By JODY E. POLLOK-NEWSOM
Corn Marketing Program of Michigan
Michigan Corn Growers Assoc.

As this edition of Farm World finds you amidst an eventful time of year, we hope you will take a few minutes out of your busy holiday schedule to read the latest CMPM and MCGA news.

On behalf of the Boards and staff of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) and the Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA), I want to extend to each of you our warmest wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Checkoff seeks board members

Have you ever wanted to help set the tone for the state’s corn checkoff program? Are you interested in discovering new uses and new markets for the corn you grow every year? Now is the time to act, as the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) has three open board positions.

Established under P.A. 232 of 1965, and voted in by the state’s corn farmers in 1992, the CMPM receives one penny per bushel for all field corn grown in Michigan and sold. The checkoff funding is invested in research, market development, education and new uses. The nine-member, governor-appointed board of directors sets the yearly direction of the state’s checkoff program. Board terms are staggered, and each year three board positions are up for appointment.

Michigan is divided into nine districts based on corn production. Each district is represented by a corn farmer from that area.
A board member is selected from each of the established CMPM districts. The CMPM is looking for representatives from the following districts to serve a three year term beginning in 2011:

•District 2 – Barry, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa and St. Joseph counties
•District 3 – Branch, Calhoun and Hillsdale counties
•District 7 – Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and St. Clair counties

Those interested in the board positions may contact the CMPM office for a petition to apply for the board.

The petition must be signed by 50 farmers within the applicant’s district and returned to the CMPM office by 5 p.m. on Jan. 14. All applicants must grow corn within their district.

At least two nominations for each district will be submitted to the governor. If two applicants for each district are not received by Jan. 14, nominations for the position will be secured at the following meetings:

•Jan. 17 – (District 7) – Corn and Soybean Research Meeting, Ubly Heights Country Club, Ubly.
•Feb. 2 – (District 2) – Corn and Soybean Research Meeting, Kellogg Biological Station Auditorium, Hickory Corners.
•Feb. 3 – (District 3) – Corn and Soybean Research Meeting, Dearth Community Center, Coldwater.

Once two candidates are secured for each open district, each candidate must complete an application and return it to the CMPM office. The completed paperwork is then forwarded to the Governor’s office for appointments to be made. Corn farmers who have any additional questions, or would like more information, may contact the CMPM office toll free at 1-888-323-6601.

Corn Growers annual meeting

Members of the MCGA are invited to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Registration, including a full breakfast, will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by the program at 9:30 a.m.

Again this year, lunch and roundtable discussions will be with legislators. Speakers and topics at this year’s annual meeting include:

•Jeff Sandborn, MCGA Vice President and National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) Ethanol Committee member, will update attendees on the ever-changing world of ethanol and discuss the latest industry news
•Garry Niemeyer (invited to speak), NCGA first vice president, will provide a year in review from the national perspective
•Marketing strategies for corn growers
•Discussion of the 2012 Farm Bill revisions
•Legislative updates
•MCGA membership and activities
•Annual Business meeting
•Board of Directors elections
•State of the Corn Industry Address
•Recognition of MCGA scholarship recipients, 2010 Corn Yield Contest winners, and Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verified farms

Registration materials will be sent to all MCGA members in January.
MCGA members may attend the annual meeting at no cost, but registration is required. The deadline to register for the annual meeting is Jan. 21, 2011.

If you are not a member, but would like to vote and have your voice heard at the annual meeting, please contact the MCGA at 1-888-323-6601 for a membership application.

Membership is $60 for one year, $155 for three years or $500 for a lifetime. Students in an accredited agricultural program may join the MCGA at a cost of $20 for one year. For more information or to register for the annual meeting, contact the MCGA at 1-888-323-6601 or visit www.micorn.org