ICGA, M&P host Coffee Shop Talks

By Khyla Goodman

The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) hosted two Coffee Shop Talks for newly elected Congressmen this winter.

Ten farmer members and industry partners joined U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer (R) for lunch at the Kat-A-Korner diner in Sullivan, Ind., on Feb. 19. Messmer was elected in November to represent District 8, replacing former U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, in the southwestern corner of Indiana.

Messmer has been appointed to the House Ag Committee, where he will work with U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4). The group discussed rising issues such as farm bill priorities, trade market development and how immigration policies may impact farm labor. He said that finding markets for corn and soybeans is a primary task for his role on the House Ag Committee.

“I signed on to a letter to expand biofuels,” Messmer told the farmers in attendance. “And I support year-round E15. I think these are important issues right now.”

More than 25 farmers and industry partners met with U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R) for breakfast at Ann’s Restaurant in Franklin, Ind. Shreve was recently elected to represent Indiana District 6, and he has been appointed to serve on the subcommittees for Transportation and Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs. Shreve replaces former U.S. Rep. Greg Pence in this district.

The group engaged in discussions on trade, tariffs, crop insurance, biofuels and infrastructure. First Farmers Bank and Trust sponsored this Coffee Shop Talk. Steve Howell, senior director for industry affairs for ICGA and M&P, said Coffee Shop Talks are important tools for farmers to make connections with federal legislators to discuss issues and policies that affect Indiana corn and soybean growers. The small group setting allows for deeper discussions on topics.

Invitations to small group meetings, such as Coffee Shop Talks, are exclusive to ICGA and M&P farmer members and industry partners. Larger-scale Shop Talks, usually hosted on farms, will be scheduled throughout August and communicated later this summer.

Contact Khyla Goodman by email at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com to become a member and receive invites to upcoming policy events.