National Corn Growers Association

More Farming. Fewer Uncertainties.

Corn farming is full of uncontrollable things like weather and the markets. How you farm isn’t one of them. Sustainable farming practices that build up soil health allow you to take more control of your farm by strengthening productivity and enabling profitability.

That’s why NCGA offers a broad portfolio of programs to help corn farmers explore and enact sustainable farming practices that work best for your operation.

Facts

Since 1980, corn farmers have been working to improve the quality of soil, water and air around our farms.

Soil loss per bushel of corn has decreased by 51 percent.
Corn production has seen a 30 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per bushel.
The energy used to produce a bushel of corn has decreased by 38 percent.

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present while improving the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

NCGA is proud to be part of Field to Market a collaborative stakeholder group involving producers, agribusinesses, food and retail companies, and conservation organizations striving to develop a supply chain system for agricultural sustainability.

Field to Market focuses on these specific, critical outcomes: increasing agricultural productivity to meet future nutritional needs while decreasing impacts on the environment, including water, soil, habitat, air quality and climate emissions, and land use; improving human health through access to safe, nutritious food; and improving the social and economic well-being of agricultural communities.

In its first report issued in January 2009, the alliance looked at environmental resource indicators in five areas: water use and quality, land use and biodiversity, soil loss, energy use and climate impact. The report reviewed indicators for corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat and reported on progress from 1987 to 2007. Follow-up reports in 2012 and 2016 revealed our nation’s corn farmers have a good story to tell, with improvement across all metrics.

“The science and technology driving Field to Market is designed to measure environmental outcomes from individual farm fields. These metrics are science-based tools that have been developed or adopted by Field to Market through the multi-stakeholder governance process,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, a Nebraska farmer. “I think the stakeholder diversity behind Field to Market is one of its core strengths. There is an understanding that to make a profit, farmers need to sustain both the land and the business, and the exciting take-away from this report is that we now have the means to show you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.”

Click here for the 2016 report.

Environmental indicators looked at water use and quality, land use and biodiversity, soil loss, energy use and climate impact. Corn improved on many key areas of resource efficiency.

The total change in 2015 when compared to 1980 for U.S. corn for grain production were as follows:

Production Trends: Total corn for grain production increased (+119%) and crop yields improved by +61%.
Resource Efficiency: Corn for grain improved resource efficiency with declines in per bushel land use (-41%), irrigation water use (-46%), energy use (-41%), and greenhouse gas emissions (-31%) and improvements in soil conservation (tons of soil loss per acre) (-58%).
Per Acre and Total Resource Impact: Corn for grain also improved (decreased) for irrigation water use (-26%), energy use (-.5%), and greenhouse gas emissions (-26%) on a per acre basis.

“Consumers are increasingly asking questions about where and how their food is produced, and Field to Market offers a broad, credible partnership across the food and value chain to answer these questions and deliver sustainable outcomes,” according to Hunnicutt, a board member of the National Corn Growers Association and the first farmer to be selected as chairman of Field to Market.

Field to Market is developing and piloting scalable, science- and outcome-based sustainable metrics and tools to identify strategies for continuous improvement in agriculture. These tools are the result of dialogue with farmers, agribusinesses, food and retail companies and conservation organizations, which is grounded in science and open to the full range of technology choices available.

Sustainability News

October 9, 2020

Sustainability Research to Drive Corn Demand and Collaboration Continues with Industry Partners

Sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand and that’s been the focus of a partnership...

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September 1, 2020

Post-Harvest is a Great Time to Establish Pollinator Habitat

Fall is the best time to establish a pollinator habitat for a couple of key reasons, according...

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August 26, 2020

NCGA to Support EPA and USDA on Future Fertilizer Strategies

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture...

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August 3, 2020

America’s Watershed Initiative Appoints New Executive Director

Kim Lutz has been named as the new Executive Director for the America's Watershed Initiative....

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July 28, 2020

Pollinator Protection Efforts Continue to Expand

Throughout the growing season, farmers utilize stewardship practices for proper pesticide use...

