About Us
Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents approximately 35,000 dues-paying corn growers and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to help protect and advance corn growers' interests.
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NCGA is a proud promotional sponsor of America's Heartland, a weekly television program on RFD-TV and many public television stations. Click on the image above for more information.
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World of Corn Recognized for Excellence
The National Agri-Marketing Association recognized the excellence of National Corn Growers Association's 2009 World of Corn publication awarding it first place in the Unique Print Advertising Category of the Region II Best of NAMA awards program. This program honors the best work in agricultural communications for a given year.
The Corn Farmers Coalition, an alliance of NCGA and 10 state corn associations that educates Washington policy-makers on grower innovation, won two Region II Best of NAMA awards taking first place in both the Radio - Series and Public Affairs/ Issues Management Program categories.
"It's a true honor for the NCGA communications team and agencies to be recognized by our agri-marketing colleagues with these awards," said NCGA Vice President of Marketing Fred Stemme. "We take great pride in our award-winning work on behalf of our nation's corn farmers and it's wonderful to be praised for what we love to do!" NAMA is the largest professional association for professionals in the agri-marketing business. For a complete listing of 2009 Best of NAMA award winners, please click here. To learn more about NAMA, please click here.
Last Call for 2011 Corn Board Applicants
The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee reminds members that applications for the 2011 Corn Board must be submitted by Jan. 15. Through the Corn Board, members can become an integral part of the organization's leadership. Click here for the application, Click here for the application packet,which provides complete information on requirements, responsibilities and deadlines.
The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways. They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.
Nominated candidates will be introduced at the February 2010 Corn Congress meeting, held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif. Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2010 Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., and the new terms begin Oct. 1. For further information, please contact Kathy Baker at (636)733-9004.
Keeping Corn Growers Front and Center
The National Corn Growers Association's Grower Services Action Team directs the marketing of NCGA through communications, membership, and leadership and education in the service of NCGA's mission of creating and increasing opportunities for growers. In 2010, the team, again under the leadership of chair Tim Dolan, moves forward with a major campaign to increase public awareness of the work that U.S. corn growers do and the values that they hold.
The Grower Services Action team discussed priorities for 2010 during the December 2009 Action Team meetings held in St. Louis, Mo. Dolan reports that the team will focus on the farmer image and activism campaign and will remain mindful of the overall goal of gaining public support on issues critical to farmers such as cap and trade legislation and ethanol issues.
"I see this as our most important campaign in that we take a careful look at how we present ourselves to the public," said Dolan. "It also provides us with a chance to gauge how effectively we mobilize our grassroots support. Through their efforts, we are able to keep issues important to growers front and center."
To hear an audio version of this interview, please click here.
Promoting Biotech and the Future of Farming
The National Corn Growers Association's Biotechnology Working Group directs research efforts, promotes biotech acceptance and conducts informational campaigns on the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture. In 2010, the team, under the leadership of chairman Rob Korff, moves forward with efforts to promote the benefits of biotechnology while increasing farmer awareness of stewardship issues including the importance of proper refuge compliance.
The Biotechnology Working Group discussed priorities for 2010 during the December 2009 Action Team meetings held in St. Louis. The group hopes to spread the message that biotechnology provides consumers with a plentiful, consistent crop grown with methods that minimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and irrigation.
"In the past few years, technology to protect a plant's ability to reach its full potential in adverse conditions has led to increased yield stability," said Korff. "With these advances comes the responsibility to educate growers on the importance of technology and of what the long term viability of these products means to our industry."
To hear an audio version of this interview, please click here.
Setting the Stage for Increased Exports
The National Corn Growers Association's Joint Trade Policy A-Team provides support for trade agreements that will open markets for farmers. As U.S. corn is the leading coarse grain traded around the world, trade provides a valuable outlet for U.S. production, supporting domestic corn prices and enriching America's balance of trade. In 2010, the team, under the leadership of chairman Steve Yoder, will continue to work toward a trade policy that provides farmers with open access to potential markets.
The Joint Trade Policy A-Team discussed priorities for 2010 during the December 2009 action team meetings held in St. Louis. The team continually plays a vital role in supporting NCGA's mission of increasing opportunities for growers through facilitating exports.
"Our team works to create and increase trade opportunities for growers," said Yoder. "In providing a market for ever increasing corn crops, we support prices and benefit our nation's trade balance."
To hear an audio version of this interview, please click here.
Protecting Grower Interests in the Air, Land and Water
The National Corn Growers Association's Production and Stewardship Action Team provides leadership to the organization in addressing issues related to corn production, environmental stewardship, transportation and livestock issues. Additionally, this team conducts the popular NCGA National Corn Yield Contest. In 2010, the team, under the leadership of chairman Steve Ebke, will continue assessing the impact of climate legislation and regulations on agriculture, seeking appropriations to improve vital waterways and supporting advances in production technology.
The Production and Stewardship action team discussed priorities for 2010 during the December 2009 Action Team meetings held in St. Louis. The team continually plays a important role in supporting NCGA's mission of increasing opportunities for growers.
Given the impact that cap and trade legislation could have on U.S. agriculture, Ebke indicated that his team's top priority will be participating in climate change discussions on Capitol Hill.
To hear an audio version of this interview, please click here. |
Traditional Farming Secures Food Supply
By Bart Schott NCGA First Vice President
When people discuss the pros and cons of modern agriculture vs. organic practices it makes me think of the song "The Farmer and the Cowmen" from the popular musical "Oklahoma" which says "the cattlemen and farmers should be friends."
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends,
One man likes to push a plough,
The other likes to chase a cow,
But that's no reason why they cain't be friends.
Likewise, organic and mainstream farmers service needed and complementary markets. As a farmer, having marketing choices and diversity is not only a good idea; it is essential to profitability. It also gives consumers options. In that respect, organic farming is no different from agritourism, specialty grains or a host of novel and creative ideas that make farming a vital and evolving profession.
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This Week's NCGA Blog Highlights
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A Look at the Week Ahead... |
January 11-15
- On Monday, Jan. 11, the National Corn Growers Association will release its annual report for the 2009 fiscal year, themed "Stepping Up." NCGA Director of Public Policy Rod Snyder will attend the Michigan Agribusiness Meeting.
- On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture releases its annual crop production report. Presently, corn growers are expected to have harvested a near-record crop (almost 13 billion bushels) with a record yield of 162.9 bushels per acre. Also on Tuesday, the 111th Congress reconvenes for its second session.
- On Wednesday, Jan. 13, NCGA opens its annual Priority and Policy Conference in St. Louis, where grower-leaders gather to discuss priorites for 2010 and 2011 as well as consider changes in the organization's policy statements. This meeting will continue into Thursday, Jan, 14. NCGA Corn Board meetings also take place.
- On Friday, Jan. 15, applications for the 2011 Corn Board are due to NCGA by 5 p.m. CST.
- On Friday, NCGA Director of Production, Stewardship and Livestock Max Starbuck and Production and Stewardship Action Team Chair Steve Ebke will attend the State Agricultural and Rural Leaderes conference in Orlando.
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