Michigan corn growers association2010 annual report

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welcome From the presidentThis past year has been very exciting for those involved in Michigan’s corn industry, as well as for the Michigan Corn Growers

Association (MCGA).For the second year in a row, the MCGA saw a new record membership number, attaining more than 1,000 members for the first

time ever last August. With this great feat, the MCGA is able to provide additional information and education to our members and also have a stronger presence in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Once again, we would like to take the time to say thank you, as we truly appreciate your membership and support.

Since we are a grassroots association, focused on corn-friendly policy development, we have concentrated a great deal of time on national and state legislation, as well as the recent November elections. Although agriculture is the second leading industry in Michigan, it seldom gets the attention it deserves during important political debates. Throughout 2010, the MCGA worked to find answers about important corn issues from the candidates running for office. The MCGA was instrumental in hosting the first of its kind Gubernatorial Forum on Michigan Agriculture in March. This event brought together nearly twenty different commodity groups, all of whom were eager to hear how agriculture would be impacted by the next Governor of our state. The Forum proved to be a huge success and was the first look for many at the current Governor, Mr. Rick Snyder. We are excited that our organization and our members were at the forefront of this important event and we are confident that as a result, our state’s powerful agricultural industry will not be overlooked by Governor Snyder in the years ahead.

Also in 2010, the MCGA developed a candidate newsletter, which surveyed candidates running for seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Senate or U.S. Congress. Candidates who responded to the MCGA questionnaire disclosed their feelings on important corn-related topics such as grants and incentives for renewable fuels; tax increases; opportunities for ag-based products; and advancing in-state agricultural processing. More than fifty candidates answered the MCGA survey and the results were published in a newsletter dispersed to all MCGA members. Our hope is that this newsletter helped you, our members, to learn more about your candidate’s views on corn production and aided you in making those important voting decisions in November.

In addition to our important political work, the MCGA has dedicated time again this year to providing our members with an opportunity to meet and network with supporters, sponsors and other members. One method of networking is our annual golf outings held during the summer. This year’s outings were held in Sunfield and Sandusky and more than 170 people participated. This fall, the annual Ethanol Night at the Races was held at Dixie Motor Speedway. The event was an amazing success with a record number of more than 1,000 attendees.

In February, the MCGA held its annual meeting, where nearly 200 corn growers, industry leaders, legislators and aides met to discuss topics regarding the corn industry. Attendees were treated to two keynote speakers: Jerry Gulke, principal owner of The Gulke Group and author of the Marketing Strategies column in Top Producer, and Kip Cullers, a corn grower from Missouri and several time winner of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Yield Contest. The event also featured a review of important legislation, a presentation on feral swine and sandhill cranes in Michigan, and recognition of growers who received various awards throughout the year.

The MCGA board of directors and I are proud of the association’s achievements in 2010 and we look forward to another successful year in 2011. I hope you enjoy reading through this annual report and learning more about the MCGA’s legislative activities, membership events and the benefits available to our members. If you have any questions, comments or concerns for the MCGA, contact us at 1-888-323-6601. Sincerely,

Ed Breitmeyer, MCGA President

about the McgaThe Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is a grassroots membership organization that has a long and rich history.

Using their affiliation with the National Corn Growers Association, a small group of farmers decided to organize an association in Michigan to promote their projects and hold educational meetings. Through their diligent efforts, the MCGA was officially launched in 1972. Efforts to improve the profitability of corn farming included marketing seminars, educational meetings, research plots, political action activities and tradeshows. Today, the MCGA focuses on policy work, both in Lansing and in Washington D.C., that will enhance the economic viability of corn farmers through fair and just regulations, trade agreements and legislation.

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legislative VictoriesThrough our mission to enhance the economic viability of

corn growers, the MCGA focuses on policy work, not only in Lansing, but also in Washington, D.C. The MCGA works for passage of fair and just regulations, trade agreements and legislation. In 2010, much of our efforts focused on national issues, including various ethanol and environmental matters, in addition to trade and estate concerns. On the heels of the very controversial health care bill and in the face of an upcoming election, many politicians were unwilling to compromise on issues across party lines or to push legislation that was not well understood by the general public. Many of our battles in 2010 were long and uphill, but our dedicated team of lobbyists and you the growers, fought each until the bitter end and were able to secure positive outcomes on those issues that matter most to you, our MCGA members.

VeetcWith the $0.45 blenders credit set to expire

at the end of 2010, corn growers across the country set the extension of the Volumetric

Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) as their number one priority for the year. The MCGA

worked alongside the NCGA and other state corn offices tirelessly throughout the duration of 2010 to

ensure an extension of this and other important ethanol tax incentives.

