KENTUCKY CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Corn Growers Unite in the Bluegrass State

Six corn producers and two agronomists left their fields and their jobs one summer’s day for an eventful meeting. Their goal was to form an organized group that would work together to enhance and expand the potential use and markets for corn and to provide a voice for the corn farmer in influencing beneficial legislation.

On July 15, 1982, the first meeting of the Kentucky Corn Growers’ Association convened. Wayne Hunt of Herndon, Wayne Pannell of Owensboro, John Barnett of Bagdad, Jim Barton of Lexington, Kenneth Hayden of Cecilia, and Mike Bruce of Hopkinsville became the founding KyCGA Board of Directors. Dr. Morris Bitzer of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Jim Herbek of the UK Research and Education Center were named KyCGA advisors.

By-laws were written and adopted, a complete Board of Directors was selected, and the first membership recruitment brochure was developed. The brochure expressed that promoting white corn, developing new products and expanding markets were the primary goals of the new association. By December, the KyCGA had 21 members.

This dynamic group of producers and researchers hit the ground running. Within six months of organizing, the KyCGA developed a promotional campaign and a series of grain production meetings, and held the first KyCGA Annual Meeting at an ethanol production plant in Simpson County that consumed 8.5 million bushels of corn each year. In this time, the price of corn increased 70 cents a bushel.

That summer, a severe drought plagued the Commonwealth. Production was decreased by half and average yield was 72 bushels per acre. Grain elevators were paying as much as $4 per bushel of corn. It was a hard time for producers, but the KyCGA took the lead and recruited more members. Membership grew to 93.

The KyCGA Board was dedicated to improving conditions for Kentucky’s corn farmers. They tailored the annual meetings to focus on important issues such as production practices and product development.

In 1988, 50 percent of the gasoline sold in Kentucky was blended with ethanol, which was the highest percentage in the country. Although always dedicated to promoting ethanol, the KyCGA was challenged later that year when consumers were turned away from the renewable gas by bad publicity created by oil companies. Since, ethanol has been the primary subject of most KyCGA consumer-targeted promotional campaigns and programs.

Serious check-off discussions began in 1989, and check-off was adopted by the State Legislature in 1990. On October 30, the Kentucky Corn Utilization Fund Committee was formed. The committee would collect in $.0025 of the gross value of all corn sold in Kentucky for the purpose of funding promotion, research and education.

It was time to locate a central office and chose an individual to run the show. On February 15, 1992, Todd Barlow, of Paducah, Ky., was named KyCGA Executive Director. The KyCGA/KCUFC office was placed at the Kentucky Farm Bureau headquarters in Louisville, Ky.

The KyCGA was then able to focus on developing more producer and consumer education programs and promotions.

In 1994, membership was at an all time high at 699 members. The KyCGA owed their membership success to Barbara-Fulcher Reynolds, a board member representing the Southeast Kentucky Corn Growers Association. She recruited 166 new members and was named the NCGA recruiter of the year.

E85 emerged in 1994 also and became a focal point for both organizations. The KyCGA and the Kentucky Corn Promotion Council (formerly, the KCUFC) worked hard to help the Kentucky State government obtain a fleet of E85 vehicles, which is now one of the largest flexible fuel fleets in the nation. The KyCGA was also instrumental in placing two public E85 fueling stations in the state in 1996 and 1997.

Another outstanding accomplishment of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association was funding the development of a Grain Quality Laboratory, which provides a free corn analysis for all Kentucky corn producers. Wanting to move Kentucky’s corn industry into the value-added market, Todd Barlow said the grain lab came before its time.

The KyCGA and Kentucky Corn Promotion Council are working together to move Kentucky’s corn industry into the 21st century by continuing to advance the production, utilization and marketing of Kentucky corn for future profitability. Whether it’s by working with the US Grains Council to increase exports, or forming a grass roots campaign to pass important legislation, the Kentucky Corn Growers’ Association is dedicated to serving its membership and the corn producers of Kentucky. And 1998 marks the year for new beginnings.

Past KyCGA Presidents			Past KCUF/KyCPC Chairmen
1982	Jim Barton		1990	Jim McElroy
1986	Earl Welborn		1998	Jim Barton
1989	Kenneth Hayden
1990	Richard Jones
1993	Scott Kuegel
1994	Richard Jones
1997	Bob Wade, Jr.