Iowa - Workers’ Rights

Definition of agricultural worker under state law:

For purposes of unemployment compensation, “agricultural labor” is defined at Iowa Code § 96.19.

Iowa has a state minimum wage law. (IA Code § 91D.1) The current minimum wage is set to match the federal minimum wage of $7.25. (IA Code § 91D.1)

Iowa state law preempts any local government from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state minimum wage.
There are multiple wage rates for different businesses. Some franchises and businesses that do not produce gross volume of $300,000 or more per year are exempt from minimum wage requirements. (Iowa Code § 91D.1)
The state minimum wage law applies to agricultural workers to the same extent as FLSA; FLSA exemptions apply. (IA Code § 91D.1(2)(a))

Iowa does not have a state law regarding overtime pay.

Iowa Division of Labor

Agricultural workers are covered by the state workers’ compensation law, but with some exceptions. Employers must provide workers’ compensation but limits coverage to certain classifications of agricultural employers or workers. Iowa state law requires agricultural employers to provide coverage if the farm’s total cash payroll in the previous year exceeds $2,500 (coverage is optional for employees who are members of the employer’s family.) (Iowa Code Ann. § 85.1(3)(6))

State Enforcement Agency:
Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation

Iowa has a state law regarding pesticide safety in agriculture. (Iowa Code § 206.1)
Suspected pesticide poisoning is a reportable illness for health care providers. Any pesticide exposure is required to be reported by physicians, hospitals, laboratories, and other health professionals. Poisoning can be reported by phone or email. (Iowa Code § 206.14; Iowa Admin. Code § 641-1)

State Enforcement Agency:
Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health Services

There is no provision (or judicial interpretation of a provision) in the state constitution that grants farmworkers the right to join and organize labor unions free from retaliation or to engage in collective bargaining with their employers.
Iowa is a ‘right to work’ state (Iowa Code 731, et seq.), meaning no person can be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment or be required to pay union dues. The statute also prohibits retaliation for union membership.