iowa Code for the protection of grain merchandis-

ers through the inspection and financial monitoring of licensed grain facilities.  In addition, the 

division also administers the Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund. 

Another responsibility is providing promotional and informational services for the varied as-

pects of Iowa agriculture.  Support includes the coverage and release of daily grain prices and 

coverage of livestock auctions to ensure accurate price reporting, assistance to organic producers 

including state organic certification, promotion and technical advice on diversified crop produc-

tion, including the grape and wine industry, and certification and expansion of farmers markets 

throughout Iowa. 

SOIL CONSERVATION DIVISION 

§161A.4 

Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319; [phone] 

Charles Gipp, Director 

The Soil Conservation Division is responsible for state leadership in the protection and man-

agement of soil, water, and mineral resources.  The division also assists the soil and water conser-

vation districts and private landowners in meeting agricultural and environmental protection 

needs. Division programs are carried out by Iowa’s 100 soil and water conservation districts.  

Environment First programs offered by the division include cost-share assistance for conserva-

tion practices, district initiatives, conservation buffer incentives, agriculture drainage well closure, 

watershed protection, the Iowa Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and the Integrated 

Farm/Livestock Management Demonstration Program. 

The Mines and Minerals Bureau is also within the Soil Conservation Division and is responsi-

ble for an abandoned mined land reclamation program, a coal regulatory program, and registering 

mineral sites. 

STATE APIARIST 

§160.1 

Iowa Lab Facility, Ankeny 50023; [phone] 

Andrew Joseph 

 

STATE CLIMATOLOGIST 

§159.5(4) 

Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319; [phone] 

Harry Hillaker 

 

 

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