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July 14, 2020

NCGA Mid-Year Report Offers Look at Efforts to Help Corn Farmers Meet the Challenges of 2020

Despite marketing and economic challenges and a pandemic, farmer leaders of National Corn...

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July 9, 2020

Soil Health Partnership Releases Cover Crop Planting Report

The Soil Health Partnership’s Cover Crop Planting Report shows that farmers are...

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June 30, 2020

Jobman Recognized For Sustainable Farming Practices

National Corn Growers Association is proud to announce Nebraska farmer Andy Jobman has been...

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June 24, 2020

Senate Ag Committee Reviews Growing Climate Solutions Act

The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today held a hearing to review...

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June 23, 2020

Pollinator Week is a Good Time to Review Best Management Practices

National Pollinator Week is June 22-28, 2020, so it is an excellent time to think about the best...

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June 4, 2020

Senate Legislation Promotes Agriculture in Climate Policy

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today endorsed the Growing Climate Solutions Act,...

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May 27, 2020

Second Annual BeSure Campaign Aims to Help Bees

The second annual “BeSure!” campaign supported by National Corn Growers Association is underway...

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May 22, 2020

New Faces, New Experiences, SHP Welcomes New Intern

This summer, the Soil Health Partnership welcomes Krystin Oborny to the staff as an intern....

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May 13, 2020

Farmers' Passion for Stewardship Remains Strong in Uncertain Times

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for...

