Iowa Corn Promotion Board History
Iowa was the first state where growers voted in a corn checkoff program - and the Iowa program has served as an example to other states across America. Iowa's corn checkoff was established under a state law passed at the end of 1976, and in 1977 Iowa corn growers approved a checkoff rate of one-tenth of a cent per bushel. Since then, Iowa growers have voted twice by referendum to increase the corn checkoff rate, currently at one-half cent per bushel.

Dollars are collected and managed in Iowa under the direction of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB), a board of Iowa growers elected by their peers, and the program is still governed by Iowa statute.

Once established, the checkoff began work within months to increase corn use. One of the ICPB's first goals was to increase the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), then a new product. The checkoff worked extensively with bottlers and soft drink companies and educated consumers and food professionals. In 1984, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola approved using HFCS instead of sugar in colas. Since then, Americans have consumed more corn sweeteners than sugar, and corn use in starches and sweeteners has increased by 367 million bushels.

Another high-profile accomplishment of the ICPB has been building acceptance of ethanol. The ICPB's ethanol efforts have targeted consumers, gas retailers, and corn growers. Over the years, the ICPB has printed fact sheets, run radio commercials, sponsored a toll-free ethanol hotline, even sponsored antique tractor events to demonstrate ethanol's advantages and uses. As the ethanol industry evolves and Iowa consumers continue to increase their ethanol use, the ICPB has concentrated more resources on the development of farmer-owned ethanol cooperatives in Iowa.

More than 70 Iowa farmers have served on the board since its origin. Although growers cannot serve more than three terms of three years each, many leaders remain active in Iowa's corn and agricultural industry. Several former leaders went on to serve elected positions in Iowa's Legislature or have been appointed to state and national government positions.

Current checkoff programs in the areas of market development, education, and research include meeting with foreign buyers to encourage purchases of Iowa corn, finding new and innovative uses of corn, and educating Iowa's consumers about the importance of the state's corn industry to the economy and their everyday lives.

For more information about current checkoff-funded programs, check out For Farmers.