Though legislation to extend the tax credits was introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in early spring, Congress did not move with any urgency to pass either piece of legislation. As the summer and fall sped past, the MCGA, NCGA and other corn state groups spent countless hours working with key leaders in both the House and the Senate and many corn growers, including ten MCGA members, spent time in the offices of Washington, D.C. leaders urging their support. The MCGA and its board of directors, as well as many of its members, sent letters to each of our members of Congress and joined forces with three national ethanol organizations to secure an extension of the VEETC.

Gratefully, our year long efforts paid off when a one year extension of the VEETC was included as part of a major tax extenders bill. The bill, deemed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, was a bipartisan compromise which combined a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers and a seamless extension of a package of expired/expiring individual and business tax provisions. In addition to the VEETC, a few other important provisions for the ethanol industry were also in the bill. These include: a one year extension of the tariff on imported ethanol at its current rate of 54 cents per gallon; and a one year extension of the Small Ethanol Producer Tax Credit at its current rate of 10 cents per gallon. President Obama signed the bill into law late Friday, December 17.

partial e15 approvalAfter more than 18 months of waiting for a response, the

EPA approved fuel blends which contain up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) for vehicles 2007 and newer in October of 2010. This decision came after a national ethanol organization, Growth Energy, submitted a waiver to the EPA requesting the maximum amount of ethanol permitted in unleaded fuel be raised from 10 to 15 percent, as it has been for more than three decades. This initial ruling is a great victory for the American ethanol industry and an important step in reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

Though the initial EPA approval only permitted the last four model years to consume E15 blends, this ruling applied to 43 million vehicles across the nation – nearly 20 percent of the vehicles on the road today. The EPA continued to review data on model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles throughout the rest of 2010 and recently ruled on these vehicles on January 21, 2011. During their second announcement regarding E15, the EPA expanded their approval of E15 use to include vehicles produced in 2001 – 2006. This secondary ruling applies to an additional 86 million vehicles for a total of 54 percent of the U.S. car and light truck fleet.

The approval of higher blends of ethanol will open up the United States’ fuel markets to allow for an increase in the consumption of American-made ethanol and thus decrease our foreign oil consumption. For additional information on the safety of higher blends for older and newer vehicles, please visit http://www.ncga.com/tested.

estate taxAnother area of major concern

for farmers across the country in 2010 was the estate tax. Though estates of persons passing in 2010

were exempt from an estate tax for the year, rules set in place under

previous legislation scheduled the estate tax to revert back to a $1 million exemption and 55 percent top rate in 2011. Frequently, growers who inherit farms after the passing of a loved one inherit assets of great value; however these assets are in the form of land, machinery and buildings, not cash, stocks and bonds, or other easily liquidated assets. With the very limited $1 million exemption, many of America’s farmers would have been forced to sell some of the farm assets to pay the steep inheritance tax.

After much work by pro-agriculture groups including the MCGA, a two year reformed estate tax was included in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in late December. The legislation provides for a $5 million exemption and a top rate of 35 percent. This estate tax reform will allow our MCGA members and other farmers greater flexibility when planning for the future, without the threat of losing their land to pay an inheritance tax.

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Michigan Delegation comes to power As a result of the recent elections, Michigan and three

of its elected officials in Washington, D.C. will be playing a new leadership role in the 112th session of Congress. The House of Representatives will see a change in power as the Republican party takes the majority of the seats and with this change in power will also come a change in committee chairmen (committees are chaired by the majority party). Congressman Dave Camp, previously vice chair of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, will now chair the committee. Also chairing an important committee in the House of Representatives is Congressman Fred Upton, who will now chair the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. Each of these committees will be instrumental as we move forward in the year ahead with important legislation, including a restructuring of biofuels tax credits and other ethanol incentives.

Although Democrats will narrowly maintain control of the U.S. Senate, previous Senate Agriculture Committee chair Senator Blanche Lincoln from Arkansas was defeated in the November elections, leaving her chair position open. With her departure from Congress, Senator Debbie Stabenow, who has sat on the committee since her election to the U.S. Senate in 2000, becomes the senior-most member of the Senate Agriculture Committee who is not currently holding a chairmanship on another committee. Senator Stabenow, who previously sat on Agriculture Committees in both the United States House of Representatives and the Michigan House of Representatives, will now lead the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and will play a vital role in the next Farm Bill. In support of her rise to this position, the MCGA sent a letter of endorsement to Senator Stabenow stating our excitement for her new role and our willingness to assist her however we can. We look forward to working with each of these new leaders in 2011.

state VictoriesIn Lansing, the MCGA has been focused on protecting

agriculture within our state. Throughout the year, we have worked diligently on passing legislation to allow for on-farm processing of ethanol, but regrettably, this legislation died with the end of the 2010 legislative calendar. Despite this small defeat, our champions in Lansing have vowed to continue working on this legislation in the New Year. Additionally, the MCGA has assisted other agricultural groups in 2010 to pass legislation to combat the growing feral swine problem and to fight an unfair and anti-agriculture proclamation from Governor Granholm through an executive order.

