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

Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) farmer-leaders convened in Washington, D.C. this week with other corn farmers from across the country to advocate for key agricultural issues as part of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Congress meeting. The Iowa delegation, including ICGA directors and grassroots members, visited 125 Congressional offices, many of which represented areas outside the Corn Belt because it is important that all members of Congress understand the importance of American agriculture and the challenges farmers currently face. These Capitol Hill meetings focused on:

“Trade was a key topic of Corn Congress and it was a key message we took to Capitol Hill,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington. “We need to find a path forward on trade before we see long-term impacts to farmers and rural America. We are counting on the administration and Congress to reach a resolution on responsible trade policies including seeing NAFTA negotiations through and solidify our relationships with Mexico and Canada.”

 

Recker also joined other ICGA farmer-leaders in meetings with the Iowa Delegation including Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley where they discussed the need of working with EPA Administrator Wheeler to maintain a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “We need year-round E15, so we can expand our use of higher blends of ethanol and we urge the EPA to reallocate the gallons of ethanol already lost due to the small refinery exemptions. We appreciate the support of the entire delegation on this issue, but most notably Senators Ernst and Grassley who championed for Iowa farmers during the recent threats to the RFS.”