New Fiscal Year, New Activism, New Commitment For NCGA

If you need a break from reading all the negative headlines, or hearing about all the things that are wrong with our society, our economy and even our very lifestyle…you came to the right place. This blog will provide nothing but positive and uplifting information for you today if you are a corn farmer.

At a time when membership in all kinds of organizations is declining, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and affiliated states are proud to offer some good, in fact very good news.  We will enter October with a new all-time high membership total of 36,378.

The real significance of this accomplishment for growers is what this trend reflects. It most likely reflects some of the concerns growers have about the serious issues facing agriculture today, but it also is sign of optimism that NCGA is in the fight, getting their hands dirty, and making a difference.

For many organizations Oct. 1, marks the beginning of a new fiscal year so it seems like a good time to take stock of the proactive approach being employed by NCGA.  Here is a peek at what NCGA’s farmers leaders are tackling just this week:

•  Grower leaders will meet with Carol Browner, President Obama’s Energy Czar.

• These same leaders will meet with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), newly named Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry.

• Others are meeting in St. Louis to review the science related to the safety and continued use of Atrazine as well as meeting with representatives of Syngenta to discuss efforts by environmentalists to curtail Atrazine usage.

• Played a key role in coordinating a meeting of the various ethanol producer organizations.

• Rolled out a formal activism plan for the new fiscal year. The goal is to amplify grower’s voices and better coordinate messaging, consumer education, and grower outreach to key influencers.

• Named new committees and grower Action Team assignments for volunteer leaders.

This is a snapshot of a proactive and vital organization. It is also a reflection of changing attitudes with growers who say they have reached the tipping point. They are tired of too many outside forces – some with limited knowledge of their industry or in some cases others motivated by personal agendas – trying to set the course for the nation’s largest industry.

NCGA offers a chance to take an offensive approach and start making a difference today.