Feral swineThroughout the state, farmers have faced crop damage

as a result of a growing problem in Michigan; feral swine. As these animals have wreaked havoc on other Michigan industries as well, a feral swine working group was developed to try to find a solution to Michigan’s wild hog population. The MCGA participated as part of this working group to ensure that Michigan corn growers were kept in mind as a resolution was created. As a result of the group’s work, several pieces of legislation were developed, all of which were supported by the MCGA. The first of these bills, H.B. 5822, was passed in June of 2010, and declares feral swine as a nuisance species and allows for the opportunistic take of any free-ranging pig running at large. The bill allows: anyone with a concealed pistol permit or valid hunting license to kill swine running at large on public property; landowners or other authorized persons to kill swine running at large on private property; and local animal control officers and law enforcement to kill swine running at large on

either public or private property. In December, former Department of Natural Resources and

Environment Director Rebecca Humphries signed an order to make feral swine and wild boar an invasive species in Michigan. The order will become effective on July 8, 2011, which gives the state legislature time to enact laws to provide regulations for facilities that

currently provide wild boar breeding and hunting. If legislation is not passed to regulate the facilities, the invasive species order will go in to effect, making it illegal to possess wild boar in Michigan. Also introduced in 2010 were H.B.

6384, 6385 and 6386. These bills proposed new regulations for the sporting swine

industry, but no action was taken on them before the end of the legislative session. To learn more about feral swine and where they have been sighted or killed, visit www.michigan.gov/feralswine.

Michigan Meat-out DayWhen Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared March 20th,

2010, a day recognized throughout the country as National Agriculture Day, to instead be Michigan Meatout Day, farmers across the state were appalled. In observance of the state-endorsed vegetarian day, Granholm encouraged “residents of this state to choose not to eat meat.” As corn and livestock farmers have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship, the MCGA supported our friends and allies in those industries in their protest of the event. The MCGA issued a news release voicing our objection to the event and many of our members called the Governor’s office to share their opposition.

After much backlash from pro-agriculture groups,

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Governor Granholm issued another proclamation in celebration of Michigan Agriculture Day, also on March 20, 2010. In complete contradiction of her earlier Meatout proclamation, this decree called for residents “to help celebrate this day with meals made with a variety of local Michigan ingredients, including, but not limited to meat, vegetables, and dairy products.” Though the MCGA was pleased to see Michigan’s agricultural industry recognized by the new proclamation, we were disappointed the Governor did not rescind her earlier decree.

As a result of the Governor’s proclamation of Michigan Meatout Day, several agricultural organizations came together to hold the Michigan Ag Day BBQ Cookout, including the MCGA. This cookout, in which attendees were treated to grilled hot dogs and hamburgers on the State Capitol Lawn, was held on National Ag Day, in honor of Michigan’s number two industry – agriculture.

Your Voice Matters!The MCGA would like to thank its members for

responding to the Calls to Action we sent out in regards to many of these important policy issues in 2010. As a result, we were successful in helping safeguard Michigan’s agricultural industry. We ask that you continue to maintain continuous communication with your elected officials. As we enter a new legislative session with 61 percent of our legislators new to their position in 2011, it is extremely important that we strive to educate our state’s leaders in order to ensure agriculture remains a vital industry in this state.

ongoing Battles in 2011The corn industry will be facing several tough issues in the

year ahead including increased water regulations and pesticide permitting, growing concern regarding agriculture’s effect on the environment and a major overhaul of the current ethanol tax credit system. While some of these issues will be new, some are ongoing battles that we faced in 2010. As we prepare to deal with these issues in the New Year, it is important to remember where these fights began and how we plan to deal with them in 2011.

chesapeake Bay water regulationsIn late 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

released strict new regulations for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment runoff in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. States have also announced specific requirements for the agricultural industry and other sectors to help meet these water quality goals. The Chesapeake Bay strategy represents the most comprehensive and far reaching watershed cleanup plan in U.S. history. In response, Congress will consider several pieces of legislation in 2011 that could potentially expand or restrain the EPA’s Clean Water Act authority, which could have significant implications for future EPA actions in other watersheds.

