Communication and Education

Date: 7/07
Position Number: IV-E
Expires: 3/08

Background: U.S. corn growers, as part of the corn industry, will positively position the value of corn and corn production.

Resolution/Position:

1. Accountability
   1. Emphasize the value of NCGA membership.
   2. Communicate how checkoff dollars are invested to benefit all corn producers.
   3. Encourage all corn grower members to participate in the development and evaluation of all NCGA programs.
2. Political Involvement
   1. Encourage individual corn producers to be more politically active.
   2. Encourage the promotion of the Corn Political Action Committee.
3. Consumer Communications. Broaden communications to consumers regarding corn and its valueadded products.
4. Education
   1. Encourage cooperation of agricultural groups for the development of academic standard based agricultural classroom materials.
   2. Work toward developing an advisory panel consisting of farm organizations, education institutions, agribusinesses, and commodity groups. This panel would be available to identify and review educational and other materials for agricultural accuracy.
   3. Support the continued education of farmers on current and emerging issues.
   4. Support the coordination of education programs with Extension, FFA and 4-H dealing with corn grower programs.
   5. Expand public awareness of corn-based products through the development and use of uniform logos and trademarks on consumer packaging.
5. Farmer Image
   1. Encourage and work with agribusiness companies and organizations to improve and promote the positive image of production agriculture by:
      1. Being more selective of the advertising markets they choose.
      2. Using advertisements that portray agriculture as a modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible business.
      3. Focusing more on the environmental concern and stewardship of producers and their ability to produce for a global market.
   2. Disparagement: Support the passage of legislation, which provides recourse for farmers who suffer economic damage from the dissemination of misleading or otherwise false information about agricultural products and/or prac tices.
6. Producer Communication
   1. Support efforts to provide high-speed data, voice and video technologies to corn growers.
   2. Encourage competition to provide increased access and lower cost service that is balanced with the needs of rural and other captive customers.
7. Support passage of “Small Business Health Fairness Act”.