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NCGA urges farmers and all interested parties to contact the EPA by May 21 to support an increase in the allowable ethanol blend for gasoline.
 
This is crucial for the corn ethanol industry and to support energy security and a vibrant rural economy.

 
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FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
WASHINGTON REPORT

Trade Meeting

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, right, greets NCGA First Vice President Darrin Ihnen, center, and Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett.
 
NCGA Meets with U.S. Trade Representative
 
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Darrin Ihnen met with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk, this week to discuss the importance of trade. Also attending the meeting was NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett.
 
"Trade is a vital part of the agriculture sector and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to share those views with Ambassador Kirk," Ihnen said. "During our meeting, Ambassador Kirk showed interest and knowledge of the importance of trade to agriculture and we look forward to working with him and his staff on this issue in the future."
 
D.C. Forum Gets NCGA Front-and-Center 
 
NCGA executives and staff talked about a host of issues, such as the pending request to blend higher rates of ethanol into conventional gasoline, at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch Issue Forum, held this week.
   
ACRE Program Signups Now Under Way
 
NCGA reminds growers that signup for the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) began Monday, April 27. The ACRE program was included in the 2008 farm bill and represents a fundamental reform in the farm safety net. Sign up ends on August 14.
 
Click here to visit NCGA's ACRE Program Resource Center. 
 
NATIONAL NEWS
Cap-and-Trade Work Group Created
 
At the direction of the NCGA Corn Board, the association's Production and Stewardship Action Team has kicked off a new work group to devote time and energy to dealing with cap-and-trade issues facing corn farmers as Washington considers legislation dealing with climate change and seeks ways to reduce carbon emissions.
 
In March, NCGA joined several other agricultural organizations to outline nine key principles that are vital to the farm economy regarding greenhouse gas cap-and-trade legislation.
 
Media Call Focuses on Corn Issues 
 
Click to listen to related audioIn a media conference call April 30 sponsored by the Corn Farmers Coalition, NCGA and others talked about some key issues facing corn farmers, especially the need for higher ethanol blends and the farm bill's Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. Representing NCGA on the call was First Vice President Darrin Ihnen. He stressed the need to expand ethanol use for energy security and to provide more of a market for farmers.
 
Meet Bill Chase, Corn Board Candidate
 
Bill ChaseThis is the first in a series of profiles of candidates for the NCGA Corn Board. The election will be held at July's Corn Congress in Washington.
 
Bill Chase, of Wolsey, S.D., is president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, a member of the NCGA Public Policy Action Team, and former chairman of the NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team.