Iowa: Before another bountiful corn harvest begins, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) is reminding consumers about the economic importance of Iowa’s corn crop and the products that come from corn. ICPB has declared September as “Corn Month in Iowa.” “Iowa is the nation’s No. 1 producer of corn, and the corn industry helps the state flourish,” says Larry Jons, corn producer from Central City, Iowa, and an ICPB director. “Iowa’s farm sector supplies nearly $15 billion to the state economy each year, and corn is used in more than 4,000 food and non-food products.” During Corn Month, the ICPB salutes the state’s corn industry and works to help all Iowans understand its importance to their state and their lives. Already, events have been held to educate consumers. In conjunction with 10 Hy-Vee stores, county corn groups have been holding “Treasure Hunts” which educate and challenge shoppers to buy products that contain corn. Participants receive incentive gifts when they purchase products with corn. Building on Corn Month momentum, the ICPB will host a special educational display at Living History Farms in Urbandale on October 8-9, 2005. During Fall Harvest Festival, attendees will learn about the history of corn with hands-on activities. In addition participants will learn about modern varieties and uses of corn in cars, homes, and other staples of 21st century life.

Minnesota: Minnesota Farm Service Agency (FSA) will promote E85, the 85 percent ethanol vehicle fuel, by affixing prominent decals to USDA's entire fleet of E85-capable flex fuel leased vehicles. "This is an agency in a perfect position to be ahead of the curve on alternative fuels," said John Monson, executive director of the Minnesota FSA. "Because we serve production agriculture, we are face-to-face with our corn farmers and soybean growers-we see them everyday at our counters. And this is a great way to get behind them. This is also a way to send a message to all consumers that they are better off when they switch to alternative fuels." Since the 1990s the Federal government has directed all its agencies to increase the number of alternative-fuel capable vehicles on a graduated schedule. Currently, Federal leased fleets must be 75 percent alternative fuel or better. All of Minnesota FSA's fleet vehicles are E85-capable, while 84 percent of USDA Minnesota Rural Development's fleet are E85 vehicles. Monson recently asked Rural Development Director Steve Wenzel and Natural Resources Conservation Service Director Bill Hunt to join FSA in a commitment to go 100 percent E85-capable, and to place decals alerting the public to each vehicle's use of renewable energy. NRCS has by far the largest fleet, with more than 300 vehicles.