As this edition of Farm World goes to press, we hope you are all having a successful planting season, even though it has been an extremely frustrating one.
We would like to provide some information about three unique ways you can get involved this summer: the first-ever Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) Ethanol Night at the Races T-Shirt Design Contest, our wide variety of MCGA sponsorship opportunities, as well as a fun consumer event where you can help educate people in your community about agriculture.
MCGA looking for young, talented artists Are you a young budding artist looking for an opportunity for your artwork to appear on hundreds of t-shirts? Could you use some extra money for your future? Then get your creative fuels flowing, because the MCGA needs an engine-revving design for its first ever Ethanol Night at the Races T-shirt Design Contest!
The MCGA Ethanol Night at the Races event is held each year at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run and is an annual membership appreciation night for MCGA members and their families. Attendees of the event enjoy a full night of great food, fellowship and racing, while celebrating Michigan’s nearly $600 million ethanol industry and the benefits of the American-made fuel.
All Ethanol Night at the Races attendees receive a complimentary t-shirt, and this year it could feature your design. MCGA membership is not required for participation and all interested artists who are 21 years of age or younger and legal residents of the state of Michigan are encouraged to enter.
Designs must be racing, ethanol or field corn-related (not sweet corn) and must be no smaller than 6-by-8-inches and no larger than 12-by-14. Entered designs must be hand-drawn or computer-generated and suitable for four-color screen printing onto a white t-shirt.
Participating artists may submit only one design each and all entries must be received at the Michigan Corn office by 5 p.m. July 1.
“The T-Shirt Design Contest is a great way for youth to learn about corn and ethanol while being able to think creatively and use their talents,” said Jody Pollok-Newsom, MCGA executive director. “We hope participants will visit our website or utilize other resources to learn about Michigan’s corn and ethanol industries and incorporate that knowledge into their designs.”
The winning design will be selected by the MCGA staff to be printed onto more than 1,000 t-shirts to be distributed at the Ethanol Night at the Races event on Sept. 9.
The artist of the winning selection will receive a $250 savings bond, free t-shirt with their design and two tickets to the 2011 event.
For more information on this exciting opportunity, visit www.micorn.org or call 888-323-6601 to obtain complete contest rules and an official contest entry form.
Sponsorship opportunities available Reach out to your target audience by becoming a sponsor of the MCGA’s summer events and activities. MCGA represents nearly 1,000 corn growers and agribusiness professionals across Michigan. You can effectively communicate with these individuals by sponsoring an MCGA event or by advertising in the MCGA quarterly newsletter, Between the Rows.
Whether you participate as a sponsor for the Thumb Area Golf Outing held at the Bird Creek Golf Club in Port Austin on Aug. 10, the Central Michigan Golf Outing at Centennial Acres, Inc. in Sunfield on Aug. 17, Ethanol Night at the Races at Dixie Motor Speedway Sept. 9 or as a newsletter advertiser, the MCGA can put you and your company in front of people who will help make your business profitable.
By sponsoring or advertising with the MCGA, you can easily and successfully reach growers to sell your products and services, or simply use the sponsorship as a way to raise awareness of and further develop your corporate image.
What separates a sponsorship with the MCGA from other forms of sponsorship? MCGA sponsorships are interactive. We ask all of our sponsors to participate in our events, which place you and your company in direct face-to-face contact with potential clientele.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of MCGA events and activities, contact Nikki Beattie at 517-668-2676 or by email at nbeattie@micorn.org
The earlier your company is registered as a sponsor, the earlier we can promote it in our member mailings, maximizing your exposure to our membership – so make sure to respond today!
Breakfast on the Farm shares heritage Though summer is a busy time for farmers, we hope you will take the time to attend your local Breakfast on the Farm event to help tell the story of Michigan agriculture. Scheduled for eight locations throughout the state, Breakfast on the Farm events are a great opportunity for farmers and growers to share their lifestyle with the public.
These events draw in hundreds of visitors, many of who have never been to a farm but who are interested in learning about the food they enjoy every day. Hosting farms will provide a hearty breakfast and open their gates in eight different counties to help celebrate Michigan agriculture and educate consumers about the products on their plate.
Visitors to Breakfast on the Farm events may tour the farm, pet the animals and ask farmers questions about their industry and operations. By attending your local Breakfast on the Farm event, you can provide another farmer face and help share with consumers how and why agriculture is important to them and our state.
The 2011 Breakfast on the Farm events are being scheduled for the following dates and locations:
June 18 hosted by Jef-Len Dairy, St. Johns (Clinton County)
June 25 hosted by Raymond and Stutzman Farm LLC, Morenci (Lenawee County)
July 9 hosted by Circle K Farms, Inc., West Branch (Ogemaw County)
July 16 hosted by Pasch Dairy, Weidman (Isabella County)
Aug. 13 hosted by Daybreak Dairy LLC, Zeeland (Ottawa County)
Aug. 20 hosted by S&M Dairy, Harbor Beach (Huron County)
Sept. 17 hosted by Taylor Creek Farm LLC, Pickford (Chippewa County)
Sept. 24 hosted by Benthem Brothers, Inc., McBain (Missaukee County)
To find out how you might help with your local event, visit www.breakfastonthefarm.com
More Events To Come…
Mark your calendars … •Ag Expo – Michigan State University, July 19-21
•Thumb Area Golf Outing – Bird Creek Golf Club, Port Austin, Aug. 10
•Central Michigan Golf Outing – Centennial Acres, Sunfield, Aug. 17
•Ethanol Night at the Races – Dixie Motor Speedway, Birch Run, Sept. 9
•MCGA Annual Meeting – Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Feb. 7, 2012
As always, if you have any questions about upcoming events, would like to join the MCGA or if you have questions or suggestions for the MCGA or Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, call the Michigan Corn office at 888-323-6601 or visit www.micorn.org |