pesticide permittingIn response to a 6th Circuit Court decision in 2008, the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun crafting a new Clean Water Act permitting program for pesticides that are sprayed near or into water. The NPDES permits will take effect in April 2011. The agricultural industry remains concerned about duplicative regulations and legal liabilities under the Clean Water Act and have supported legislation to overturn the 6th Circuit Court decision. The industry backed bill will be reintroduced in 2011 and will be one of our highest priorities in the coming year.

water resource Development actThe MCGA along with the NCGA has long advocated

for modernizing the inland waterway system on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. While these infrastructure upgrades were authorized by Congress in the Water Resources Development Act in 2007, no funds have been appropriated to pay for the projects. Recent budget constraints within the federal government will make it even more difficult to acquire the needed funding; however, legislation to improve the Inland Waterway Trust Fund and Army Corps of Engineers’ project delivery systems will continue to be a top priority in 2011.

trade with cubaThe Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement

Act, H.R. 4645, passed the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee at the end of June 2010. The legislation was then sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee where a mark-up scheduled for the end of September was postponed. No further action has been announced at this time. If passed, the legislation will remove obstacles to allow for legal sales of United States agricultural commodities to Cuba and to end travel restrictions on all Americans to Cuba.

atrazineIn November of 2009, the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) presented its plan for the re-evaluation of the herbicide atrazine. In accordance with this plan, the EPA held three Science Advisory Panel (SAP) meetings to address atrazine issues in 2010. The first SAP was held in February

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to discuss its proposed plan for incorporating epidemiology studies into the atrazine risk assessment. The next panel meeting was held in April to review animal studies and the current water monitoring program. In September, the final SAP was held to evaluate the possible cancer risks associated with atrazine. The new results from the Agricultural Health Study evaluating the potential association between atrazine and cancer were not available in time for the September meeting so an additional SAP will be held in 2011 to review the results along with other studies. At the conclusion of the evaluation of atrazine’s human health effects, the EPA will ask the SAP to review atrazine’s potential effects on amphibians and aquatic ecosystems. The EPA will make regulatory decisions in 2011 regarding atrazine regardless of whether new, relevant information has been adequately reviewed. The MCGA signed on to a letter that was sent to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson expressing concern about the agency’s re-review of atrazine. For more information about the status of the re-review of atrazine, visit www.agsense.org.

looking aheadPlease watch your mailboxes and inboxes for updates on

these and other important issues in 2011. Your voice on these matters will help our legislators and elected officials to make the best choices for Michigan’s corn growers.

eventsEvery year, the MCGA hosts numerous events that provide

opportunities for growers, legislators and the general public to get together and discuss corn-related issues. Once again, 2010 proved to be an extremely successful year for MCGA events. In addition to our traditional events, the MCGA Annual Meeting in February, the Central Michigan and Thumb Area golf outings in August and Ethanol Night at the Races in September, the MCGA also hosted a few additional events this year including the first ever Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Michigan Agriculture and five county corn grower chapter meetings.

Mcga annual MeetingNearly 120 corn growers, industry leaders, legislators and

aides attended the 2010 MCGA Annual Meeting. Attendees at the meeting had the opportunity to hear from three exceptional national speakers. First, they heard from Bart Schott, a corn farmer from Kulm, N. Dakota, who also served as the first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Bart provided attendees with an update on corn issues and priorities on the national level. Then, attendees heard from Jerry Gulke, principal owner of The Gulke Group and author of the Marketing Strategies column in Top Producer. Jerry discussed the market outlook for corn for 2010 and how to effectively manage risk. Attendees also heard from Kip Cullers, a corn grower from Missouri and several time winner of the NCGA Corn Yield Contest. Kip discussed several production techniques he utilizes to achieve 300 bushel per acre corn. The 2010 Annual Meeting program also included a legislative update, a presentation on feral swine and sandhill cranes in Michigan and information on the benefits available to MCGA members.

Growers at the annual meeting were given the opportunity again in 2010 to enjoy roundtable discussions with legislators during lunch to discuss important issues affecting their farming operations. “By inviting legislators and aides to participate in our annual meeting, we are enacting our grassroots strength and educating elected officials about our industry,” said Tom Durand, presiding MCGA president and a corn grower from Croswell. “The legislators were eager to talk about the corn industry and hear the thoughts of the state’s corn growers.”

