From the Michigan Corn
Growers Assoc.
In this update, the Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) would like to share a unique opportunity to win free groceries for a year while learning about Michigan’s diverse agricultural industry. We would also like to highlight the MCGA delegation’s recent trip to our nation’s capital, as well as some of our exciting upcoming events at which we hope to see you.
Free groceries for a year Michigan’s first “Free Groceries for a Year!” sweepstakes was so successful that Michigan Farmers Feed US is back, with another opportunity for a Michigander to win a $5,000 gift card good toward filling grocery bags with locally grown and processed food and other meal staples.
Now through Oct. 12, Michigan residents may go to www.farmersfeed us.org/mi to register to win and learn how local farmers produce safe, healthy and affordable food.
The Michigan Farmers Feed US sweepstakes showcases 10 Michigan farmers who, through their online videos, guide consumers through the simple registration process, dish out some agricultural trivia and open up their farms for a virtual tour. Featured commodities include apples, beef, corn, dairy products, eggs, lamb, pork, vegetables and soybeans.
Contestants may register with each of the featured farmers daily through the end of the 90-day sweepstakes on Oct. 12. One winner will be randomly selected from all the registered contestants and announced in early November.
The Michigan Farmers Feed US program is supported by local farmers represented by the Michigan Ag Council, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Assoc., Michigan Pork Producers Assoc., CMPM, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
To learn more, “like” Michigan Farmers Feed US on Facebook, follow “Mich Farmers Feed US” on Twitter at @MIFarmersFeedUS or visit www.farmersfeedus.org/mi
Corn growers visit Capitol Hill
In July, seven Michigan corn growers joined corn farmers from across the United States in Washington, D.C., to help shape the future of their national commodity association and the U.S. corn industry at the 2011 Corn Congress.
Hosted by the National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA), this year’s second session of Corn Congress was July 13-14. Two sessions of Corn Congress are held each year to set the direction of the NCGA and the U.S. corn industry.
During this session, delegates met to update the association’s policy book, which guides the national organization, and visit with legislators. Delegates representing the MCGA at the 2011 Corn Congress were board member Dan Cable of Maybee, MCGA and CMPM board member Tom Durand of Croswell, Secretary Alvin Ferguson of Allenton, NCGA board member and CMPM President Clark Gerstacker of Midland, Treasurer Loren Koeman of Grand Rapids, board member and NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team member Scott Miller of Elsie and MCGA President and NCGA Ethanol Committee member Jeff Sandborn of Portland.
The CMPM and MCGA also sent five staff members to Washington for this important event: Membership Coordinator Nikki Beattie, CMPM and MCGA Executive Director Jody Pollok-Newsom, Communication and Programs Coordinator Theresa Sisung, Policy Coordinator Val Vail-Shirey and Communication Coordinator and ethanol specialist Jamie Wilson.
During their visit, corn growers from all over the U.S. also met on Capitol Hill to meet with their states’ legislators. The Michigan delegation visited the offices of all 17 Michigan legislators. The growers discussed pressing issues facing today’s corn industry, including ethanol policy, farm bill implementation, trade agreements and corn production and availability.
“Visiting with our legislators gave our growers the perfect opportunity to educate Michigan’s Congressional delegation on the issues affecting Michigan’s corn industry,” Sandborn explained.
Lenawee field day Aug. 17 Make plans to attend the Center for Excellence annual Field Day Aug. 17 in Lenawee County. The Center for Excellence, coordinated by the Lenawee County Conservation District with sponsorship by the CMPM, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and other agricultural organizations, provides attendees the opportunity to tour the Raymond and Stutzman Farm and the Bakerlad Farm.
During the event, participants will have the chance to explore various cropping systems, tillage systems and technology plots. For more information, contact the Lenawee County Soil Conservation District at 517-263-7400.
MCGA golf outing reminder Don’t forget there is still time to register for the MCGA summer golf outings. The Thumb Area Outing will be Aug. 10 at the Bird Creek Golf Club in Port Austin, while the Central Michigan Outing will be Aug. 17 at Centennial Acres in Sunfield.
Visit www.micorn.org for more information or to register online.
Register now for Ethanol Night The MCGA would like to remind its members that it is time once again to race on over to the Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run for the 2011 Ethanol Night at the Races. This year’s event will be held Sept. 9, and you won’t want to miss this action-packed night, so be sure to register today.
Members will receive their invitations by mail and may choose any of our easy registration methods to obtain tickets. Attendees can reserve their seat at this year’s event by faxing their registration forms to the MCGA office at 517-668-2670; by mailing them to the MCGA office at 13750 S. Sedona Pkwy., Suite 5; Lansing, MI 48906; or by visiting www.micorn.org to register online.
Registration for MCGA members is free and guests are welcome to attend the event for a fee. The first four adult guests of an MCGA member will receive a discounted price of $15 per person, additional adult guests will be charged $20 per person and children ages 6-12 will be admitted at the cost of $5 per child. Children under 6 are free.
Guests at Ethanol Night at the Races will be treated to a steak dinner which begins at 4:30 p.m. and runs until racing begins at 7 p.m. Dinner will be followed by the “Eve of Destruction,” including chain gang races, Dixie crash cars, school bus figure-8s, figure-8 trailer races, flagpole races and spectator drags.
In case of inclement weather, contact Dixie Motor Speedway at 989-624-9778 to confirm Ethanol Night at the Races is still on. If the event gets postponed because of weather, the rain date will be Sept. 16.
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 CMPM, please call the Michigan Corn office at 888-323-6601 or visit us online at www.micorn.org |
