State Histories

VIRGINIA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION

The Virginia Corn Growers Association was formed in 1976. The first annual meeting was held in Williamsburg, Va., in February 1977. The meeting was attended by about a hundred producers. Shirley Green was elected as the first president, and Lyle Pugh as the first vice-president. These founders, along with an energetic Board of Directors, set to motion an association dedicated to the needs of Virginia corn producers.

Pugh served as the president for the next two years as the new organization strived to build membership and establish meaningful goals in the areas of promotion, education and research. A giant step forward occurred several years later with sponsorship and passage of a corn check-off Board for Virginia producers. This helped fund projects to accomplish goals important to Virginia corn producers. The organization quickly grew. A part time professional executive director was hired to manage the administrative business of the organization. The organization continued to grow and become more responsive to corn producers’ needs during the eighties and nineties.

The Virginia Corn Growers Association joined forces with the Virginia Soybean Association in the early 1980’s to sponsor The Virginia Corn and Soybean Conference. This three-day annual conference is attended by over 600 people, has over 70 exhibitions, and seminars that address local as well as international issues. The two commodity organizations also annually co-sponsor the Ag-Expo, a one-day ag field event. It is held on a rotating basis on farms across the state demonstrating innovating field plots and supplier products and services.

Emphasis in recent years has been on ethanol promotion, improving crop production efficiency and making changes as necessary to continue farming in an environmentally friendly manner. In an effort to promote public awareness of the value of corn production and corn products, displays are set up at fairs, Ag events, festivals, science, and school events. The Larry Gay Scholarship Program was established in 1997 to honor a great contributor to our industry and encourage perpetuating the vocation of agriculture in Virginia.