By Chris Cherry, President
Indiana Corn Growers Association
As it says in Ecclesiastes, “to everything there is a season.” For many of us in Indiana this January, this has been a season to try to stay warm amid freezing temperatures. My heart goes out to livestock producers who must brave the wintry conditions to care for their animals.
In addition to winter, basketball and farm meeting seasons, I have started a new season of leadership with the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA). I was elected as the group’s new president at our most recent meeting, and I’m excited about the tasks that we are planning to accomplish in this new year.
For the past two years I’ve worked closely with Scott Smith, a farmer from Windfall, Ind., who has served ICGA members well as the group’s president. Having served as the vice president, I gained valuable leadership experience in the position and while working with Scott. I’m looking forward to continuing our time together on the board and taking on the responsibility of the role of president.
Before we get started, let me introduce myself. I am a full-time farmer from the New Palestine, Ind., area. We grow corn, soybeans and wheat on our Hancock County farm. I own and operate Cherry Ag Service, which sells crop insurance and Pioneer seed. My wife, Cristi, and I have three grown daughters. I am a graduate of Franklin College with degrees in journalism and public relations. Previously, I served on the Indiana Soybean Alliance board of directors.
We have many projects in store for ICGA members in 2024. Our first event of the year will be our annual legislative breakfast at the Indiana Statehouse from 8-10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. Known as the Bacon Bar and Brunch, this is both a fun and productive event. The brunch invites farmers and lawmakers to get together to discuss farm policy issues that will come up during this year’s General Assembly. But there’s the added benefit of many pounds of bacon and other Indiana-produced breakfast food.
There is more information about this brunch event throughout this magazine. For those of you who have never been to the Statehouse, this is an excellent opportunity to do so. It is an ornate and historic building. Go to www.incornandsoy.org/bacon2024 for a free registration.
ICGA staff is also working to organize “Coffee Shop Talks” in each congressional district during late winter and early spring. Members of Congress from each district are invited to a coffee shop in their district to discuss federal ag policy issues with 10 or so ICGA members. Attendance is by invitation only. If you’re not a member of our policy organizations, this can be a good reason to join. Farmers who want to become members should contact Khyla Goodman, ICGA Industry Affairs Outreach and Membership Manager, at kgoodman@incorn.org or call 317-677-3137.
Later this year we will host the High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Conference, the Indiana Ag Policy Summit and Shop Talks. Details for these events and more will be published as the year progresses.
Every year, our mission is to make Indiana corn farms more profitable. Join us throughout 2024 to help us accomplish this goal.
