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Iowans Rally on Behalf of Rural America

June 25, 2015

Several hundred concerned individuals gathered in Kansas City, Kansas today to Rally for Rural America.  Farmers, American ethanol industry representatives, and a number of agriculture organizations spent the afternoon to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This rally was organized in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing on their proposed rule to significantly cut America’s use of cleaner burning renewable fuels.

Four farmer leaders of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) testified at the EPA hearing along with a number of other Iowa Corn members. ICGA President, Jerry Mohr had this to say in his statement, “We have been held hostage by big oil and the failure of the EPA to follow the provisions of the law. We never received the blender’s credit like the oil companies did. We need access to the markets and now we need the 1 lb. waiver for E15.” Mohr also went on to say that, “Our goal of a clean burning renewable fuel is here today. We are on the cusp of great innovation for starch based fuels and cellulosic fuels. Take down the barriers and let us produce.”

Roger Zylstra, chairman of the Iowa Corn Growers Association delivered an emotive statement on behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers. “For years, we encouraged kids to leave the farm. The RFS has allowed my son to come back and farm with me.” He then discussed the significance of EPA’s proposed cuts. “This is a serious issue. It’s not just about corn, but about the continued vitality of rural America.”

Governor Branstad and Secretary of Agriculture Northey were also in attendance at both the hearing and the rally; offering support to Iowa corn farmers, renewable fuels, and rural America.

For more information on how you can lend support to rural America, visit ncga.com/RFS. If you wish to voice your concern on this issue, be sure to submit a comment to the EPA by the July 27th deadline.

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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is an 8,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.

For More Information:

Amanda De Jong
Senior Policy Advisor
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
adejong@iowacorn.org

Shannon Textor
Director of Marketing & Communications
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
stextor@iowacorn.org

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