Across rural America, where farm fields stretch to the horizon and small towns pepper the landscape, agricultural cooperatives stand as pillars of strength and resilience. As CEO of NEW Cooperative Inc., headquartered in Fort Dodge, and a lifelong advocate for Iowa’s agriculture community, I’ve seen firsthand how cooperatives play a crucial role in driving our nation’s competitive agriculture sector while sustaining the economies of our rural communities.

From the outside, agricultural cooperatives may look like any other business. But they are so much more. And at a time when U.S. farmers are playing an increasingly vital role in feeding a growing global population, it’s never been more important to understand and support the community-based, local-first co-op business model that puts our trusted farmer-members first.

At their core, agricultural cooperatives embody the spirit of collaboration and mutual support. NEW Cooperative was founded in 1973 with just two locations and we’ve now grown to more than 80 locations across Iowa. But our mission has remained constant: providing essential services that help our farmer-owners stay strong and competitive. Whether it’s grain, feed, crop protection, or technology solutions, our team of over 1,000 employees works tirelessly to deliver value and reliability to our more than 12,000 members.

Our strength lies in pooling resources and amplifying our collective voice. Working together as a cooperative system enables our farmers to weather the storms–both literal and economic–that could otherwise threaten their ability to produce a safe and abundant food supply. That means providing direct business support and essential services, from buying inputs and marketing crops to delivering innovation and efficiency at scale.

For years, a tax provision known as Section 199A has helped co-ops like NEW Cooperative support our farmer-members and reinvest in the rural communities we call home. This provision has been instrumental in allowing cooperatives to return value to members and keep local economies thriving.

But today, that stability is at risk. While the corporate tax rate was permanently reduced in 2017, the rules that apply to cooperatives across Iowa and the rest of the U.S. are scheduled to expire this year. Without an extension of Section 199A, Iowa farm families would face a significant tax increase at a time when they are already grappling with rising interest rates, input costs, and inflation. If Congress fails to act, it will result in the largest tax increase on America’s farmers and ranchers in history.

Thankfully, our farmer-members are represented in Washington by steadfast advocates of rural communities. I want to thank Iowa’s congressional delegation–including Rep. Randy Feenstra and Sen. Chuck Grassley–for their leadership in carrying our message and championing policies like a permanent extension of Section 199A.

NEW Cooperative is part of a larger cooperative system that uplifts farmers across Iowa and the nation, providing billions in economic impact and sustaining thousands of rural jobs. Extending the Section 199A tax provision is an investment in the future of rural America: in our farmers, our families, our communities, and the institutions that support them.

The strength of American agriculture depends on policies that lift up those who work every day to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Now is the time for lawmakers to stand with rural America and ensure cooperatives like NEW Cooperative can continue to serve our members for generations to come.

Dan Dix is the CEO of NEW Cooperative. Headquartered in Fort Dodge, NEW Cooperative has more than 80 locations across Iowa.