In The News

Jun 16, 2022

Author: Neil Caskey

The National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board has elected Harold Wolle to become the organization's next first vice president for the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2022.   Wolle grows corn and soybeans on his farm in Madelia, Minnesota, with his son, Matt.    “I’m honored to serve America’s corn farmers as an NCGA officer,” said Wolle. “With all the unfinished business we have in Washington right now on ethanol, trade and farm policy, it’s a critical time for our industry. Expectations of what we need to get done are high, and October can’t get here soon enough for me. I look forward to partnering with corn farmers on all these issues we must tackle as part of the NCGA team.”   Wolle currently chairs the NCGA’s Finance Committee. Prior to that, Harold served as president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and chairman of the Watonwan Farm Service/Central Farm Service Coop Board.   You can learn more about Wolle Read More

Feb 15, 2022

Author: Neil Caskey

If the events of 2020 felt like a rollercoaster ridden too soon after lunch, then 2021 was more of a Ferris wheel that steadily ascended through the summer as corn prices recovered and gradually descended as the pandemic began to impose its will on our economy.    To that end, this report highlights what went down in 2021 while also looking ahead at where we’re going in 2022.    Click here for the 2021 Annual Report.

Sep 7, 2021

Author: Neil Caskey

The Corn Board recently confirmed Kelly Harsh of Ohio as its newest director. Kelly grows corn and soybeans on her family operation in Delaware, Ohio.   Kelly will serve a one-year term on the Corn Board, a position that opened up when Dennis McNinch resigned his seat to spend more time with his family and on his farm.   “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board, but the demands of the farm have forced me to focus my attention on it right now. I’ve served with Kelly and know she’ll be an outstanding addition to the board,” said McNinch.   A Certified Public Accountant and crop insurance agent, she is the current president of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association. Kelly also serves on the NCGA Ethanol Action Team, among other things.   “I am humbled and honored that the NCGA Corn Board has appointed me to serve on the board,” said Harsh. “I look forward to working hard to advance an industry that works hard to provide food, fiber and fuel for the...

Aug 12, 2021

Author: Neil Caskey

Lovers of all things corn, baseball and America are in for a real treat tonight when the Chicago White Sox play the New York Yankees in the MLB at Field of Dreams game presented by GEICO. The game will be played at a newly constructed ballpark adjacent to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa and broadcast nationally on FOX.    “This is the first time two professional sports franchises will play a game in a field of corn. This is a big stage, and America’s corn farmers will be proud of how America’s crop will be portrayed tonight,” said NCGA President John Linder, a corn farmer from Ohio.    NCGA’s partnership of this event is made possible through the generous support of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB)and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). Tune in to your local FOX affiliate at 6:00 pm CDT to watch it.   

Jun 3, 2021

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Neil Caskey

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-GA) sent a letter yesterday to President Biden expressing his concerns to proposed changes in tax policy that would eliminate the stepped-up basis provisions used by farmers. The letter resulted from a conversation Chairman Scott had with the Corn Board last month on taxes and other priorities.    “We appreciate Chairman Scott’s leadership on preserving the stepped-up basis protections in the tax code for America’s corn farmers and stand ready to help him defend our farms and families from harmful taxation,” said NCGA President John Linder.    

Jun 2, 2021

Author: Neil Caskey

Last month, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that the National Corn Growers Association is an official partner of MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO. The game will be played at a newly constructed ballpark adjacent to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa on Thursday, August 12th and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.   Want to go to the game? Join the corn growers by July 8, 2021, and you’ll be entered into a random drawing to win two tickets to see MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO between the New York YankeesTM and the Chicago White SoxTM on August 12th, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. Click here for official contest rules.    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  Void where prohibited. Restrictions apply; see NCGA.com for details. Sponsor: The National Corn Growers Association.  

May 20, 2021

Key Issues: Ethanol

Author: Neil Caskey

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry.  The report is in response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad which directed USDA to collect stakeholder input on how to best use programs, funding and financing capacities to encourage the voluntary adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.    The report focuses on USDA’s commitment to developing tools to assist farmers in quantifying benefits of climate smart practices and supporting research and data collection to support carbon measurement and verification capabilities. The progress report mentions that USDA could help support carbon credit prices but emphasizes the use of private markets to compensate farmers for practices.   The document acknowledges the role of agriculture in decarbonizing the transportation sector and stated, “The growth of the U.S. biofuels sector, driven in part by...

May 19, 2021

Author: Neil Caskey

Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has agreed to become an official partner of this summer’s MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO event. The game will be played at a newly constructed ballpark adjacent to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa on Thursday, August 12th and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.   “NCGA brings an authentic voice of the American corn farmer to this unprecedented game,” said Bill Morningstar, MLB Executive Vice President, Sponsorship Sales. “This organization is a perfect fit to sponsor a game nestled in a cornfield, just like the film we will celebrate. We are delighted to welcome the NCGA on board as an official partner of an event that will be memorable for all sports fans.”   The game between two historic franchises – the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees – will be played, as in the film from Universal Pictures, amongst fields of Iowa corn, in all its mid-August...

Apr 19, 2021

Key Issues: Farm Policy

Author: Neil Caskey

“We’re pleased to learn President Biden has nominated Robert Bonnie to be the next Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA. This is an important mission area to America’s corn farmers. And we look forward to working with him on COVID recovery, disaster relief, risk management tools, and conservation programs,” said NCGA President John Linder.

Mar 2, 2021

Author: Neil Caskey

2020 Hindsight   None of us will ever forget 2020. The year started off strong with a string of policy successes, bottomed out in the middle and finished off strong as our markets began to rebound. Through it all, the National Corn Growers Association remained steadfast in our mission and delivered a series of wins for America’s corn farmers.    Click here to read about some of these wins in our 2020 Annual Report.

Oct 1, 2020

Author: Neil Caskey

Happy New Year! Administratively speaking, it’s a new year at NCGA. And with that comes new leadership. Today, John Linder, a corn farmer from Ohio, takes over as president of NCGA.    Click on the video to see what John wants to get done in the year ahead.      

Apr 10, 2020

Key Issues: COVID-19

Author: Neil Caskey

NCGA Family,   A few weeks ago, you heard from us about NCGA actions surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As we continue to monitor the virus’s impact on farm country, we wanted to provide an update on steps taken by NCGA to help mitigate the impact of this crisis on agriculture.   As we shared previously, a Task Force was formed and has been meeting regularly to prioritize the immediate and longer-term needs of corn growers.   NCGA played an active role in the development of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The wide-ranging legislation includes funding for USDA to assist agriculture producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, along with a number of small business programs that farmers can utilize.   We know there are many outstanding questions on how corn farmers can navigate these new programs and we encourage you to contact your individual lender for additional information. NCGA is also working closely with members of...

Jan 6, 2020

Author: Neil Caskey

Happy New Year. Creating demand for corn remains our focus as we turn the page on a new calendar year. In 2020, these specific areas of focus include:   Increasing sales of higher ethanol blends by introducing legislation to establish a federal low carbon, high octane fuel standard for automobiles. Securing top export markets for U.S. corn by completing USMCA and riding that momentum to build new markets.  Building consumer trust in corn production methods so that we can continue to be the supplier of choice to our customers. Contact Jon Doggett to learn more about our plan of work to drive results in these three focus areas.