NCGA Announces Board Candidates for 2014

Eight corn growers from around the country have been nominated for election to the National Corn Growers Association's Corn Board for the 2014 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. New board members will be elected by state delegates at the Corn Congress this July in Washington.

"We appreciate the interest and dedication of the corn farmers who want to be active in our association and help lead it," said Garry Niemeyer, NCGA chairman and chair of the nominating committee. "We once again have a great slate of candidates that will serve our industry well. We wish them all the best and thank them for getting involved."

To read about the candidates, click here.

Renewable Fuel Standard a Priority for NCGA

In a panel presentation this week, National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman highlighted the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard to help increase and guarantee a vibrant domestic renewable fuel market.

"We cannot underestimate the importance of the RFS," Tolman said. "It cut imported oil and serves as the basis for investment in infrastructure growth. It's the single biggest reason for the prosperity across all of agriculture since its inception. It also has lowered fuel costs for consumers and created hundreds of thousands of jobs across America."

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Report Projects Higher U.S. Corn Surplus

More U.S. corn will be available than previously forecast, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released earlier today. Revising corn ending stock projections upward by 30 million bushels, the report also indicates that a 20 million bushel rise in corn use projections for sweeteners and starch.

"As the picture of the current corn supply continues to become more clear, we are seeing the markets are adjusting," said National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson. "U.S. farmers faced a tough drought but, due to biotechnology and enhanced production practices, we brought in a crop unimaginable under similar circumstances only decades ago."

Farmers Come Together to Gain Insight, Formulate Recommendations 

Grower leaders from across the country gathered in St. Louis this week to explore a variety of issues that will affect corn farmers in the upcoming year and to determine a course for National Corn Growers Association activities to support them. For three days, members of five of NCGA's issue-focused action teams and committees listened to reports from industry experts and discussed programs to guide NCGA staff as they work on behalf of growers.

"These meetings play an important role in that they allow specialized teams to focus on their area of expertise and guide programs with a comprehensive, detailed understanding of the issues," said NCGA President Pam Johnson. "It is inspiring to see the passion these volunteer leaders bring to their duties and to converse with such knowledgeable industry experts. As a farmer, I feel confident that they will lead us in the right direction."

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CommonGround Volunteers Introduce Fellow Farmers to Movement

Last week, attendees of the Wisconsin Corn and Soy Expo met the faces that will represent their state's farmers through the CommonGround program during an informational session held in conjunction with the event. Previewing the grassroots movement, orchestrated through the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board and their state affiliates, the interactive presentation highlighted how the CommonGround movement has grown as more and more women who buy food look for answers about how it was produced and the women who grow food open their farms and a dialogue to help them find answers.

"It was really exciting to see how farmers previously unfamiliar with CommonGround reacted to the questions and ideas posed during the presentation," said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair Jim Zimmerman, who farms in Rosendale, Wisc. "The idea that these women open themselves to a real, honest discussion, promising only to remain positive and inclusive, felt exciting and empowering. CommonGround provides the tools for these volunteers, but their lives and experience are at the heart of the movement. With so much anti-ag propaganda, the idea of sincere, passionate discussions is refreshing."

For the full story, click here.