The Iowa Corn Growers Association held its Annual Grassroots Summit virtually Aug. 25, where ICGA delegates set the direction for the organization’s policies and priorities for the coming year. 

During the virtual meeting, over 100 farmer-delegates had the opportunity to review expiring policies and debate new policy resolutions. This ICGA policy process includes a member-wide survey in the spring, local roundtable discussions held in the summer and the Annual Grassroots Summit in late August. Policies related to national issues will be brought forward at the Commodity Classic meetings in February with National Corn Growers Association farmer-delegates. 

Key state issues  

ICGA’s delegates deliberated on many important state issues impacting Iowa corn farmers, including the four important issues listed here. These state issues are listed in alphabetical order, not by priority ranking: 

Conservation and water quality. A legislative funding stream is maintained for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.  

Ethanol. Funding is obtained and increased for renewable fueling infrastructure cost-share program (Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program). 

Livestock. Existing regulatory framework is supported for the livestock industry.  

Taxes. Critical tax credits (such as Section 179 and biofuels) are protected.

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association wouldn’t exist without our engaged grassroots members who form and develop ICGA policy,” said incoming ICGA President Carl Jardon, a farmer from Randolph in southwest Iowa. “While 2020 may be a tough year, we know we are stronger together, and ICGA will continue to build strong policy and priorities to fight for Iowa’s farmers. We encourage all of our members to invite other farmers to join ICGA as we work toward our goal of 10,000 members strong.” 

Key federal issues

Delegates also weighed several key federal issues at the 2020 ICGA Grassroots Summit. These are listed here in alphabetical order, not by priority ranking: 

Ethanol. The federal government needs to retain the Renewable Fuel Standard, reallocate unjustified Small Refinery Exemptions and reduce regulatory barriers for higher blends.  

Trade. New and existing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements should expand and be protected, as well as the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program funding.  

Transportation. The nation’s inland waterways and transportation system should be maintained and upgraded.  

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds virtually addressed ICGA members to give a powerful message in these tough economic times and shared her strong support for Iowa’s corn farmers. Also, Kevin Ross, the National Corn Growers Association president and a farmer from western Iowa, spoke to the virtual group about NCGA’s efforts in providing assistance and resources to his fellow Iowa corn farmers. 

Honored for corn promotion

Davis County farmer Roger Wuthrich was given the Local Leader Award, and the Top Recruiter Award went to Larry Buss, a farmer from Harrison County, for recruiting 66 members. ICGA awarded Guthrie County for its Farm to Table event as the Best County Activity, and District 9 was recognized for its Corn Grows Iowa reception. ICGA congratulated the 2020 I-LEAD Class 9, as well as the Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture scholarship winners. 

ICGA will release its finalized top 2021 state and federal policy priorities in December based on ICGA Corn Board discussion, as well as the grassroots input provided during the Aug. 25 Grassroots Summit. The complete 2020-21 policy resolution book is available online and upon request by emailing [email protected] or calling 515-225-9242. 

Source: ICGA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.