The Iowa Corn Growers Association held its annual Grassroots Summit Aug. 25-26, and it was a special one, marking 50 years for ICGA. “Continuing the legacy” was the theme, and it was echoed many times throughout the event, which took place in Altoona. While celebrating the achievements of the organization over last 50 years, ICGA delegates at this year’s meeting set the direction for the organization’s policies and priorities in the coming year.

“The hard work our members put forth and their involvement supports sound policy decisions that will continue to aid in the success of the corn industry,” said ICGA President Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington in northeast Iowa. “Our members are passionate about making a difference and cultivating a bright future for our industry for generations to come. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this next year.”

Reviewed current policies, debated new ones
The nearly 150 delegates attending had the opportunity to review expiring policies and debate new resolutions. The Grassroots Summit is the year-end event in ICGA’s policy development process. The process includes a member-wide survey each spring, roundtable discussions held across the state in the summer and the Grassroots Summit in late August. Policies related to national issues are adopted and brought forth at the Commodity Classic meetings in March with National Corn Growers Association farmer delegates.

The ICGA delegates on Aug. 26 deliberated on many important state concerns impacting Iowa corn farmers including these priority issues:

• Ethanol — need to obtain funding for infrastructure cost-share program (RFIP)

• Conservation and Water Quality — secure long-term, increased funding for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

• Regulations — reduce regulatory barriers where possible

• Tax reform — protect agriculture in comprehensive tax reform

• Taxes — get Section 179 coupling of federal tax with State of Iowa

“This meeting reaffirmed our top federal priorities of maintaining a strong Renewable Fuel Standard and supporting international marketing of ag commodities by expanding trade agreements and securing continued funding of USDA commodity export programs,” said Recker. “We are focused on supporting legislation that will build markets and create demand for corn and corn products.”

ICGA delegates also weighed in specifically on several key federal issues:

• Ethanol — retain the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

• Trade agreements — expand bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements

• Trade development — protect and expand funding for the USDA Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program as part of the farm bill

• Safety net — protect crop insurance funding as a part of the farm bill

• Tax policy — protect agriculture in comprehensive tax reform

On the first day of the summit, Recker welcomed attendees with a special video message from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. Next, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, a graduate of the Iowa Corn I-LEAD program, addressed the group. Iowa Corn CEO Craig Floss moderated an Iowa Corn leadership panel of past ICGA farmer-leaders. They included Pam Johnson, a Floyd County farmer who served as NCGA president in 2012-13; Glen Moeller, a Scott County farmer who served as ICGA president in 1995-96; and Pete Wenstrand, a Page County farmer who served as ICGA president in 1988-89.

Congrats from Iowa congressional delegation
The panel examined the many challenges and opportunities facing them as leaders back then and how several of these issues impact the corn industry today. This year’s attendees then divided into roundtable discussions facilitated by representatives of several of Iowa Corn’s partner organizations.

In addition, members of the Iowa Congressional delegation recorded special 50th anniversary congratulatory videos that were played throughout the two-day event. Former ICGA president Varel Bailey of Anita received the Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the corn industry.

ICGA will release its finalized top 2018 state and federal policy priorities in December based on grassroots input provided during the Summit. The complete 2017-2018 policy resolution book is available upon request by emailing [email protected] or calling 515-225-9242. ICGA is a 7,500 member organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members.