U.S. corn farmers are committed to continuous improvement in the production of corn, a versatile crop providing abundant high-quality food, feed, renewable energy, biobased products and ecosystem services. As stewards of the land, we understand the responsibility we have for creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable world for future generations with transparency and through continued advances and efficiencies in land, water and energy use.
NCGA's mission is to create and grow opportunities for corn growers. Part of that work is building meaningful relationships that help us better connect with and understand our consumers, policymakers, staff and grower leaders, all while owning and telling our own story and recognizing that corn is a viable global product.
U.S. corn farmers are committed to conservation and their role as stewards of the land. Through advances in science, technology and precision equipment, growers are focused more than ever on improving resiliency and efficiency. Building on past achievements, U.S. corn growers are committed to the following sustainability achievements by 2030:
Farmers for Soil Health (FHS) is a collaborative initiative led by United Soybean Board (USB), National Pork Board (NPB), and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in partnership with state commodity groups and conservation organizations. The program aims to improve soil health by doubling the adoption of cover crops to reach 30 million U.S. acres by 2030. Incentive payments are supported by a $95 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant. Farmers in 20-states can receive incentive payments for planting cover crops, along with receiving dedicated technical advisors to offer guidance and answer questions about transitioning fields to successful cover crop adoption.
Visit Farmers for Soil Health for more information about eligible states, resources on cover crops, and how to enroll online for cover crop payments.
U.S. corn farmers are stewards of the land who are committed to pillars of environmental, social and economic sustainability. As the largest sector in American agriculture, NCGA and the 300,000 corn farmers they represent understand their collective responsibility to foster a more sustainable future through continued advances and efficiencies in land, water and energy use.
Corn is a versatile crop providing abundant high-quality food, feed, renewable energy, biobased products and ecosystem services. As corn farmers, we are committed to continuous improvement, always evaluating how we can do better.
By joining forces with organizations in both the private and public sectors, we are bolstering productivity and profitability across the broad agricultural landscape. Through industry and stakeholder collaboration, NCGA is helping to propel advancement much further and much faster than any of us can do alone in navigating a vast climate-smart agriculture future.
Please take a look at these continued advancements and efforts which are being led by NCGA’s Action Teams:
PROGRAM ROADMAP: A POCKET GUIDE TO SUSTAINABILITY
The NCGA Land Use Environmental Sustainability Goal is most closely aligned with the following SDGs and targets:
UNSDG 2: Zero Hunger
2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
UNSDG 12: Responsible Consumption
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
UNSDG 15: Life on Land
15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
The NCGA Soil Conservation Environmental Sustainability Goal is most closely aligned with the following SDGs and targets:
UNSDG 2: Zero Hunger
2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
UNSDG 12: Responsible Consumption
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
The NCGA Irrigation Water Use Environmental Sustainability Goal is most closely aligned with the following SDGs and targets:
UNSDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
UNSDG 12: Responsible Consumption
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
The NCGA Energy Use Environmental Sustainability Goal is most closely aligned with the following SDGs and targets:
UNSDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
The NCGA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Environmental Sustainability Goal is most closely aligned with the following SDG and target:
UNSDG 13: Climate Action
13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Sustainability News
July 26, 2024
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Arians Joins NCGA as VP, Sustainable ProductionThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced today that Sean Arians has joined the...
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Corn Grower Leaders Call on Biden Administration to Tie U.S. Tax Decisions on Aviation Biofuels to Government’s Emissions ModelAsserting that U.S. tax policy should be tied to the best standards the government has to offer,...
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Enroll Now: Farmers for Soil Health Offers Financial Assistance for Cover Crop AdoptionThe farmer-led, farmer-driven initiative offers cost-share programs and technical assistance to...
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$13.6 Million Grants Boost Technical Assistance for Farmers Adopting Cover Crops Through Farmers for Soil HealthFarmers adopting cover crops through Farmers for Soil Health can look forward to enhanced...
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Breaking New Ground with Yield Contest’s Newest OpportunityThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is proud to announce the expansion of the National...
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NCGA Partnership Grant Will Increase Cover Crops, Mitigate RiskThe National Corn Growers Association looks forward to seeing the next steps that will be taken...
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Coalition Releases Farm Bill Policy Recommendations to Help Create Economic Opportunities and Address Climate ChangeThe Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance today released policy recommendations for the 2023...
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Butterfly Habitat Brings Beauty and Biodiversity!Guest Contributor: Rachel Bush - Private Lands Conservation Programs Manager with Pheasants...
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Collaboration Will Propel AdvancementsField to Market has released the third edition of its annual report, Climate Action in U.S....
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Shared Core Values through the Lens of SustainabilityLast week, members of National Corn Grower Association’s (NCGA) Corn Sustainability Advisory...
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The Success in Stewardship Network – Honoring 2022’s Recipients at #Classic22A segment of the panel will be featured on the U.S. Farm Report on Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m....
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Sustainability Series Geared to Help Corn in “Getting to Goal”In support of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) mission to create and increase...
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National Butterfly Day + First Day of Spring = Practically Perfect Pollinator PlanningLet’s talk environmental equations! March 14th’s National Butterfly Day plus March 20th’s first...
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New Report Details Work of Farmers in Addressing Water Quality Along Mississippi River BasinA report released this week by the Agricultural Nutrient Policy Council details the work of...
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Allen-Tully Appointed to USDA’s NAREEE Advisory BoardOn October 28, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 14...
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USDA Announces New Climate ProjectThe Secretary of Agriculture announced today that the administration will launch a new...
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NCGA Supports Reintroduction of Senate Climate Policy LegislationThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the bipartisan reintroduction of the...
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NCGA Joins Food and Agriculture Climate AllianceThe Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) today announced expanded membership, including...
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Study Shows Precision Agriculture Improves Environmental Stewardship While Increasing YieldsAssociation of Equipment Manufacturers Releases “Environmental Benefits of Precision...
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NCGA to Rollout Several Major Sustainability Initiatives in 2021Showcasing farmers growing commitment to sustainability will be a major goal for the National...
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