Iowa Government Affairs, Lobbying & Public Affairs
ESTABLISH A FOOTHOLD & GROW
High Yield Strategies helps businesses, associations, and organizations navigate Iowa government, advance public policy, and build the relationships necessary to succeed in Iowa. Headquartered in Des Moines, HYS is a bipartisan government affairs and public affairs consulting firm specializing in agriculture, energy, biotechnology, natural resources, and economic development.
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Government Affairs
Bipartisan Iowa lobbying for businesses, associations and organizations with a stake at the Statehouse, backed by nearly a decade inside state government. HYS develops legislative strategy and bill language, lobbies lawmakers in both parties, prepares testimony, builds coalitions and tracks your bills through Iowa’s funnel deadlines. We also engage the Governor’s office and state agencies on rules and approvals, whether you need to pass a bill, change one or stop one.
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General Consulting
Entering or expanding in Iowa? HYS helps start-ups, corporations and out-of-state organizations understand Iowa’s political and regulatory landscape, meet the policymakers, agency leaders and industry stakeholders who matter, and work through state regulatory approvals. We also identify economic development incentives that fit your plans, help you find and apply for Iowa grant opportunities, and prepare you for high-impact meetings, site visits and facility tours.
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Communications
For associations, companies and organizations that need lawmakers, members and the public to understand their issue. HYS develops your message and talking points, writes speeches, press releases and award applications, prepares spokespeople for interviews, and runs social media and grassroots outreach built for Iowa audiences. We identify credible messengers, such as farmers, employees and local leaders, and time outreach around legislative deadlines so your communications support your policy strategy.
“Jake Swanson was incredible in making sure we got the biofuels bill across the finish line. He put a lot of work into it, and I was grateful for his efforts in helping get that done.”
Experience Inside Iowa Government
High Yield Strategies founder Jake Swanson previously served as Governor Kim Reynolds’ lead agriculture and energy policy adviser. Before that, he served as policy adviser and legislative liaison for Iowa Secretaries of Agriculture Bill Northey and Mike Naig, working directly on legislative, regulatory and agricultural policy issues. He has traveled to all of Iowa’s 99 counties.
Clients work directly with Jake, who puts that experience to work across agriculture, energy, biotechnology and other industries critical to Iowa’s economy. During the 2024 Iowa legislative session, HYS lobbied to save Iowa cattle producers $18 million in taxes—and won.
Meet Jake Swanson · Explore Iowa government affairs · Let’s talk
Who We Help
Companies entering Iowa
Market entry, introductions to state leaders and policymakers, economic development and grant opportunities, and help with state regulatory approvals. Doing business in Iowa
Organizations facing policy issues
Legislative strategy, bill development, direct lobbying, coalition building and legislative monitoring, whether you need to pass a bill, change one or stop one. Looking for a Des Moines lobbyist? Start with Iowa lobbying and government affairs or our guide to hiring a lobbyist in Iowa.
Agriculture, energy and technology companies
Specialized government affairs informed by Iowa’s agricultural and industrial landscape, from livestock and crop policy to biofuels, biotechnology and AgTech. Agriculture · Energy & biofuels · Biotech & AgTech
See Our Wins!
The Stories Behind the Wins
The headlines above cover legislative wins for Iowa agriculture and renewable fuels. Our case studies explain the challenge, HYS’s role and the result.
$18 million tax win for Iowa cattle producers: During the 2024 session, HYS lobbied to reinstate Iowa’s livestock capital gains deduction (House File 2649). Governor Reynolds said farm families will save nearly $18 million by 2030.
Iowa’s landmark E15 biofuels law: As the Governor’s lead energy adviser, Jake Swanson worked on House File 2128, which made Iowa the first state with an E15 standard. In 2024, HYS was also part of legislation that raised annual Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program funding from $10 million to $14 million.
Clear labeling for lab-grown and plant-based protein: HYS spoke on behalf of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in support of Senate File 2391, Iowa’s 2024 law requiring alternative proteins to be clearly labeled.
Experience & Featured Clients
HYS founder Jake Swanson’s experience includes the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Featured clients span agriculture, animal health, infrastructure and rural utilities, including the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association; animal health and biotechnology companies Genvax Technologies, Mazen Animal Health and ReproLogix; Next Gen Highways; and Wapello Rural Water Association.
See our work for Iowa cattle producers in the $18 million tax win and protein labeling law case studies.
Let’s Connect
From start-ups to corporations, we can help you establish a foothold and grow.