The Power of the Penny

Corn Marketing Program of Michigan13750 S. Sedona Pkwy., Suite 5, Lansing, MI 48906www.micorn.org • 1.888.323.6601

Putting Your Check-off Pennies to Work by:Working to enhance livestock, the number one consumer of corn - •utilizing 42.5 percent of the 2009 corn supply.

Helping develop a 10.6 billion gallon ethanol industry that •eliminated the need to import 364 million barrels of oil and saved American consumers $21.3 billion in 2009.

Creating new corn-based products to replace petroleum and •foreign oil in more than 600 new environmentally-friendly items such as plastics, clothing, carpeting, flooring and more.

Investing more than one-third of the 2009 check-off funds in •research projects to develop new markets, create corn-based products, advance traditional markets, and enhance productivity and conservation through new production techniques.

•Increasingawarenessofcornandcorn-based products, as well as busting the myths surrounding corn and ethanol by educating the public through media outreach, educational campaigns, consumer events and publications.

Kip Cullers, a corn grower from Missouri and several time winner of the NCGA Corn Yield Contest, was one of the keynote speakers at the 2010 MCGA Annual Meeting.

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gubernatorial ForumWith 2011 bringing the promise of a new Michigan

governor, the MCGA decided to take the lead in discovering which gubernatorial candidate would be the best chief executive officer for Michigan’s thriving agricultural industry. To do this, the MCGA orchestrated a diverse group of nineteen leading agricultural organizations who joined together to host the first-ever Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Michigan Agriculture on Friday, March 19. The event drew more than 200 farmers, agri-business representatives, ag leaders and legislators from across the state.

Attendees at the forum heard three gubernatorial candidates, Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Senator Tom George and new Governor Rick Snyder, present their strategy for Michigan agriculture. Following candidate comments, event moderators took questions from the audience on important issues in the ag-economy. Among those questions were inquiries into the candidate’s thoughts on; biofuels – Michigan’s ethanol and biodiesel industries in particular; Michigan Department of Agriculture budget cuts; inspection fees; tax reform; Michigan’s State Fair program; equine slaughter; horse racing; state government efficiencies; streamlining government; and advocating for agriculture.

This one-of-a-kind forum was agriculture’s first look at Governor Snyder and helped to cement agriculture’s importance in the mind of the Governor and other gubernatorial candidates, even those who did not attend. A true success story for Michigan agriculture, the MCGA would like to recognize the following associations who joined them in hosting the unprecedented event: Cherry Marketing Institute; Julian Vail, LLC; Michigan Agri-Business Association; Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, Inc.; Michigan Apple Association; Michigan Cattlemen’s Association; Michigan Equine Partnership; Michigan Farm Bureau; Michigan Floriculture Growers Council; Michigan Great Lakes International Draft Horse Show; Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association; Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association; Michigan Pork Producers Association; Michigan Soybean Association; Michigan Standardbred Breeders Association; Michigan Sugar Company; Michigan Vegetable Council; and the Potato Growers of Michigan.

county corn grower chapter MeetingsBefore farmers headed to the fields for spring planting, the

MCGA worked with five of the state’s six county corn grower associations to host 2010 Annual Meetings for each of the county organizations. Corn growers from Clinton, Hillsdale, Huron, Monroe and Saginaw county chapters invited members and non-members from their own and neighboring counties to join them at their yearly event. Attendee’s of the meetings had the opportunity to learn more about the county association, the MCGA, important state and national legislation and the National Corn Growers Association’s Green Energy and Growth Fund.

golf outingsThe MCGA hosted two annual golf outings again this

year where nearly 170 corn growers and industry supporters enjoyed a day of fun and fellowship when they “teed off” at the Central Michigan Golf Outing on August 4, at Centennial Acres in Sunfield; and the Thumb Area Golf Outing on August 11 at Woodland Hills Golf Club in Sandusky.

The outings both began with a shotgun start and were run as a scramble. Participants in the outings received 18 holes of golf with a cart, donuts and coffee, lunch on the course, dinner with a short awards ceremony, a package of biodegradable, corn-based golf tees and a chance to win numerous door prizes, all while spending the day having fun and networking with other growers and industry members.

“The summer golf outings get growers out of the fields and

Governor Rick Snyder speaks at the Gubernatorial Forum on Michigan Agriculture. The forum was one of agriculture’s first chances to hear from the candidates.

An added bonus for attendees at the 2010 MCGA golf outings was the chance to win the 3-year lease of a flex-fuel truck, sponsored by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.

