Meet Kevin

Education

Born and raised in Story County, Kevin graduated from Roland-Story High School in 1977 and Iowa State University in 1981 with a degree in Animal Science.

Experience

Kevin is a 5th generation family farmer, farming in Stanhope, IA, located in Hamilton County.

After graduating from college, Kevin moved to Oklahoma where he worked as a sales manager for a major insurance company for three years, specializing in small group health insurance.

Kevin sold his first Vermeer hay rake at the age of 14 working at the Kermit Miskell Vermeer Dealership in Story City, helping out at his father's shop. It is here that he first learned the importance of backing up what you sold with honesty and integrity.

At a time when Iowa was undergoing its greatest economic crisis in modern times, the 1980s farm crisis, Kevin moved back home to Iowa to help the family farm when his father and brother were both facing serious health problems.

Today Kevin farms down the road from his father and brother who both live on Century Farms. Together they also run the Kermit Miskell Vermeer dealership, one of the largest farmer/dealers in the state.

Community Leader

It was during the 1980s farm crisis that Kevin became active in grassroots roots efforts to stop vertical integration and corporate agribusiness from taking over family farms.

For the past two decades, Kevin has been active in grassroots and legislative efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, protect the environment and fight for progressive political ideals.

Since 2004 he has served as the Vice President of Iowa Farmers Union, a position he recently resigned from in order to run for Congress.

Progressive Democrat

While many people now claim to be progressive Democrats, Kevin is proud to have been a progressive before it was popular.

In his time working to get Democrats elected to office, Kevin has served as the Chair of the Hamilton County Democrats.

Since 2003 Kevin has worked on the staff of three presidential campaigns; serving as the Director of Rural Outreach for Senator Bob Graham. In 2004, Kevin joined the presidential campaign of Senator John Edwards and worked again for his campaign in 2008.

Proud Father and Husband

Nothing in his life has been as rewarding as his children : Stephen 20, Emmaly 16 and Sam 14, and new granddaughter, Kyrie, who look forward to helping him win his seat in Iowa's 4th Congressional District.

His wife Kathy, the love of his life, also looks forward to helping with the campaign