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Friday, January 28, 2011
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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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Field Notes Opens the Farm Gate and Introduces the True Faces of Modern American Agriculture

Tom MartinThe National Corn Growers Association launches Field Notes, a series that will follow a handful of corn farmers from across the country from winter planting preparations through harvest, today.  While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.

In this first installment, Off the Cob speaks with Tom Martin, a fifth-generation farmer in Mount Pulaski, Ill.  In 1982, he joined his father and brother in growing mainly corn and soybeans.  Living with his wife and children in the house where both he and his father grew up, Martin still works the family farm - a fact that is not surprising when one considers that more than 90 percent of all U.S. corn is grown on family farms.

Martin enjoys the sense of rootedness, history and culture that living in a smaller town offers but also benefits from his operations close proximity to larger towns, like Peoria and Decatur, Ill.  He notes that many farmers in his area find such a situation ideal as it allows a spouse to take a job off of the farm should they choose while allowing them to carry-on what is often a multi-generation family legacy of farming.

Not only is Martin following in his father and grandfather's footsteps as a farmer, he upholds the value of volunteerism and community involvement to others that they instilled in him.  Currently, he is Chairman of his town 175-year anniversary celebration which will feature a variety events being held throughout 2011. 

"I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that valued a community and felt that giving back to it is important," said Martin. "I have found that the strong majority of people from rural areas feel the same way."

Martin also speaks about the amazing changes that have revitalized farming communities over the past two decades and of how he, and many like him, are banding together to help make the dream of coming home to work the family farm a reality for today's youth.

"Many of the young men and women who want to come back to the farm face serious financial challenges when trying to pass on the family farm from one generation to the next," Martin explained. "These obstacles have grown increasingly restrictive.  In our area, like those in many others, we are collaborating across the industry to develop ways to mentor youth and make farming an attainable goal."

While commemorating a farming past and fostering its future, Martin, like all family farmers, tends to his operation year-round.  Currently, he is preparing the ground for the 2011 corn crop, marketing what remains from 2010 and analyzing soil samples and other data to make the best possible seed selections.  These decisions are vital as farmers face a sometimes volatile commodities market.

"Most people earn a steady salary and can budget accordingly. In my grandfather's day, corn prices might fluctuate 15 cents throughout the year.  The reality is that today's market moves in dollars.  These dollars are the only thing that keeps growers profitable or adds to our bottom line," said Martin. "In this environment, you really have to stay on top of every aspect of your operation, but I think that the potential reward is great for those who run a good business."

Additionally, Martin spoke on policy issues, such as environmental regulations, that impact growers, and on other issues and opportunities on the horizon for corn farmers.

Learn about winter agriculture and meet Martin by clicking here for the full Off the Cob interview.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes introduces the growers who will open their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.

Social Media Webinar Series Kicks Off

Dozens of corn growers and others from around the country took part in the National Corn Growers Association's first social media training webinar, sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business. The online presentation was the first of 12 being held throughout the year to spotlight growing tools for communication and interaction, such as Facebook and Twitter, that farmers can use to educate non-farmers about what they do.

"As a family farmer in Nebraska who uses social media regularly, I'm excited about this program to help more growers get engaged and stand up for American agriculture," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team. "Corn growers are always looking for better tools for the field; this provides better tools for building our community and telling our story."

The Jan. 20 webinar reviewed the goals of the series and why growers should take the time to participate. The second seminar, set for 10:30 a.m. CST Thursday, Feb. 17, will be a nuts-and-bolts presentation that offers a checklist of basic skills. We will review how to create profiles on various sites, how to start building a following and social media essentials to move to the next level.

For more information and to register to receive updates, click here.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association prepared a "Corn Scoops" podcast about the webinar series. Click here to listen.

Capitol Visit

Farmers Learn, Practice Leadership Skills in Nation's Capital

This week in Washington, NCGA is introducing up-and-coming grower leaders to life in our nation's capital, as part of the association's annual Leadership Academy, sponsored by Syngenta. Grower leaders will not only learn how government works, but meet with lawmakers and talk about issues important to the industry.