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on to the greens where they can discuss the year’s crop,” said Ed Breitmeyer, MCGA president and corn grower from Buckley. “It is a great time for everyone to get together outside the boardrooms and a way to get growers and industry together.”

ethanol night at the racesA record crowd of more than 1,030 corn growers gathered

at the 2010 MCGA Ethanol Night at the Races on Sept. 10, at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run. Ethanol Night at the Races, a yearly highlight for MCGA members, is a way for the MCGA to promote the use of ethanol, while combining great food, fellowship and a full night of racing.

“With ethanol blends becoming more and more available in our state and across the country, Ethanol Night at the Races has become the perfect outlet for highlighting the advantages of using ethanol-blended fuels, while also thanking our members for their support during the past year,” explained Ed Breitmeyer, MCGA president and a corn farmer from Buckley. “This event is an exciting way to showcase how agriculture can help consumers lessen our dependence on foreign oil and improve our environment through increased ethanol usage.”

Attendees received a delicious steak dinner before the green flag dropped on the “Eve of Destruction.” The full night of auto racing was highlighted by the Figure-8 Trailer Race, School Bus Figure-8, Chain-Gang Race, Dixie Crash Cars, Flagpole Race and Spectator Drags. MCGA members also had the opportunity to examine many other ethanol-powered projects. On display for the night’s festivities were Kettering University’s ethanol-powered snowmobile and formula car, ethanol-powered race cars from Clark Motorsports and Muskegon Community College, an ethanol-powered tractor and lawnmower from the Eastern Michigan Tractor Pulling Association and corn-based projects from Saginaw Valley State University. Representatives from each organization were also on-site for the event to talk with attendees about their projects and the benefits of ethanol.

As they are every year, two MCGA members were especially instrumental to the 2010 Ethanol Night at the Races: Mark Bauer, a Pioneer seed dealer from Reese; and Don Morse, who in addition to being an MCGA board member and a

corn grower from Birch Run, is also a Pioneer seed dealer. Mark and Don work diligently every year to help host the dinner and handle the set up and tear down of the event. The MCGA sincerely appreciates the assistance of Mark, Don and the other Saginaw County Corn Growers Association members and would like to extend their gratitude once again.

growers Doing goodIn addition to our efforts to educate legislators and provide

fellowship and networking opportunities to our grower members, the MCGA also works to recognize growers who are making a positive difference in Michigan’s corn industry or who are advancing their educational or leadership skills. Acknowledged below are some of the MCGA members who are recognized in 2010 for their extraordinary efforts and accomplishments.

scholarshipsThroughout the year, the MCGA awards several

scholarships, both for students at a post-secondary educational institution and for leadership conferences. In 2010, the MCGA was proud to sponsor a grand total of $7,500 in college scholarships for the following students:

Christopher Bauer, Reese•Andrew Braun, Ovid•Katie Jo Gentner, Minden City•Kaitlyn Hard, Quincy•Jason Koning, Yale•Mitchell Parks, Allenton•Michelle Sahr, Saginaw•Brenda Sisung, St. Johns•

Additionally, the MCGA also sponsors grower leaders who are attending an event where they can sharpen their leadership and professional development skills. Two of these events are the Great Lakes Leadership Academy and the Farm Women’s Symposium. In 2010, the MCGA provided one $2,500 scholarship for the Great Lakes Leadership Academy to Kevin Kirk of St. Johns, and seven $150 scholarships to the following attendees of the Farm Women’s Symposium:

Marilyn Buchholz, Harbor Beach•Arlene DeForest, Ann Arbor•Peggy Deuling, Newaygo•Sharlene Hagen, Ubly•Karen Heleski, Ubly•Shelly Messing, Bad Axe•Marlene Schulte, Harbor Beach•

The MCGA also recognizes growers who are taking an extra step in their commitment to environmental stewardship by achieving Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verification status. This proactive program helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. In acknowledgement of grower’s positive efforts through the MAEAP program, the MCGA provides a $200 scholarship for the program, as well as Ethanol Night at the Races once again saw a record number of attendees.

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a $75 sign rebate for MCGA members. Those members who applied for the scholarships and achieved MAEAP verification status in 2010 include:

Brian Bellville, Prescott•Joe Beirmacher, Grawn•Lori Bloink, Fife Lake•Carol Brimhall, Stockbridge•Leonard Brown, Sandusky•Patrick Carr, Lakeview•Thomas Chadwick, Laingsburg•Chris Grekowicz, Harbor Beach•Robert Guse, Cassopolis•Lonnie Jones, Charlotte•James Navidowski, Flushing•Douglas Pickles, Sand Creek•James Reid, Jeddo•James Schulz, Unionville•David Smalley, Ubly•Andy Snider, Hart•Brian Stratton, Edmore•Stutzman Farms, Blissfield•Veddler Farms, Marion•Louis Wehrman, Reese•David Williams, Elsie•

Friend of corn awardEach year at the Annual Meeting, the MCGA recognizes at

least one individual or company who has been an avid supporter of the corn industry and presents them with the Friend of Corn award. In 2010, two individuals were acknowledged for their assistance to the MCGA: Frank Lipinski and Bob Craig. Both Frank and Bob received the 5th annual Friend of Corn award and the MCGA sincerely thanks them again for their many contributions to Michigan’s corn industry.

