EXPANDING THE INFLUENCE
The Presidential Era/1974-1983

NCGA was poised for success during the next decade, but not without some growing pains. Corn grower presidents would be called upon not only to champion the vision of what the organization should be for U.S. corn growers but also to make personal and financial commitments to keep the association going.

In 1974, NCGA's Executive Committee voted down a proposal to restructure management and move the office from Boone to another location. The NCYC had become the financial backbone of NCGA, accounting for $27,000 of gross income of a total $49,812 from all sources. But the leadership was hesitant to proceed with changes with such a small financial base.

With much of the membership of NCGA based in Iowa and an interest in expanding the association, leaders saw a need to separate the Iowa Corn Growers Association from the national framework. President Thurman Gaskill said there was the need to make changes in office location and administration. Gaskill suggested directors be allocated based on each state's production and the concentration of directors in central Iowa be reduced.

While NCGA wrangled with the director issue, John Curry, Victoria, Ill., took over the reins as president in 1974. Emphasis remained on farm policy, including a recommendation that all corn farmers voluntarily cut 1975 corn acreage 20 percent below 1974 plantings. The request gained widespread media attention. In fact, both Top Farmers and Farm Futures magazines expressed interest in producing a corn grower publication with NCGA.

That year grower leaders moved their annual meeting to Kansas City, Mo., it was the first time it had ever been held outside of Iowa. Discussion began of expanding staff beyond executive vice president Krebs and executive secretary Doris King.

By 1976, corn grower members represented 47 states. Leaders at the time stated, "We feel one united organization can better represent our efforts in promotion and development of new and expanded markets for corn and corn products; sponsor research on corn production and marketing; and represent corn growers on questions and issues of concern."

Those statements came just as NCGA was about to make one of the biggest decisions since organizing in 1957. At a special meeting held in Moline, Ill., in 1977, new by-laws were approved. NCGA was restructured into a federation of state groups and state delegates were allowed to attend meetings to set national policy. State associations at the time included Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska and Virginia.

At their annual meeting in Peoria, Ill., NCGA board members decided to make other changes, including holding five regular board meetings and an annual meeting. President John Curry recognized Goeppinger's contributions to the 20-year-old organization and leaders approved the hiring of Donald Schlichte as the new NCGA executive vice president. Market development, budget, legislative and research operating committees were established and an improved two-page newsletter was adopted for better communication to members. NCGA's office moved to 815 Office Park Road, Des Moines, Iowa.

Structure changes continued in 1978 with the addition of vice presidents elected to chair standing committees. Growers discussed the value of the National Corn Yield Contest, which was consuming a great deal of time, and decided to continue it as long as income at least covered costs. Policy regarding grain alcohol was a priority in the resolutions which asked that, "renewable agricultural ethanol be used to fill increased demand so that U.S. consumption of non-renewable liquid fuels will not continue to rise." NCGA encouraged USDA to spend $3.5 to $4 million for grain alcohol research.

More changes were in store for the organization in 1979. Melvin (Mike) Hayenga was hired as executive vice president and the board signed a two-year lease for office space at 840 Hickman Road, Suite 23, in Des Moines. The board also formally met for the first time with leaders from the American Soybean Association (ASA).

NCGA designated July as national corn month in 1979, as they continued to press for a farm program that would cover the cost of production plus a reasonable profit and for an increase in the set-aside payment to encourage participation in the program. Russ Arndt, LaCrosse, Ind., was elected president that year, leading the charge on farm programs, as well as the fructose program, the NCYC, gasohol and transportation.

Changes occurred in funding as well in 1979. NCGA received $4,000 from the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina that year, which was the first promotion board to contribute to NCGA. Largely as a result of that contribution, NCGA Board began to discuss formation of the National Corn Development Foundation (NCDF). Other by-law changes were discussed, including adding one delegate for each 100 members of national membership dues received from the associations as shown by the records 90 days prior to each meeting.

NCGA was prepared to enter the 1980s, but the grain embargo arose and the need for a NCGA Washington office became clear. The necessity would be delayed, however, because rumor of disbanding NCGA was circulating due to a lack of funds. "

The Iowa Corn Growers had disaffiliated from the national," remembers Bill Mullins, then NCGA president, Shabbona, Ill. "I felt neither Iowa nor national could be effective or influential in representing corn growers until we became unified."

Not wishing to see 20-plus years of work thrown away, Mullins took out a personal loan for $50,000 to establish a line of credit for NCGA of $100,000. Mullins asked other farmers on the executive committee to sign the loan with him. "They all signed with some grumbling, but that was a turning point," says Mullins.

To strengthen NCGA effort, M.L. Hall & Associates of Washington, DC was hired for office administration and Washington representation in 1980. In light of the embargo, Mike Hall and Mullins spent much of their time working with Soviet Union officials, trying to keep the door open for market development and resumption of corn sales.

Such international concerns were top priorities throughout the early 1980s. NCGA expressed disappointment to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Kika de la Garza (D-TX) when exports were not quickly resumed to the U.S.S.R., and past president Russ Arndt wrote to the U.S. Trade Representative, "over the apparent resolve of the EEC (European Economic Community) to restrict imports of U.S.-manufactured corn gluten feed." Arndt noted, "We are now possibly faced with the loss of corn gluten feed exports valued annually at $500 million. With the U.S. farm economy presently under such severe economic duress, I am sure you will agree that such financial losses can't be absorbed and will only serve to prolong...economic recovery."

So prominent had NCGA's presence become in Washington that President Ronald Reagan agreed to keynote the 1982 annual meeting. It was the first time in NCGA history that the President of the United States had attended an annual meeting in person.

As NCGA battled for international policy, internal funding changes occurred. In 1982, the NCDF was founded to accept funds from state checkoff entities. A special meeting of the NCDF was held the following year to establish operating policy, review funding proposals and project reports. On the association side, a report on organizational structure and long range planning was issued.

As the presidential era drew to a close, NCGA membership grew to nearly 10,000. National dues remained at $15, but were separate from state dues. Responsibility for the NCYC had shifted to the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and NCGA's official magazine, The Corn Grower, was published nine times per year.

Other changes were also made. In 1983, NCGA opened its own office in Washington D.C., and discussed relocation of the national office. "The board hired a study done on where to put the national office," says Mullins. "They chose St. Louis because it was the center of the Corn Belt."

"When the St. Louis office opened, it provided the wherewithal and focus to maximize opportunities. NCGA really started making strides," observes Hal Smedley, who had been associated with both the USFGC and NCGA at the time.