Davenport Wants More Value-added Opportunities for Corn Growers (5-19-06)

If elected as a member of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board, Guy Davenport will work to find more value-added opportunities from corn for producers and use his experience in international marketing to make NCGA better.

Davenport and his family raise corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and produce in Creswell, N.C. He also has a grain dealership, Newland Commodities. He has served as North Carolina Corn Growers Association president, as a member of the North Carolina Corn Growers Association Corn Board, as North Carolina representative to U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and on USGC’s Asia Advisory Team.

Davenport said he has always had a desire to help his fellow farmers to find new and better methods of doing things. He says he is a good listener who is able to resolve issues. He believes in taking action and in presenting better opportunities for corn growers.

“I think I am a good listener who is able to build a consensus from the group,” said Davenport. “I want to make sure NCGA continues to find new and different markets and get more value-enhanced opportunities for our growers.”

He believes a Corn Board member should have a personality and experience from other leadership roles that allows him or her to work well with others. Davenport believes a Corn Board member should be open-minded to the possibilities of value-added opportunities as technology evolves to make corn a renewable energy source.

Davenport says NCGA is a trustworthy association in representing its growers and making sure corn is a profitable commodity. He thinks his experience as a member of the USGC Asia Advisory Team and working on trade issues with Canada are valuable attributes.

“A big interest of mine over the years has been international marketing. The experience I’ve had with the U.S. Grains Council, the North Carolina Potato Association and in dealing with trade issues with Canada will help me as a Corn Board member if I am elected.”

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