Frank Lipinski is a corn grower from Buckley, Mich., who sat on the MCGA board of directors for 7 years. Frank also served on the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan board of directors for 7 years. Frank hosts numerous meetings

and events and is an excellent spokesperson for agriculture. He represented Michigan as part of the Corn Vision 2012, strategic planning process on the national level.

Bob Craig served the Michigan Department of Agriculture from 1991 to 2010, first as a special appointee and later as the Director of the Agriculture Development Division from 1999 onward. Bob also served as an ex-officio member on both the MCGA and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan boards of directors for 4 years. Bob worked as a strong advocate of corn, specifically ethanol, helping to develop plants and E85 fueling infrastructure.

state corn Yield contest winnersWith an exponentially growing world population, the

need to increase corn yields has never been more important. As a staple crop utilized all across the globe, corn has many markets, including feed, food, fuel and fiber. To provide an extra incentive for increasing yields, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has developed an annual contest for its members to see who can produce the highest yielding corn crop. This competition continues to grow in popularity and each year, many MCGA members participate. While the results of the competition are compiled nationally, the NCGA also releases the results for each state. The MCGA congratulates those MCGA members placing in the top of their respective classes in 2010:

Non-Irrigated ClassFirst place – Mike Stamp of Decatur, with 255.5 •bushels an acre.Second place – Mary Eickholt of Chesaning, with •249.1 bushels an acre.Third place – Steve Powers of Pinconning, with •247.9 bushels an acre.

No-Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated ClassFirst place – Deborah Ferguson of Allenton, with •251.8 bushels an acre.Second place – Jay Ferguson of Brown City, with •240.7 bushels an acre.Third place – Jim Smallegan of Hudsonville, with •237.2 bushels an acre.

Congratulations to David Williams of Elsie who was one of the MAEAP verified farms recognized at the 2010 MCGA Annual Meeting.

Tom Durand, former MCGA President, presents Bob Craig with the Friend of Corn award.

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No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated ClassFirst place – Ronnie Landis of Schoolcraft, with •256.6 bushels an acre.Second place – David E. Eickholt of Chesaning, with •249.1 bushels an acre.Third place – Dale Seyfred of Galien, with 245.32 •bushels an acre.

Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated ClassFirst place – Jordan Pincik of Corunna, with 233.9 •bushels an acre.Second place – Pincik Farms of Corunna, with 226.7 •bushels an acre.Third place – Charles J. Eickholt of Chesaning, with •226.6 bushels an acre.

Ridge-Till Irrigated ClassFirst place – Dennis Hemker of St. Charles, with •228.6 bushels an acre.Second place – David and Charles Eickholt of •Chesaning, with 215.3 bushels an acre.

Irrigated ClassFirst place – Don Stall of Charlotte, with 265.8 •bushels an acre.Second place – Jon Drozd of Allegan, with 265.7 •bushels an acre.Third place – Mike Stamp of Decatur, with 265.3 •bushels an acre.

retired Board MembersIn 2010, the MCGA board of directors retired three of

its board members after nine years of service; Earl Collier of Allegan, Harry Roggenbuck of Harbor Beach and Jake Wamhoff of East Lansing. Each of these individuals served three consecutive terms on the MCGA board of directors, from 2001 to 2010. Serving as an MCGA board member requires a serious amount of time and dedication and the MCGA would like to express their sincere gratitude once again to these individuals for their years of service and contribution.

top recruitersTo thank our members who help grow our grassroots power

by recruiting new members to the MCGA, each year the

MCGA recognizes its top three membership recruiters. Utilizing the points system developed by the National Corn Growers Association, the MCGA would like to thank the following top recruiters for their dedication to the MCGA and assistance in enlisting new members to the organization in 2010:

First place• - Tom Ziel, PigeonSecond place• - Tom VanSickle, DeckervilleThird place• - Pat Feldpausch, Fowler

Membership awardsIn part due to the work of our dedicated recruiters, the

MCGA set a new membership record in 2010 when it reached 973 members in September. This growing membership of Michigan corn growers was recognized by the National Corn Growers Association, who presented the MCGA with the Growth Target Award. The Growth Target Award is presented to states that have more than a 5 percent increase in membership from the previous year; the MCGA surpassed this goal and achieved a 7.77 percent increase in membership. The MCGA was also awarded the Super Growth Target Award for having a 12.1 percent increase in membership over the previous three year average.

