ICGA Members Take Priorities to Washington, D.C. During Corn Congress

Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) farmer-leaders convened in Washington, D.C. this week alongside other corn farmers from across the country to advocate for key agricultural issues and priorities as part of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Congress meeting. 

The Capitol Hill meetings focused on:  

• Passing the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) 

• Stopping the abuse of small refinery waivers (SREs)  

“It was another successful year at NCGA Corn Congress visiting and collaborating with all six members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation as well as over 130 non-corn states on Capitol Hill,” said ICGA President and farmer from Logan, Curt Mether. “We appreciate their time as it is vital that all members of Congress understand the importance of American agriculture and the current hardships farmers are battling.”  

Mether joined other ICGA farmer-leaders in meetings with the Iowa Delegation including Senators Ernst and Grassley, and Representatives Axne, Finkenauer, King and Loebsack. ICGA leaders discussed the need to push EPA Administrator Wheeler to maintain a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and continued opposition to the unjustified granting of the small refinery waivers (SREs). 

 “We appreciate the support of the entire Delegation for pushing back on the EPA for granting SREs and their work to continue to support Iowa farmers during threats to the RFS,” stated Mether. 

Additionally, during Corn Congress, NCGA delegates re-elected Chris Edgington from Mitchell County to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Board for a three-year term. Edgington will join NCGA Directors Bruce Rohwer of O’Brien County and Kevin Ross of Pottawatomie County on the Corn Board. Ross will serve as NCGA President for Fiscal Year 2020. 

“Over the last several years, it has been my sincere pleasure to serve on the NCGA Board representing corn farmers across the nation, with being re-elected I am looking forward to the next three,” said Chris Edgington a farmer from St. Ansgar. “Corn farmers like myself continue to face many challenges, and I am pleased to be serving on the board to continue to fight for the corn industry and the future of American agriculture.” 

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokesmen for NCGA and enhance the organization’s public standing on all organizational and policy issues. 

For More Information:

Brandi Snyder, Public Relations Manager, bsnyder@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242