In The News

Aug 1, 2023

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced today the hiring of Jennifer Sharkey as Membership Operations Manager. In this role, Sharkey will be responsible for implementing and administering NCGA’s Customer Relationship Management System and will play a key role in membership recruitment and retention strategy.   Jenn brings over 16 years of experience in association membership, chapter management, and database management. Jenn’s focus on member management and customer service has allowed her to use those skills to support members at the national and chapter level. Most recently, Jenn led a team of staff during an association-wide migration to a new database and has spent the last 3 years molding and updating the database to meet the association’s needs as well as training and guiding staff.    "We are thrilled to have Jenn join our team," said Gaylen Holloway, Director of Member Insights and Engagement. "Her experience and expertise in membership management will be...

Oct 17, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) works every day to build a brighter future for farmers. To support the education of today’s youth as they grow into the ag leaders of tomorrow, NCGA invites eligible students to apply for the 2023 Scholarship Programs. NCGA is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences:   Technical School/Community College Scholarship Program 5 - $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing a degree at a technical school or community college  NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Program NCGA and BASF Corporation will provide 5 - $1,500 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in any field.  Graduate Student Scholarship Program 2 - $2,500 scholarship for a graduate student whose area of study will benefit the corn sector.   “Scholarships provide an opportunity to help further innovative, bright young minds that will energize the agricultural industry well into...

Aug 15, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

Corn growers from across the country gathered in St. Louis, Mo. for the first session of the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Leadership Academy.   “This year’s Leadership Academy class had participants from 11 states, all dedicated to personal development for the advancement of our industry,” said Lowell Neitzel, Chair of the Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team.   Attendees completed an intensive session on excellence in leadership, polished their professionalism and presentation skills, completed media training, and networked with fellow industry members.   “Leadership Academy aims to enhance corn growers’ personal leadership skills, improve their abilities to serve their state organizations, and equip them to be advocates for the corn sector,” Neitzel said. “It’s important for us to build the next generation of industry leaders.”   The second session of the program will be held in Washington, D.C. in January 2023 where participants will learn the ins and...

Jul 22, 2022

Key Issues: Production

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has launched a call-to-action asking advocates to submit comments to EPA in response to the recent announcement that they are revising the registration for atrazine.   On June 30, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are amending the registration of this well-studied herbicide that allows farmers to do more with less. The new level of concern for atrazine will vastly reduce the herbicide's effectiveness, hindering farmers' ability to utilize this critical tool.   “Corn growers know the value of atrazine, and it is time again that we tell EPA the value of this product to our operations,” said Iowa Farmer and NCGA President Chris Edgington. “In 2016, we came together to submit 10,000 comments to the EPA, and we need that same momentum again.”   Comments can be submitted to EPA here, and advocates are encouraged to include information about how the proposed level of concern would impact their individual...

Jun 10, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

Are you interested in enhancing your leadership skills to help advance the priorities of our nation's corn growers? If so, apply today for NCGA’s Leadership Academy.   Leadership Academy brings together a diverse group of grower leaders. It focuses on various aspects of leadership training and key policy issues in a world with ever-changing consumer and environmental demands. The program is open to any NCGA member seeking to improve their leadership skills.   “Leadership Academy is an incredible opportunity for those looking to enhance their leadership skills and take a larger role in advocating for the corn industry,” said NCGA Chairman and Leadership Academy Alum John Linder. “Participating in Leadership Academy opened my eyes to the opportunities to better serve my state organization, the national organization and the entire corn sector.”   Leadership Academy consists of two sessions, one three-day program in St. Louis, Mo.  (August 2022) and one in Washington, D.C....

May 4, 2022

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Gaylen Holloway

Are you concerned about the rising input costs of your operation?   In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s public comment period on Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns, the National Corn Growers Association has launched a call-to-action to aid corn growers in raising a collective voice on this important and timely matter.   “We need a unified message if we’re going to effectively reach Washington decision-makers on this important issue,” said NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Brooke S. Appleton. “That’s why it’s critical that corn growers take this opportunity to submit comments to USDA, including detailed information about how rising input costs are impacting their operation.”   The call-to-action encourages corn growers to comment specifically on accessibility, price volatility and market competition.   You can submit comments directly to USDA here. The public comment period closes on Monday, May 16.   This opportunity gives us a...

Apr 6, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

A committee of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) grower leaders has selected the finalist for the 2022 NCGA Scholarship Programs. As a result, eleven students will be awarded scholarships for the fall 2022 semester. NCGA is proud to support these programs in partnership with BASF Corporation. Learn more about the program winners below and read their full bios here.   Graduate Student Scholarship Winner: Carlos Bonini Pires, Kansas State University   William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Winners: Sponsored by BASF Corporation Valerie Bohuslavsky, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ashley Hagenow, University of Minnesota Ross Herber, South Dakota State University Lane Remmich, West Texas A&M University Maleia Ryberg, Minnesota State University, Mankato   Technical School and Community College Scholarship Winners: Grace Dinius, North Dakota State College of Science Liliana Hill, Ellsworth Community College Bailey Lennemann, Central Community...

