Iowa, the most intensively farmed state in the nation, needs to change the way its crops are produced, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture said Monday.

Patty Judge, state secretary of agriculture, said “we have a lot to think about [how we should be] doing things differently than today.”

Judge spoke to students, faculty and staff of the Horticulture Department. She emphasized that horticulture is extremely important to the changes she thinks are in store for the state.

Adding value to existing crops and diversifying Iowa’s agricultural base are the major changes Judge believes are necessary.

Ethanol, a corn-based fuel additive, is a good example of adding value.

“It is a good fuel that is produced in Iowa,” Judge said.

She challenged any critics of ethanol to send her a mechanic’s letter saying ethanol was detrimental to a car. She promised to buy a tank of gas for anyone who produces such a letter and said no one has done so during her four years in office.

Judge also said diversifying Iowa’s agricultural base is just as important as adding value.

“There are so many opportunities for diversification in this state, and we need to take advantage of them,” she said.

Organic crops and Iowa’s increasing grape production were major examples Judge mentioned.

“I am most proud of the organic [produce] movement,” she said.

Judge said Iowa is the only state in the Midwest to be accredited for organic standards and the demand for organic produce is growing.

This demand has risen 24 percent each year and organic produce has sold more than $8 billion nationally.

Judge’s focus on organic products worries some students.

Darin Enderton, junior in horticulture, said he will be “disappointed if people won’t buy conventionally grown produce,” which he plans to grow.

Enderton also said Judge’s other focus of diversification — grapes — also has a differing opinion.

“I think it [the trend] will diminish within the next 10 years,” he said.

However, Judge is hopeful the grape industry in Iowa will continue to grow. She said she is “amazed at the interest” in growing grape crops.

Judge also said she believes horticulture is an important growing industry in Iowa because of the changes she foresees in Iowa’s future.

Julie Vanzee, junior in horticulture, said she was encouraged by Judge’s optimism about horticulture in Iowa.

“She seemed very well-versed [in horticulture],” Vanzee said.

Judge also addressed concerns of water quality and insecticide runoff in Iowa.

“I understand as well as anybody walking the impact modern agricultural techniques has on our environment,” she said.

She said few things are more important than continuing funding for conservation, which is vital for Iowa.

Judge said these changes will be beneficial for agriculture in the state.

“The situation of agriculture today is that it’s changing,” she said. “It’s not all bad, [and we] will come out the other side with a different look to agriculture in Iowa.”