Six corn farmer leaders represent Indiana during Capitol Hill visits and Corn Congress

By Emily McNiff

During a visit to Washington, D.C., in July, Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) leaders dedicated a busy day to meeting with 10 offices of Indiana federal lawmakers. Even though Congress was in recess, the farmer leaders and staff were able to discuss Indiana corn priorities with legislative staff. 

Conversations focused on the continued work to pass a federal farm bill this year. ICGA leaders said farmers need a bipartisan and comprehensive farm bill signed into law this year that includes corn grower priorities, like protecting federal crop insurance, bolstering international market development efforts, strengthening the producer safety net, supporting voluntary conservation programs, and championing initiatives important to rural America. 

The group also discussed biofuel efforts and requested support for year-round E15, Next Generation Fuels Act and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The Senate is considering the National Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023. This legislation would eliminate the patchwork of barriers across the country and ensure access to year-round E15. 

Trade and infrastructure were discussed during legislative office meetings. ICGA works to drive demand for Indiana corn and “move the pile.” Market access is key to these initiatives. There are several issues affecting the global trade of corn, including Brazil’s increased tariff on ethanol imports, countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from China and India, and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Dispute Settlement regarding a Decree to ban genetically modified corn in Mexico. 

Corn Congress debates policy 

Following the Capitol Hill visits, farmer leaders David Ring, Jerry Osterholt, Janice Highley, Scott Smith and Alan Dunn served as delegates for the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress. 

Farmer delegates voted on updates to NCGA’s policy platform, which guides the organization’s grassroots advocacy, approving resolutions covering tax policy among other topics. 

ICGA’s directors will continue to advocate for the farm bill, ethanol and trade priorities with federal legislators until goals are met. Through Shop Talk meetings, the Ag Policy Summit and other special events, ICGA works to bring farmers together with state and federal lawmakers to discuss ag issues. 

For details about the Corn Congress and other federal priorities, visit ncga.com. 

Action Teams also meet 

Indiana corn farmers and staff also participated in several NCGA Action Team meetings. These teams are small groups dedicated to working on specific issues. 

Farmers Matthew Lucas, Brownstown, Ind.; and Chriss Cherry, New Palestine, Ind., are Ethanol Action Team members. They studied NCGA’s education campaign and discussed the 45Z update, Ford’s hybrid electric flex fuel vehicle, Department of Energy’s Ethanol Proposal and the Next Generation Fuels Act. 

Farmer Scott Smith, Windfall, Ind.; and staff Ben Linder are on then Member & Consumer Engagement. They discussed memberships programs, the Farm Stress and Mental Health program and how to direct grassroots programs. 

Chesterton, Ind., farmer Tom Murphy works on the Sustainability Ag Research Action Team. His Action Team reviewed presentations on Nourish the Future, Research Ambassador, DonorsChoose, Genomes to Fields Prediction Contest, Spot Spray and more. 

Greensburg, Ind., farmer Tim Gauck took part in the Risk Management & Transportation Action Team. He received updates from Waterways Council, Inc., USDA Disaster Program, Farm Credit Council and American Bankers Association (ABA), as well as heard from both the Republican and Democratic parties in Congressional Hill Panels. 

Roanoke, Ind., farmer Jerry Osterholt participated in the Stewardship Action Team. He received briefings on nitrates in groundwater, EcoEngineers, EPA, erosion meta-analysis and other conservation topics.