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New
NCGA Chairman Reflects on Corn Grower Accomplishments as President (10-1-01)
"Excitement."
That's the word
Lee Klein uses when asked to sum up his year as the president of the
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).
"It's just
been a very exciting year with a lot of changes and new opportunities
for the nation's corn growers," Klein said. The Battle Creek, Neb.,
farmer turned the responsibility of president over to Tim Hume of Walsh,
Colo., and assumed the duties of chairman of the board for NCGA, effective
Oct. 1.
"So many people
within NCGA are developing great leadership skills," continued
Klein. "It's been fun to have perhaps been a catalyst for some
of those growers to have started their careers to become great leaders.
We have all kinds of potential because the people in this organization
have the opportunity to lead and I look forward to watching NCGA grow
even more in the future."
Klein has definitely
had a busy year as the NCGA's top officer. Trips abroad to Thailand,
as well as a ground-breaking visit to the European Union (EU) to discuss
biotechnology with the agricultural leaders in Europe have kept Klein's
passport in heavy use, while also traveling extensively within the U.S.
to proudly represent the nation's corn growers.
Klein has also helped
make NCGA a force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill, making several
important testimonies on matters such as, ethanol, Trade Promotion Authority
(TPA), Farm Bill and conservation. Furthermore, Klein has helped wield
NCGA's influence with both the Clinton and the Bush administrations
on such issues as making ethanol and renewable energy a key element
of the new energy bill, passing TPA to help U.S. businesses get back
in the game of international trade, and basing the new Farm Bill on
market-oriented principles.
On Klein's watch
the organization has represented growers in the development of new markets
that will use corn to make chemical feedstocks, improve the efficiency
of ethanol production and to make fabrics for clothing and industrial
uses from corn. The NCGA has also demonstrated leadership in biotechnology
development and regulation by convincing companies to commercialize
biotech products only after achieving clearances both domestically and
with international customers.
Klein doesn't plan
to rest on his laurels, however. Even though Hume assumes the position
of NCGA president today, Klein's schedule won't be any less busy with
his new role as Corn Board chairman and, as he has done in the past,
is setting high goals for himself.
"I'm really
going to focus on our 'Big Rock' issues of Farm Bill, trade, research,
ethanol, transportation and biotech," Klein said. "There are
so many irons we have in the fire right now and they're all very important
to the prosperity of the nation's corn growers. Whether it's the ethanol
issue in California or biotechnology issues with the EU, we need to
make growers aware of what's going on and to let them know what they
can do to help their fellow corn growers."
When asked about
his contributions to NCGA, Klein showed his usual modesty.
"I'd like to
think I've done a good job and have laid the groundwork for Tim (Hume)
to continue to lead and represent the great people NCGA represents."
Last
reviewed October 1, 2001
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