The Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA), the statewide membership organization representing Michigan's corn farmers, has unveiled five new member benefit programs to increase the overall value of membership in the association.  In addition to providing a collective voice on state and national corn-related legislation and policy, the MCGA benefits and services include:

¡  Auto Owners Insurance:  Members are eligible for special savings on their insurance policies through the MCGA special savings program.  This includes savings on personal automobile; homeowners and mobile homeowners; commercial and personal umbrella; business policies; commercial automobile; and workers compensation. 

¡  Connect Your Home: The MCGA has partnered with Connect Your Home, a national retailer for home services; to bring members discounted services and promotional incentives while receiving exclusive money-back discounts on everyday home services.  Discount offers are available for Dish Network; Protect Your Home – ADT Authorized Dealer; HughesNet; DirecTV; Verizon; Charter; Time Warner Cable; and more.

¡  Growers National Cooperative (GNC): The MCGA is the only sponsoring association partnered with GNC in Michigan. Through GNC, members have the opportunity to choose to participate in exclusive benefit opportunities administered by Hudson Insurance Group, and also take advantage of other cost-saving programs. 

¡  Plant Management Network (PMN): The MCGA is an official sponsor of the Plant Management Network's (PMN) Focus on Corn webcast resources.  The series of webcasts were created to help corn growers develop healthier, higher yielding crops through applied crop management information delivered over the web. As a sponsor organization, MCGA members also have access to journals, efficiency trials, focus topics and other electronic resources. 

¡  Volunteer Energy: Volunteer Energy has partnered with the MCGA to bring members a discounted rate on natural gas.  Customers have seen an average savings of between five and ten percent.  The process is simple and member's utility service and billing remain the same. The only change is a discounted rate reflected on the gas bill each month. There are no contracts and no cancellation fees.

¡  Other benefits of membership in the MCGA include:

¡  Free or reduced entry fees to special membership events throughout the year, including the MCGA Annual Meeting on Feb. 7 at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing; the Thumb Area Golf Outing on Aug. 14 at Verona Hill Golf Club in Bad Axe; the Central Michigan Golf Outing on Aug. 16 at Centennial Acres Golf Course in Sunfield; and Ethanol Night at the Races on Sept. 8 at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run.

¡  A quarterly MCGA newsletter.

¡  The opportunity to apply for various scholarship programs, including a collegiate scholarship for members and their children.

 "The MCGA understands the importance of getting the most for your dollar," said Jeff Sandborn, MCGA president and corn grower from Portland.  "That's why our staff has worked so hard to reward our members for their continued support by adding value to their membership."

Through its affiliation with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), MCGA members are also able to take advantage of national member benefits and services, including:

¡  Ford Motor Company vehicle discounts through the Ford X-Plan.

¡  Discounts at Dell Products and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

¡  Ten percent discount on Cabela's gift cards.

¡  Admission to NASCAR's private web portal with access to exclusive and unadvertised offers on official merchandise and partner company products, as well as discounted race tickets.

"With all of the benefits and services available to members, it's the perfect time to join the MCGA and become a member of the association that represents Michigan's corn industry," says Ed Brietmeyer, MCGA recruitment committee chair and corn grower from Buckley. "We value our members and are always looking for ways to improve our member benefits programs."

Membership in the MCGA is $60 for one year, $155 for three years, or $500 for a lifetime membership. Students in an accredited agricultural program are eligible for a one-year membership in the MCGA for $20. As a member of the MCGA, you also automatically become a member of the NCGA.

For more information on becoming a member of the MCGA or on the membership benefits and services offered, contact the Michigan Corn office at 1-888-323-6601 or visit www.micorn.org.