"This is a great opportunity for our grower members who are moving up the ranks in leadership to learn about an important part of what NCGA does," said Darrin Ihnen, NCGA chairman and a grower from South Dakota who himself went through the program in 2003 and welcomed the group on Monday. "The work our public policy staff does here in Washington, regardless of its geographic distance from our fields and farms, is very important back home because of the power of our federal lawmakers and regulatory bodies over what we do back home on the farm."

The first part of Leadership Academy was held in Greensboro, N.C., this past August, where the sessions highlighted communications, business etiquette, public speaking, association management and media training.

For a listing of participants, click here.

Grower Team Looks at Biotechnology, Trade Agreement Developments

NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team met this week in San Antonio, Texas, for discussions and updates from industry experts. The consolidated team, formed through a merger at the beginning of the 2011 fiscal year, addressed issues across biotechnology and trade in part looking at the multitude of situations in which biotechnology policies, regulations and approvals can impact trade.

"We were very impressed with the perspective experts provided on how biotechnology and trade interests might fare in this new political landscape," said Chad Blindauer, team chair. "Our committee members were also pleased with how the new team structure allows for deeper discussions in many key areas. This more nuanced understanding of the ways in which issues interact should help us effectively overcome challenges and develop opportunities for today's farmer."

To find out more about the team and their discussions, please click here.

Corn Growers: State of the Union Touches on Key Farm Issues 

In his 2011 State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama touched on issues important to rural America and our nation's corn farmers, the National Corn Growers Association noted. This includes the role of biofuels in reducing dependence on foreign oil, the importance of pending trade agreements, and the part our farmers play in feeding the world.

"We were encouraged that President Obama spoke about the needs of rural America and the importance of our country's global leadership when it comes to agriculture," said NCGA Chairman Darrin Ihnen. "Our growers have been working hard and smart to meet all needs for food, feed and fuel and we have long recognized the need for policies and programs to grow opportunities for American farmers here at home and in markets abroad."

Specifically, Ihnen cited President Obama's mention of three free trade agreements important to the organization: South Korea, Panama and Colombia.

"We need quick action on these three agreements, which have been languishing in Washington for years," Ihnen said. "These agreements will help our country's economy by increasing exports and creating sorely-needed jobs."

Similarly, President Obama mentioned biofuels as part of a plan to "break" dependence on oil, and called for more research and incentives.

"The success of all biofuels hinges on the success of ethanol from corn - on the growth of an ethanol industry that is leading the way, sustainably increasing in economic, environmental and energy efficiency," Ihnen said.

NCGA also noted with pride the role agriculture plays in American leadership around the world, as stated by our president in his speech:

"Around the globe, we're standing with those who take responsibility -- helping farmers grow more food, supporting doctors who care for the sick, and combating the corruption that can rot a society and rob people of opportunity."

NCGA Pleased with USDA Decision Regarding Roundup Ready Alfalfa

NCGA is pleased with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to issue a full deregulation for glyphosate tolerant alfalfa events J101 and J163 as published in the Final Environmental Impact Statement this past December.

"We would like to thank Secretary Vilsack for keeping grower choice as a priority. Farmers need access to technology so that they can choose the option that is best for their farm," said NCGA Chairman Darrin Ihnen, from Hurley, S.D. "Biotechnology can improve a farm's efficiency and decrease the amount of chemical needed for that crop. We need choice to raise more food, feed, fiber and fuel for the world's growing needs."

"This is the right decision," said Jim Zimmerman, vice chairman of NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team, a grower from Rosendale, Wis. "A clean, full deregulation is the best decision for producers and lets farmers plant the kind of alfalfa they choose this spring." 

Corn Commentary New 

On NCGA's award-winning blog, Corn Commentary, our intrepid blogger takes the Wall Street Journal to task for ethanol errors