In and around the livestock barns, agriculture building and an antique-tractor collection at the Iowa State Fair in recent days, farmers almost universally expressed support for the president and pledged to vote for him in 2020.
"He's doing a good job and trying to make sure we're treated fairly," said Kevin Prevo, a fifth-generation farmer who raises corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs on about 1,400 acres near Bloomfield, Iowa.
Mr. Prevo showed zero uncertainty when asked whether he would vote for Mr. Trump again in 2020. "You bet," he said.
...
That message, however, doesn't seem to be landing with farmers, even as industry associations ratchet up statements expressing concern about the trade dispute. The Wall Street Journal interviewed more than a dozen farmers on the fairgrounds over two days.
"He's doing the right thing," said Leo Balk, a fifth-generation farmer who raises corn, soybeans, oats, beef and dairy cows on about 300 acres near New Hampton, Iowa. "It hurts, but his concept is absolutely right."
One of the reasons farmers are showing so much patience with Mr. Trump, even as commodity prices have suffered, is because his administration has provided tariff-related aid to farmers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this month started
signing up farmers for a program that will disburse about $14.5 billion, following a roughly $10 billion program last year.
Dan Taylor, who farms about 900 acres of corn, soybeans and livestock near Bouton, Iowa, called the checks the "Trump payment" and said last year's assistance came close to making up for losses incurred as a result of the trade war.
Mr. Taylor was a rare farmer who said he didn't vote for Mr. Trump and compared farmers backing the president with evangelical Christians who, as a whole, have also strongly supported him even though some of his actions may be counter to their beliefs.
"The ag sector is the same way," Mr. Taylor said. "They'll still give him their loyalty, even though the trade war isn't doing ag any good."
.1565784045320.png)