Mar 2, 2022

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The Advocating for Corn Effectively (ACE) Series brought together grower leaders from 12 states to further develop their advocacy skills. The program is designed to create prepared, informed, and effective advocates to carry the message of corn growers to elected officials across the nation.   This three-part virtual series covered How Congress Really Works, Effective Advocacy, and Becoming a Trusted Resource. Participants heard directly from congressional staff, leaders at the Congressional Management Foundation, and completed training on virtual and in-person professionalism. Those who completed the program are now empowered to fully engage in the political process.   The ACE Series is just one of NCGA’s leadership and grassroots programs. You can learn more about NCGA’s Leadership Programs and Grassroots Advocacy efforts on NCGA’s website or by contacting Gaylen Holloway at holloway@ncga.com.    

Feb 9, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association’s Leadership Academy in Washington D.C. brought together grower leaders from across the Corn Belt to learn more about the ins and outs of engaging in the political process.   “This second session of our Leadership Academy is meant to help grower leaders hone their skills to engage in meaningful conversations with their members of Congress and prepare them to be advocates for their operations and industry,” said NCGA Chairman John Linder. “These programs are invaluable for the industry because they help us better articulate issues that impact corn farmers every day in Washington D.C.”   Attendees participated in an issues briefing held by NCGA D.C. staff on a number of topics, including Climate Change and Environment, Transportation, Ethanol, Trade and Domestic Biotech, Farm Programs and Taxes, CornPAC and Grassroots Politics. They also heard from Hill staffers and other association and industry lobbyists. There was also an Election Update...

Jan 28, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

NCGA is proud to support 3 scholarship programs for 3 distinct audiences:    Technical School/Community College Scholarship Program    NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Program   Graduate Student Scholarship Program     “In order to ensure a strong rural economy for years to come, we must invest in the next generation of agriculture leaders,” said Membership, Communication, and Engagement Action Team Chair Lowell Neitzel. “NCGA grower-members are committed to opening doors for students who are passionate about serving rural America.”    To apply, students or a parent/guardian must be a member of the NCGA. Past scholarship winners and employees and the families of employees of any division of BASF or their subsidiaries or the NCGA are not eligible for the scholarship.   Don’t miss your chance to apply, the scholarship application deadline is Monday, January 31, 2022.     More detailed information about the 2022 Scholarship Programs can be found on

Jan 14, 2022

Author: Gaylen Holloway

Interested in enhancing your advocacy skills? Apply for the 2022 ACE Series by Friday, January 21st.   NCGA’s ACE Series (Advocating for Corn Effectively) is designed to create prepared, informed, and effective advocates to carry the message of corn growers’ public policy priorities to elected officials across the nation.   This virtual program will be conducted in a series of three live modules.   How Congress Really Works -- Friday, February 4th 9:00 am – 11:00 am EST Effective Advocacy -- Friday, February 11th 9:00 am – 11:00 am EST Becoming a Trusted Resource -- Friday, February 18th 9:00 am – 11:00 am EST   If you have questions regarding the program or would like to apply, email Gaylen Holloway at holloway@ncga.com.  

Dec 2, 2021

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association and its members are proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences. These programs support students who are passionate about agriculture and are looking to build careers that support the agriculture sector. Qualified students will receive scholarship funding for the fall 2022 semester.   The three programs include:    Five $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing a technical school or community college degree. Five $1,500 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in any field, provided by BASF Corporation and NCGA. One $2,500 scholarship for a graduate student whose area of study will benefit the corn sector. To apply, students or a parent/guardian must be a member of the NCGA. In addition, past scholarship winners and employees and the families of employees of any division of BASF or their subsidiaries or the NCGA are not eligible for the scholarship.   Applications are currently open, and...

Oct 13, 2021

Author: Gaylen Holloway

The National Corn Growers Association is now accepting applications for the 2022 Scholarship Programs. NCGA is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences:    Technical School/Community College Scholarship Program    NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Program   Graduate Student Scholarship Program     “In order to ensure a strong rural economy for years to come, we must invest in the next generation of agriculture leaders,” said Membership, Communication, and Engagement Action Team Chair Lowell Neitzel. “NCGA grower-members are committed to opening doors for students who are passionate about serving rural America.”     To apply, students or a parent/guardian must be a member of the NCGA. Past scholarship winners and employees and the families of employees of any division of BASF or their subsidiaries or the NCGA are not eligible for the scholarship.   Applications are currently open, and the scholarship application...