Corn Board Candidate Profiles: Brent Rockhold
Editor's
Note: Over the next few weeks, NCGA will feature the profiles of
the growers seeking election to the National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) Corn Board. Elections will be held at the Corn Congress session
in Washington, D.C., July 13 - 14.
NCGA’s
nominating committee announced a slate of nine candidates for Corn
Board elections. Successful candidates will take their seats on
the board Oct. 1.
Rockhold
Believes Grassroots Essential to Corn Board and NCGA Issues (6-24-05)
Brent Rockhold
and his wife own and operate a family farm in Missouri raising corn,
soybeans and hay, as well as managing a beef cow/calf operation.
Rockhold’s
key issues fall in line with those of the association and include
energy, ethanol and working on modernizing the inland waterways
infrastructure. He says one of his main issues is to ensure that
NCGA and all corn growers maintain a strong presence and interest
in discussions for the next farm bill due in 2007.
“We must
work hard to maintain standing during the next farm bill discussions,”
Rockhold said. “We need to get positive legislation and full
funding back into rural development. Right now, the younger generation
is not staying interested in farming. That must change, and, with
the right funding, (young people) will have incentive to stay in
the area and build our rural communities.”
Citing his experience
with the Missouri Corn Growers Association, in addition to NCGA’s
Ethanol Committee, Rockhold affirms he would be a valuable addition
to the Corn Board to “Continue the great work the board has
done by working the many issues facing the board on a daily basis.”
“Missouri is a unique state,” he said. “We have
big and small farms throughout the state, which have very different
interests and directions they would like to see agriculture go in.
Having the experience dealing with these issues in depth with the
state ag groups, in addition to my state corn grower organization
leadership roles, will be a great asset as agriculture’s future
changes and develops.”
Rockhold said
NCGA has a strong voice and a strong grassroots foundation, and
he hopes to continue that as a board member. “NCGA has a strong
voice in the industry because of the integrity with our lobbying
efforts,” Rockhold said. “NCGA must stay within the
needs of the grassroots because that is where we draw our credibility
from.”
To view Brent
Rockhold’s entire Corn Board candidate profile, please click
here.