Indiana corn growers make their voice heard in D.C.

Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) joined staff in Washington, D.C. July 15-18 for NCGA Action Team meetings, visits to Indiana delegation and Corn Congress.

NCGA Action Team Report

Six corn farmer leaders and one staff member represented Indiana in NCGA Action Teams & Committees. 

Matthew Lucas and Chris Cherry (Hancock County) are members of the Ethanol Action Team. They reviewed D.C. education campaign details, as well as discussed the 45Z update, Ford’s hybrid electric flex fuel vehicle, Department of Energy Ethanol Proposal and the Next Generation Fuels Act.

Scott Smith (Tipton County) and Ben Linder (staff) are part of Member & Consumer Engagement. They had great discussion about memberships programs, the Farm Stress and Mental Health program and how to approach grassroots programs.

Tim Gauck (Decatur County) took part in the Risk Management & Transportation Action Team (RMTAT). RMTAT 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.

Jerry Osterholt participated in the Stewardship Action Team. They received briefings on nitrates in groundwater, 45Z, EcoEngineers, EPA, erosion meta-analysis and other conservation topics.

Tom Murphy engaged in 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.

Hill Visits and Discussions

The farmers then dedicated a full day to meeting with 10 offices of Indiana federal legislators. While Congress was in recess last week, farmer leaders and staff were able to discuss Indiana corn priorities with legislative staff.

Conversations focused on the continued work to pass a farm bill this year. 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.

Corn farmer leaders also carried on conversations about biofuel efforts and requested support for year-round E15, Next Generation Fuels Act and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The Senate is currently 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 also discussed during legislative office meetings. Our organizations work diligently to drive demand for U.S. 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

Following Hill visits, farmer leaders, David Ring, Jerry Osterholt, Janice Highley, Scott Smith and Alan Dunn served as delegates for 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.

Special thanks to volunteer corn directors for their time and dedication during their week in D.C. to promote the priorities of Indiana farmers!

The ICGA board of directors are committed to continuing the conversations of our farm bill, biofuel and trade priorities with our federal legislators. There will be opportunities for you to engage in policy discussions with our federal and state legislators through our Shop Talks in August. Please follow this link for all scheduled Shop Talks and directions to register for the events.