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National Corn Growers Welcomes Indiana Corn Checkoff (5-29-01)
The National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA) welcomes the Indiana Corn Growers Association's
recent milestone. Indiana became the 20th state with a corn checkoff
when Gov. Frank O'Bannon approved a measure establishing a 1/2-cent
per bushel checkoff that begins Sept. 1.
The corn checkoff
allows farmers to boost profit opportunities by investing their pooled
funds in research, by cooperating with major commodity organizations
on stat, national and international market development efforts and by
disseminating information.
The farmers in other
checkoff states automatically pay the checkoff and, in some states,
can request a refund at the end of the year. Under the Indiana legislation,
farmers will register to participate in the program.
Indiana Corn Growers
Association (ICGA) president Mike Aylesworth, said, "I'm hoping
we'll get one million dollars this year."
There is still a
lot of work to be done, such as establishing the corn checkoff board
to administer the checkoff funds. Aylesworth explained nine farmers
will represent nine crop-reporting districts, plus a tenth at-large
position.
Speaking for the
Indiana Corn Growers Association, Aylesworth voiced his appreciation
with the state government. "We're really pleased," he said.
"We just want to thank the legislators and the governor for getting
this bill in place."
Last
reviewed May 29, 2001
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