The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is a membership organization lobbying on agricultural issues with priorities of conservation and water quality, ethanol, trade and infrastructure on behalf of our 7,500 members,” said ICGA President and farmer from Monticello Jim Greif. “Many of our farmer members were impacted by the derecho, and ICGA will continue to fight for sound policy on crop insurance, as well as regulations and tools for cover crops and harvest management on behalf of Iowa’s farmers. Many agribusinesses and other partners have asked how to help farmers impacted by the storm, and we encourage you to donate to the local emergency management organizations of the counties impacted, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) the area foodbank, or to the American Red Cross.

Additionally, we encourage Iowans to purchase corn products, such as ethanol, corn fed meats, eggs and dairy and to get involved by joining ICGA. Although 2020 has been a year full of uncertainty, know that ICGA continues to focus on policy priorities at the state and national level to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability.

Farmer Resources:

Iowa Department of Ag

US Department of Agriculture/Risk Management

Local Emergency Management (listed by county) 

We're also encouraging people to donate to HACAP, the Eastern Iowa regional food bank. Here is the donation link. 

There are other efforts, such as Operation BBQ (https://operationbbqrelief.org/) and Comeback Coolers (https://www.comebackcoolers.com/)

COVID - 19 Resources

Iowa Corn continues to monitor the latest developments and information about the global COVID-19 outbreak. To keep our farmer members, organizational staff and families safe, we have been following the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC guidance for our organization. To do our part to help “flatten the curve”, we have increased social distancing by moving to virtual meetings and have postponed or cancelled travel.

At Iowa Corn, our top priority is our people’s health and safety that is why we are allowing staff to work remotely.  Although your daily interactions with our board members, grassroots leaders and staff team should be minimally impacted. Please contact us as you always have by email, office phone (515-225-9242) or cell phone. You may also email corninfo@iowacorn.org with any inquiry.

The Iowa Corn team continues to advocate on your behalf during this time of uncertainty. Along with the National Corn Growers Association, we have commissioned an economic analysis of implications for corn farmers and are assembling a Task Force to develop recommendations on recovery efforts and facilitate coordination along the value chain.  We continue to be in close contact and work with our state and federal leaders to carry forward our farmer member’s top priorities. Congressional leaders and the Trump Administration have indicated there will likely be significant federal efforts to address the economic fallout of COVID-19. As part of this process, your government relations team is making sure that USDA and your elected representatives know what you’re experiencing on your farms.  Though we don’t know what the future holds, we do know the economic impacts are being felt globally and believe together we can work through this challenging time. 

In a time of great uncertainty and a struggle, please remember no farmer is alone. Resources are available for anyone personally struggling with this situation.  You can find those resources here.

Membership Call 

Thank you to those who joined us Friday, April 3 for the Member State of the Industry Farm Hall.  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig shared his knowledge and insight on different aspects of agriculture in our state and the Iowa Corn staff shared expert insight on industry topics. Topics such as federal policy, market development, the USDA report were discussed and we thank everyone for providing great questions.  If you were unable to join the Farm Hall but interested in the conversation click here to listen to the recording.  

COVID- 19 Resources 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Iowa COVID-19
• IDALS COVID-19
• Iowa Institute for Cooperatives COVID-19
• Growth Energy COVID-19
• Iowa Poultry COVID-19
• Iowa Pork Producers COVID- 19
• Iowa Cattleman Association COVID- 19
• Learn more about steps on your farm to take when managing COVID - 19.
• Find a planting contingency plan example here.