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National Corn Growers Association
In less than five decades, the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) has grown from a group that represented
a few hundred farmers in nine Midwestern states to a vibrant
association of nearly 33,000 dues-paying corn producers in 48
states. As the largest and most diverse trade association
representing corn growers, NCGA serves more than 300,000
farmers who contribute to corn checkoff programs in 20 states.
NCGA is a federation of state organizations, corn boards,
councils and commissions developing and implementing
programs and policies on the local, state and national levels to
help protect and advance the corn producer’s interests.
Much like the crop our members grow, the association enjoys a
rich history. In 1956, Iowa farmer Walter Goeppinger began to
organize with corn farmers from several states in the upper
Midwest because he believed politicians and the public alike
were largely unaware of the contributions of corn growers.
Today, NCGA and its affiliated state associations continue to
reach out to elected officials, industry leaders, trade partners
and consumers worldwide to tell the story of the nation’s corn
grower. NCGA members focus a great deal of their of resources
on six key issue areas – ethanol, research and business
development, biotechnology, farm policy and rural
development, trade and transportation. Action teams and
committees made up of growers from across the country
determine NCGA’s policies on these key issues and others.
One of NCGA’s top priorities in 2005 is to increase ethanol
demand by establishing a Renewable Fuels Standard as part of a
comprehensive energy policy. A 5-billion-gallon RFS would
reduce energy prices, enhance national energy security, help the
environment and spur rural development. NCGA’s ethanol
efforts are paying off. In 2004, Congress passed the corporate
tax bill, which included legislation that extends the ethanol tax
incentive to 2010 and redirects more than $2 billion annually
to the Highway Trust Fund. NCGA also continues to educate
consumers on the benefits of ethanol through initiatives like the
AgriTalk Ethanol Pump Tour.
NCGA is also working to develop new uses for corn through
research and business development programs. As demand for
compostable, environmentally friendly consumer items
continues to increase, corn growers are positioning themselves
to take advantage of new market opportunities. In 2004,
NCGA announced an initiative in which Monsanto, Ceres Inc.
and Pioneer agreed to provide their corn genome sequencing
data to a centralized database managed by NCGA. The corn
genome could now be completely sequenced by 2007, years
ahead of previous estimates.
The association is also recognized as the leading voice for corn
growers in the area of biotechnology. NCGA participates in
biotech missions to foreign countries to interact with
international government leaders and agriculture decision
makers who want to learn more about biotechnology. Last year NCGA leaders
traveled to the European Union, Russia and
other countries to discuss the use of biotech crops. We also
introduced the Insect Resistance Management Learning Center,
an online education tool that provides training on proper
biotechnology stewardship.
Farm policy and its impact on rural development is also a top
priority for NCGA. We ensure corn growers are fairly
represented in discussions of the farm bill and promote
government policy that allows U.S. growers to compete in a
global economy. Last year, NCGA conducted a comprehensive
survey to get producer feedback on how to improve the
selection of crop insurance and other risk management tools.
Our Future Structure of Agriculture Task Force also completed
work on a report called “Taking Ownership of Grain Belt
Agriculture.” The report, which offers recommendations for
moving growers further into the value chain, will be publicly
released Feb. 24 at Commodity Classic in Austin, Texas.
NCGA and its state associations also work to open new markets
and protect existing opportunities through trade programs. The
association supports ratification of the Central America and
Morocco Free Trade Agreements, both of which are expected to
increase export opportunities for U.S. corn growers. We actively
monitor trade agreement negotiations to ensure corn grower
interests are protected. In 2004, several of our members testified before
House and Senate committees on the importance of
trade to the U.S. corn sector.
Transportation issues are also critically important to corn
growers. NCGA continues to push for authorization of new
navigation locks on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers to
replace the antiquated, undersized structures that cause costly
shipping delays. Corn growers attended numerous public
hearings in 2004 to voice their support of modern, well-
maintained locks.
In addition to these key issues, NCGA is a leading voice in
helping to communicate the story of U.S. farmers and ranchers.
The enormous contributions farmers make to the quality of life
in America are often overlooked, and NCGA is doing its part to
inform consumers about the role of agriculture in the nation’s
future. We also collaborate with other farm groups to defend
agriculture against unfounded attacks.
To learn more about NCGA’s programs and policies, or to
become a member contact:
National Corn Growers Association
632 Cepi Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63005
636/733-9004
www.ncga.com |
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