Now, perhaps more than any other time in history, our country’s corn producers are in the national and global spotlight.
The glare of public scrutiny and the
pressure to perform at record levels
have never been greater.

And they have responded to these challenges in championship fashion—
because they have trained for this moment for decades.

In many ways, their journey has been like a marathon—a long grueling race requiring a deliberate pace and an unwavering commitment to achieving a
difficult goal. For example, the renewable fuels standard took years of hard work before we crossed the finish line—only to
discover the race has only entered its first mile in helping America seize control of its energy future.

There are also similarities to a sprint—as rapid changes in the ethanol and corn markets have required farmers to ramp up quickly to change their businesses to meet demand.

In other ways, it’s been a relay—as corn producers have formed coalitions among themselves and with other like-minded organizations to create an environment for success. From seed genetics companies to conservation groups, from commodity organizations to policy makers—this teamwork has been essential for the corn industry to continue carrying the baton for the nation’s food, fuel, feed and fiber supply.

Like a decathlete, an American corn producer is expected to excel in a variety of competitive venues—providing high quality food for the world, supplying feed for the livestock industry, generating the feedstock for the burgeoning ethanol industry and finding new ways for corn to solve new challenges while, at the same time, protecting the environment.

One thing is clear: U.S. corn producers aren’t simply clearing the bar. They are flying over it with room to spare.

And they continue to challenge themselves by setting the standard ever higher.