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May 6, 2020
PepsiCo Partnership with Farmers Cutting Greenhouse Gas
In a big win for clean air, corn farmers in Illinois and PepsiCo have documented the ability to...
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April 29, 2020
Use Crop Protection Products Safely and Responsibly
Deciding how to manage weeds, insects, and diseases that routinely attack crops and landscapes...
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April 23, 2020
Calculated, Data-Driven, Measured and Profitable Success Key to Growing Stewardship
It may sound like heresy, but getting the highest yields possible on your farm may not be the...
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April 22, 2020
Minnesota Farmers Successfully Merge Pursuit for Efficiency and Stewardship
Matt Alford and Sam Peterson’s Minnesota farms maybe 100 miles apart, but when it comes to...
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April 3, 2020
Cover Crop Survey Seeks Farmer Insights
An online survey at https://bit.ly/CCSurvey2020 is gathering perspective on cover crops from...
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March 31, 2020
Sustainability Focus Continues to Grow at NCGA
A new Corn Sustainability Advisory Group (CSAG) met recently to discuss how NCGA can focus on...
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March 12, 2020
Soil Health Network Broadens Reach with Podcast
The Soil Health Partnership will launch a new podcast called “The People of Soil Health” on...
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February 27, 2020
New Stewardship Network Celebrates Growing Momentum on Conservation in Agriculture
Initiative from National Corn Growers Association and Environmental Defense Fund will help...
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February 26, 2020
Ep. 3: Climate-Proofing Agriculture and Adding Value to the Industry, with EDF
Listen to Wherever Jon May Roam on iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify or wherever you get your...
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February 20, 2020
Farmers Join Forces for Sustainability and Responsible Climate Policy
This week, NCGA joined 21 farm groups to publicly launch Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF)....
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February 13, 2020
NOVEL APPROACH REWARDS FARMERS FOR ADOPTING EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICES
This week supporters of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) are meeting to discuss...
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February 12, 2020
Now Is A Great Time to Consider Pollinator Habitat
A growing partnership between the National Corn Growers Association and the Bee and Butterfly...
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February 5, 2020
Soil Health Partnership Expands Capabilities with New Staff
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is pleased to introduce Dr. Carrie Roever as the new Data...
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February 4, 2020
NCGA’s Annual Report Reflects On Significant Wins Amidst Challenging Times
The National Corn Growers Association’s Ann ual Report for the 2019 fiscal year is now available...
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December 9, 2019
Winter is a Great Time to Plan Monarch Habitats
Continuing to expand pollinator habitat was a central...
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November 22, 2019
Growing Trust A Key Development Driving Sustainability Efforts
The word “sustainability” may be a bit over-used in agriculture, but it is way more than a buzz...
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October 23, 2019
NCGA Joins America’s Conservation Ag Movement
Driving sustainable farming practices is a priority of NCGA. That’s why it joined the America’s...
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September 16, 2019
Farmers Must Play Key Role in Effort to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Efforts throughout society, and virtually every industry, to cut greenhouse gases are underway...
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August 27, 2019
Teeter Joins SHP as Minnesota Field Manager
Anna Teeter is SHP’s newest team member, joining as a Field Manager covering Minnesota. Anna...
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August 22, 2019
Conservation Action Tour Showcases Advances in Sustainability
NCGA Stewardship and Sustainability Director Rachel Orf is in central Iowa this week attending...
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August 1, 2019
Soil Health Partnership Celebrates 5 Years of Growth and Collaboration
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) has been fostering transformation in agriculture through...
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July 30, 2019
Senate Staffers Hear About the Intersection of Soil Health and Climate Change
A standing-room-only crowd attended a briefing: “An Overview of Climate Smart Agriculture...
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July 26, 2019
Annual Monarch Blitz Kicks Off July 27
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 3rd Annual International Monarch Monitoring Blitz in Canada,...
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July 19, 2019
SHP Soil Sessions: Crop Update and Scouting Tips
You still have time to sign up for a unique webinar to get a U.S. crop update and learn crop...
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July 12, 2019
Cover Crop Benefits Clearer in Drought and Wet Years
Joe Breker needs his own tee shirt that reads “No Tillage, More Plants” or “Cover Crops Are Good...
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June 26, 2019
Sustainability: Making Dollars and Sense in Agricultural Sustainability Programs
Consumer interest in where and how their food is produced is on the rise, and many leading...
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June 25, 2019
SHP Testifies in Support of Investment and Collaboration in Soil Health Practices
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) Executive Director, Dr. Shefali Mehta testified today at a...
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June 19, 2019
Virtual Reality Immerses Viewers in Monarch Butterflies’ 3000-Mile Migration
The Monarch Effect, an interactive, virtual reality experience, will debut today during National...
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June 19, 2019
Mesko joins SHP as Development Director
The Soil Health Partnership is pleased to announce that John Mesko has joined as the Development...
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June 19, 2019
Byerly Joins SHP as Kansas & Nebraska Field Manager
Keith Byerly has joined the Soil Health Partnership as the Kansas and Nebraska Field Manager....
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June 17, 2019
Pollinator Week Is A Great Time To Think Small
So many big things on a farm: buildings, equipment, fields, and even the scale of business...
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June 7, 2019
Ag Innovation and Sustainability on Display at DC Area Farm
Key staff from multiple government agencies are getting a crash course in the latest farming...
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June 5, 2019
U.S. Farmers Should Take a Bow on World Environment Day
Today is World Environment Day and for U.S. farmers that makes it a great time to celebrate...
