AROUND THE CORN BELT
News from State Associations

ILLINOIS: Philip C. Thornton of Jerseyville, Ill., will assume the position of Value Enhanced Project Director for the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and the Illinois Corn Growers Association effective October 11, 2004. His primary responsibility is to work with corn producers and end users to identify market opportunities for corn with specific traits. He will facilitate business, financial and marketing plans as well as identifying funding and research needs to facilitate new or expanding corn markets.

MINNESOTA: Granite Falls Energy broke ground last Friday on a plant that will employ 35 people and bring more than $100 million in annual economic activity to Granite Falls, Minn. The venture is expected to revive the economy of this west central Minnesota town, which suffered two floods and an F-4 tornado within a five-year span.

IOWA: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirms the cost of ethanol is generally lower at the pump than regular and unleaded fuel. Reformulated ethanol blends are at least 2 cents per gallon cheaper on average than regular unleaded fuel, the agency said.

MISSOURI: On Oct. 1, 34 bi-partisan representatives from 10 Missouri and Mississippi River states wrote House Appropriations Committee leaders to seek removal of Sen. Conrad Burns' (R-Mont.) provisions to raise Missouri River reservoir levels to the point navigation would cease. The letter spearheaded by Reps. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) also warned that the provisions could lead to "suspending Mississippi River commerce - the 'backbone' of the Midwest economy - as early as October 2004."

KANSAS: The Kansas Corn Growers Association applauded Senate approval of the Corporate Tax Bill last week. “There is no doubt that VEETC and the small producer credit will help our growing ethanol industry,” according to KCGA Executive Director Jere White. “Passing an energy bill with the Renewable Fuels Standard remains a priority. Not only do our growers and the ethanol industry need the RFS, our country needs a sound, comprehensive energy policy.”

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NCGA Invites Growers to Apply for Corn Board

The NCGA Nominating Committee -- Corn Board Chairman Dee Vaughan, Larry Jons, Duane Adams, Greg Guenther and Ron Woollen, invite corn growers to be an integral part of NCGA's leadership by applying for a position on the NCGA Corn Board.

Nominated candidates will be introduced at the Corn Congress meeting during the 2005 Commodity Classic in Austin, Texas Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2005 meeting of the NCGA Corn Congress in Washington, D.C.

This is your opportunity to help strengthen the future of NCGA through leadership service on the Corn Board. Applications materials are located on the NCGA Leader Resource Center (http://www.insidencga.com/index.v3page?p=916) under the "What's New?" header, and are available in MSWord and PDF format. Applications have also been sent via US Mail to delegates, alternates, team and committee members, and state organization offices. Applications are due into Kathy Baker in the St. Louis office by close-of-business Friday, January 14, 2005.

The Nominating Committee members look forward to hearing from you! If you have questions, please feel free to call Chairman Dee Vaughan at 806/935-2580; or one of the other members of the Nominating Committee: Larry Jons, 319/438-1216; Duane Adams, 320/877-7259; Greg Guenther, 618/277-2105; Ron Woollen, 308/478-5566; or Kathy Baker at the NCGA St. Louis office, 636/733-9004, ext 111.

Please note: If you have trouble accessing the LRC or application materials, or need an additional copy of the application, please contact me at the numbers or email below and a set of materials will be faxed, mailed or emailed to you—whatever you like, just let me know.