SIOUX CITY, IA and DETROIT, MI  – On Thursday, June 29, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted its third annual Heartland Summit with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) and Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott, Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, Michael Wagner, Vice President – Managing Director, Cargill Starch, Sweeteners and Texturizers, Marcus Jadotte, Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google, and other community leaders from across the Heartland for conversations showcasing what diplomacy, development, and democracy are worth to the national and economic security of communities and families across Iowa, Michigan and the Heartland.

The high-impact Summit—which took place in-person and virtually simultaneously in two Heartland cities: Detroit, Michigan and Sioux City, Iowa—explored how strategic investments in agriculture and global development are creating jobs at home and abroad, feeding the hungry, and keeping Americans safe—showcasing what America’s role in the world is worth to communities across America’s Heartland. For more and to see the full program: https://heartland.usglc.org/.

“The USGLC is proud to return to the Heartland for our third annual Heartland Summit to help raise these important voices in our policy conversations,” said USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer. “Heartland states like Iowa and Michigan, where this year’s conversations were held, are deeply tied to America’s global leadership, with millions of jobs dependent on trade, especially in agriculture. And America’s agricultural exports—60% of which go to the developing world—are essential for addressing the historic food crisis. In other words, the Heartland depends on a stable world and a stable world depends on the Heartland. That is why, ahead of this year’s summit, more than 500 farmers and agriculture workers sent a letter to Congress, organized by the USGLC’s Farmers for Prosperity initiative, about how and why leading globally matters locally, and how legislation like the Farm Bill matters for cementing that leadership.”

Quotes from the 2023 Heartland Summit

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)

“Plain and simple–food security is national security. I was grateful to join today’s summit to share my solutions to address the growing food security crisis, protect American ag land, and leverage public and private sector investments in agriculture to help keep communities across the Heartland safe and fed.”

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) 

“The Heartland is the backbone of America – we make things, and we grow things. The issues that matter to the Heartland matter to our entire country. I’m always thankful for the opportunity to elevate the perspectives and priorities of the hard-working men and women who live, work, and raise their families here, and whose work keeps our nation running. The Heartland built this country into what it is today, and I will always fight to make sure these voices are heard and taken into account.”

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI)

“I was honored to participate in the USGLC’s third Annual Heartland Summit to discuss the incredible innovation happening right here in the Midwest. From designing and manufacturing the electric vehicles of the future to leading the nation in semiconductor chip manufacturing, America’s economic success depends on Michigan.”

Mayor Bob Scott (Sioux City, IA)

“The community right here is special. We are leaders from across America’s Heartland from Michigan to Missouri, Ohio to Nebraska, Wisconsin to Kansas, North Dakota to Iowa. From big cities to small cities, small towns—urban to rural. We are leaders of the business, humanitarian and faith communities. We are public servants. We are military veterans. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. And from these diverse backgrounds, we’re able to find common ground about America’s role in the world—we believe leading globally matters locally.”

Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch (Wayne County, Michigan)

“The leaders of our businesses here in Detroit and across the region will tell you the private sector alone cannot keep us competitive… That is why we need these vital strategic investments in diplomacy and development to help fight corruption, promote rule of law and open new markets for our goods and services—which is key to our economic prosperity here at home. I’ll be blunt, it’s good for the world, and it’s good for American business.”

Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture

“We are at a critical moment as we make the case for what America’s role in the world is worth to our communities here in the Heartland. Today, this vitally important region of the country is coming together to show how strategic investments in agriculture, technology, communications, and global development are creating jobs at home and abroad, feeding the hungry around the world, and keeping us safe and secure.”

Marcus Jadotte, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google 

“We have been committed to support Ukraine and its people since day one of the start of this all-out war. And by supporting the Ukrainians, we are also reducing risk to our European partners… We’re also reducing risk at home for malicious actors who want to disrupt our way of life through cyber-attacks, and maintaining our ability to do business globally.”

Michael Wagner, Vice President – Managing Director, Cargill Starch, Sweeteners and Texturizers

“The food crisis is real. People around the globe and right here in Sioux City are experiencing food insecurity. At Cargill we work each day with producers, ranchers, retailers, NGO partners and more to ensure there is increased access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. Helping to feed and nourish the world is such a critical component of our business and for all of our stakeholders across the entire value chain.”

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