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May 22, 2019
Efforts to Help Struggling Honey Bee Population Gaining Momentum
Corn is wind pollinated and does not benefit from insect pollination so why the heck do corn...
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April 3, 2019
Exploring the Role of Corn Sustainability in the Beef Supply Chain
The National Corn Growers Association participated in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s...
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April 2, 2019
NCGA Releases Pollinator Protection Guide
The National Corn Growers Association – in partnership with the Honey Bee Health Coalition – is...
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March 28, 2019
Good Weed! Bad Weed!
If you’re a city dweller, you probably don’t think much about weeds except for the occasionally...
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March 25, 2019
Soil Health Partnership Announces Several Open Positions
As the Soil Health Partnership heads into its fifth year of long-term data collection on working...
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March 19, 2019
Consider Pollinator Plantings as You Gear Up for Spring
If you are a Monarch butterfly supporter buckle up because here’s some good news. The yearly...
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March 6, 2019
Minnesota Farm Family Represents Generations of Stewardship
A Minnesota farm family’s four generation conservation initiative garnered national attention at...
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February 26, 2019
The Bottom-Line Benefits of Sustainability
In today’s economic environment it’s more important than ever to focus on business survival as a...
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February 20, 2019
Planting is Coming and So Are the Pests. Are You Ready?
If you haven’t looked into the innovative and proactive Take Action initiative of late, it might...
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February 13, 2019
Soil Health Partnership Call for Proposals
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) announced it is accepting proposals for partnerships and...
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January 28, 2019
RFA & NCGA Co-Title Sponsorship of 2019 Crappie Masters Tournament Trail Begins This Week
The 2019 season of the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail begins later this week, with the...
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January 17, 2019
Weak Farm Economy Not Hampering Drive to Healthier Soils
This week’s Soil Health Summit 2019 with Soil Health Partnership was the largest ever—360...
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January 16, 2019
Second Annual Soil Health Summit Awards Honor Best in Soil Health
Five dedicated leaders in soil health received “Seeds of Change” awards at the 2019 Soil Health...
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January 15, 2019
Look Down, You Are Standing on Our Future
How do we feed a growing population and meet additional, related demand from other sectors for...
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December 11, 2018
NCGA Statement on WOTUS Rule
National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Chrisp made the following statement on the...
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December 4, 2018
Soil Health Partnership Expands New Program to Grow Network and Data
Just in time for World Soil Day on December 5, the Soil Health Partnership announced it is...
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November 15, 2018
NCGA, USFRA Put Farming Sustainability in the Spotlight in Denver
The National Corn Growers Association joined other agricultural groups in telling farmers’...
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November 15, 2018
NCGA Names Robyn Allscheid Director of Research and Productivity
The National Corn Growers Association welcomes back Robyn Allscheid, who rejoins the...
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November 14, 2018
Environmental Defense Fund, National Corn Growers Association Launch First-of-Its-Kind Partnership
Powerful collaboration will scale conservation through data, policy and farmer...
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November 8, 2018
Commodity Classic Registration Opens Wednesday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. Central
Registration for America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational...
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August 24, 2018
Solutions to Lake Erie’s Nutrient Issues Found in Emerging Partnerships
Water management and water quality are the key focus this week for State and National Corn...
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August 21, 2018
NCGA Joins Efforts to Block WOTUS
On Monday, a broad coalition of agriculture organizations, including the National Corn Growers...
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August 16, 2018
Dr. Shefali Mehta Tapped as New Leader of Soil Health Partnership
Shefali Mehta had a fascination with plants from early in her childhood. From her time growing...
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August 2, 2018
Get #SoilSmart: Soil Health Partnership Launches Soil Health Awareness Campaign
Visit Brian Corkill’s Twitter page, and you’ll learn that he’s a farmer, husband, father, Illini...
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July 30, 2018
Good Steward Aug. 6, Deadline Rapidly Approaching
If you have a farmer friend, neighbor or family member who epitomizes the title “Good Steward”...
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July 2, 2018
Recognizing Good Stewardship Matters
If you have a farmer friend, neighbor or family member who epitomizes the title “Good Steward”...
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July 2, 2018
Field to Market Sustainability Efforts Continue to Grow
Representatives from farmers through the entire production chain met in Madison, Wis. last week...
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April 20, 2018
Collaborative Effort on Climate Change
If the farming profession had a job description somewhere it would say good problem-solving...
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March 26, 2018
Soil Health Partnership Begins Search for New Director as Organization Continues to Grow
Goeser to remain engaged in new role with National Corn Growers Association As the Soil...
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March 12, 2018
Soil Health Partnership Builds One of Largest U.S. Databases of Soil Health Sample Info from Working Farms
The seeds of good data have been planted—and the Soil Health Partnership is eager to harvest...
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March 1, 2018
Kansas Farm Family Showcases New Sustainability Ethic on the Farm
A Kansas farm family’s soil-friendly, progressive farming practices and contributions to...
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February 22, 2018
This Grain Bin Safety Week, Remember the Importance of Precaution
The National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers of the importance of proper grain bin...
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February 22, 2018
New Virtual Reality Video Tells Soil Health Story from ‘Every Angle’
As interest grows in soil health and its potential to optimize farming, the Soil Health...
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More Sustainability News