Cloar Believes Membership is Key to NCGA (5-5-06)

If elected as a member of the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Board, John Cloar hopes to work through the upcoming farm bill, expand the new uses for corn, increase membership levels and push members to become more involved in NCGA.

“It all starts with membership,” said Cloar. “It’s something we need to maintain and improve when we can. I would like to see NCGA increase our participation from states in the South. Our membership and production comes out of Midwest, but we have to realize that on ag issues we need the support of senators and representatives from other states. We need to do a better job of recruiting to bring in the smaller-producing states.”

Cloar operates a row crop farm, growing mostly dryland corn, soybeans and wheat in Dyersburg, Tenn. His family is also involved in a cow calf and feeder calf partnership. He is a member of the Grower Services Action Team. He has also served as president of the Tennessee Corn Growers Association, on the Dyer County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and as a Future Farmers of America state officer.

Cloar believes the Corn Board needs representation from states of all sizes and regions. He says he will bring a different perspective as his family was not active in farming when he was growing up. He is interested in taking steps now to ensure producers’ financial security now and for the future.

Cloar thinks the job of a Corn Board member is to listen to all parties and decide what is best for the group. He believes the Corn Board should maintain a national perspective.

Cloar says he lives in a state that grows nearly all of the major program crops and that dealing with several commodities and opposing viewpoints is one of his strong attributes. He believes agriculture needs to provide a united front in order to maintain its current level of public and government support. He believes all corn growers need to be vocal advocates for their industry.

“The upcoming farm bill debate is key. We realize there are going to be concessions made by all sides, but we have to do what we can to maintain the farm safety net and programs as much as we can.”

Delegates to NCGA’s Corn Congress July 13-14 in Washington, D.C., will vote on five new members for the Corn Board.