Membership matters for Michigan Corn Growers LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. exists to make sure that corn farmers across Michigan are represented in Washington, D.C., and Lansing. We make sure your voice is heard loud and clear when lawmakers are considering legislation that will impact our farming operations and our livelihoods.
Advocacy takes many forms. It includes writing letters and making phone calls to our members of Congress, placing news stories and op-eds in local media, visiting D.C. or Lansing to meet inperson with legislators, and hosting our representatives and senators on our farms to show them firsthand the challenges that we deal with on a day-to-day basis.
We’ve seen this work pay off on a number of issues, from pushing for access to international export markets and protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard to preventing states from passing fear based GMO labeling bills and pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to rescind the burdensome Waters of the US rule.
None of this would be possible with our members!
The MCGA is a grassroots, membership organization. That means that we’re funded and driven by our members from all across Michigan. The more members we have, the stronger our voice is, and the more influence we have with the legislators that represent us.
Thank you to our members and for everything they do to help us advocate on behalf of Michigan farmers. If you’re not a member yet, please consider joining by calling the office at (517) 668-2676. – Jason McConnachie, president, MCGA
Michigan Corn seeks nominees for open board positions
LANSING, Mich. — Corn producers are in a critical time with issues such as maintaining trade relations, fighting to preserve the ethanol industry, pushing back against EPA overreach on a host of issues and securing new markets. The Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. seeks producers’ service on the board to help make sure Michigan corn farmers’ voices are heard in Lansing and in Washington, D.C. We encourage you to consider running for a position on the MCGA board.
MCGA is seeking nominations in the following districts:
•District 3 – Representing Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac and Saginaw counties •District 6 – Representing Allegan, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Berrien and Cass counties •District 8 – Representing Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe counties •At Large – Representing the entire state In order to appear on the ballot, nominations must be received by Sept. 1. All elected directors will hold office for a term of three years. To be eligible for a seat on the board, you must be a regular MCGA member in good standing.
Contact Penni Sweeney at psweeney@micorn.org or 888-323-6601 if you would like to run or nominate someone for one of the above districts.
ASA presents new recognition awards for 2018
ST. LOUIS — As part of a re-envisioned Recognition Awards Program, the American Soybean Assoc. (ASA) has an exciting new lineup of award categories for 2018. The three new awards provide expanded opportunities to recognize state association volunteerism, more current top leadership achievements and those who have made long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry.
The Recognition Awards categories are: •ASA Outstanding State Volunteer Award – recognizes the dedication and contributions of volunteers in any area of the state association operation. •ASA Distinguished Leadership Award – distinguished and visionary leadership of ASA or a state soybean association is recognized with this award to either a soybean grower-leader or association staff leader with a least five years of leadership service. •ASA Pinnacle Award – an industrywide recognition of those individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of contribution and long-term leadership within the soybean family and industry.
For more information about each of the award categories, see the 2018 ASA Recognition Awards flyer.
All nomination forms must be submitted online. The deadline for submission is midnight Oct. 16. For more information and to view the nomination forms, visit https://soygrowers.com/awardprograms/asa-recognition/ Anyone may complete and submit a nomination form.
No self-nominations will be accepted. Recipients will receive their awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Feb. 28, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif., at Commodity Classic, which runs Feb. 27 to March 1.
Winners will be notified in advance and provided with financial assistance to attend.
Ohio Stories help beef producers inform consumers
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Beef Council (OBC) recently launched a producer image campaign centered on sharing the passion that farmers have for their land, livestock and livelihood.
This image campaign’s flagship effort is a video series that shows consumers that beef farmers ultimately do what’s best for their land and animals no matter the circumstances.
Studies have shown that consumers trust messages straight from the farmer far more than other spokespeople. OBC empowered the Vollborn family of Bidwell, Ohio, to share their family’s story on the first installment of the Ohio Stories video series. Despite only being out a few weeks, the videos have already gathered almost 100,000 views, and numbers continue to climb.
Throughout the video, the Vollborn family shares their passion for what they do alongside facts and information about how beef cattle are raised and positively impact families across the United States. The highest point of traffic on the OBC website, ohiobeef.org, is the Ohio Beef Community page, demonstrating that consumers want to learn more about beef farmers in Ohio.
The video series will continue into the early fall where it will then transition to a new Ohio Stories video that is currently in production. To check out the video, visit www.ohiobeef.org/ohio-beef-community or the Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Soy farmers needed during Indiana State Fair
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Thanks to a long-term investment by Indiana soybean farmers, visitors to the Indiana State Fair from August 4-20 will once again have the opportunity to gain a transparent look at modern farming at the Glass Barn.
“The Glass Barn is an opportunity to celebrate Indiana agriculture, connect with the public, and see checkoff dollars in action” said Craig Williams, chair of ISA’s communications committee and a farmer from Oaktown, Ind. “With the Glass Barn being in its fifth year at the Indiana State Fair, we continue to connect Indiana consumers to the mere two percent of the population who live on farms.”
ISA wants Indiana soybean farmers to participate in the activities at the Glass Barn, and there are several ways to be involved. •Volunteer for a four-hour shift during the 17 days of the Indiana State Fair. Contact Kelsey Lennon at klennon@indianasoybean.com or visit http://glassbarn.org/connect-with-us/beanteam-volunteer/ to sign up by July 14. Volunteers receive a ticket to the Fair, a T-shirt and a free meal. •Share a recent photo of your family farm to be featured in the Glass Barn. Email them to glassbarn@indianasoybean.com by July 21. •Visit the Glass Barn and bring a friend. The Glass Barn is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the Indiana State Fair, August 4-20. |
