 |
| National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President-elect
Ken McCauley asks Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns a question
about permanent provisions for crop insurance on AgriTalk at
Husker Harvest Days last week. AgriTalk host Mike Adams is
also pictured. McCauley attended the event in Grand Island,
Neb., with NCGA CEO Rick Tolman. |
NCGA
Participates in Husker Harvest Days (9-19-05)
Husker
Harvest Days took place in Grand Island, Neb., last week as thousands
of farmers stopped by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA)
booth and attended a farm bill listening session hosted by Secretary
of Agriculture Mike Johanns. National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) CEO Rick Tolman and NCGA First Vice President-Elect Ken
McCauley attended all three days of the show.
“The Nebraska Corn Growers Association does a great job of
promoting corn and its uses to the citizens of Nebraska and the media,” said
Tolman. “They keep members informed and aware of the issues,
and make sure they get good value for their checkoff dollars.”
The show featured new equipment, field demonstrations and discussions
on agriculture. Tolman and McCauley spoke with Nebraska media about
significant issues facing farmers.
“There was good media interest in corn, grower interest in
ethanol and renewable energy, and general interest about the concerns
of rising costs impacting growers,” Tolman said.
McCauley said the event was an opportunity to meet growers in a
relaxed setting.
“It was a great chance to get NCGA’s story out. I talked
with Nebraska farmers, and it really helped me get a handle on what
was happening there,” said McCauley. “From an association
standpoint, it was important to hear what’s going on in Nebraska
growers’ minds on an individual basis.”
The listening session at Husker Harvest Days was one of 19 that
Johanns and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have held over the
past three months.
“Nebraska growers thank Mr. Johanns for giving us the opportunity
to have some input,” said Steve Ebke, NeCGA president. “It’s
important that government knows the issues that farmers are facing.”
“He’s really connected to the grassroots,” McCauley
said. “I told him that the sessions indicate he’s interested
to hear what’s going on. It gives him a really good handle
on what growers are thinking.”