The MCGA board of directors and staff is extremely honored to have achieved such monumental membership milestones in 2010 and we would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to our grower members. By working together through the MCGA and NCGA, our growers can leverage the industry’s collective strength. Together, growers voices are magnified in Lansing and Washington D.C. to ensure agricultural interests are well represented and our viewpoints are known. On behalf of the MCGA, we would like to thank you for your membership and your dedication to corn growing in our state.

Member BenefitsMCGA members are making a difference on state and

national political issues. Please encourage non-members to join and have their voices heard at events throughout the year. “Since the MCGA is a grassroots organization, its greatest strength is in its numbers,” adds Ed Breitmeyer, MCGA president and a corn grower from Buckley. “Each corn grower in Michigan plays an important role in educating their legislators about our industry. Your voices and membership are of vital importance to the state association and to the corn industry.” In addition to legislative involvement, MCGA members are entitled to:

Free attendance to the MCGA Annual Meeting.•Free Admittance to Ethanol Night at the Races. •Membership in the National Corn Growers •Association (NCGA).Reduced rates to the MCGA Golf Outings. In 2011, •the Thumb Area Golf Outing will be August 10 at the Bird Creek Golf Course in Port Austin and the Central Michigan Golf Outing will be August 17 at

Board members retiring from the MCGA in 2010 included Earl Collier of Allegan, Harry Roggenbuck of Harbor Beach and Jake Wamhoff of East Lansing.

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Centennial Acres Golf Course in Sunfield.Reduced rates to Commodity Classic.•A quarterly MCGA newsletter.•A $75 sign rebate and a $200 scholarship for the •Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). The opportunity to apply, or for their children to •apply for, a college scholarship. All members of the MCGA, including students, growers and associates, as well as children of members between the ages of 17-25 are qualified. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at a post-secondary educational institution in order to be eligible. Eligibility to apply for a Farm Women’s Symposium •scholarship. Members, or spouses of members, are eligible to apply for one of seven $150 scholarships to

attend the Farm Women’s Symposium. The opportunity to apply for a Great Lakes •Leadership Academy Scholarship. MCGA members who are accepted into either the Emerging Leaders Program or the Leadership Advancement Program of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy are eligible to apply for a scholarship to cover half the tuition of the program. In order to be eligible for the Great Lakes Leadership Academy scholarships, growers must either have been a member for three consecutive years or join as a three-year member. Members also receive discounts on:•

Dell Computer Products •Ford vehicles •Enterprise Rent-A-Car •Cabela’s Gift Cards •

ADM•TheAndersonsAlbionEthanol,LLC•TheAndersons,Inc.•Arnouts&MethnerInsurance•AgencyMarkBauer,aPioneerseeddealer•fromReeseBayPortStateBank•CarbonGreenBioEnergy,LLC•ConklinAgroVantageSystems–•TomWarschefskyCooperativeElevatorCompanyof•PigeonCornMarketingProgramof•MichiganCropProductionServices•DairylandSeedCompany•EasternMichiganBank•ExchangeStateBank•

FifthThirdBank•GreatLakesHybrids•GreenstoneFarmCreditServices•GrowthEnergy•MichiganAgri-Systems•MichiganFarmRadioNetwork•MichiganMilkProducers•AssociationDonMorse,aPioneerseeddealer•fromBirchRunMycogenSeeds&DowAgroSciences•NorthstarBank•PioneerHi-BredInternational,Inc.•POETBiorefining•TNTEquipment•TriCountyEquipment•WeissEquipment•ZeelandFarmServices•

a special thanks to our 2010 sponsors

MichiganCornGrowersAssociation13750S.SedonaParkway,Suite5Lansing,MI48906

PRSTSTDUSPOSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT#108LANSINGMI

2010 Mcga BoardDistrict1- Ed Breitmeyer, Buckley, PresidentDistrict2- Matt Cary, AlmaDistrict3- Steve Errer, Filion Richard Maurer, Jr., Harbor BeachDistrict4- Pat Feldpausch, Fowler Tony Igl, MasonDistrict5- Alvin Ferguson, AllentonDistrict6- Kenneth Blaauw, Shelbyville Loren Koeman, Hamilton, SecretaryDistrict7- Jim Gillispie, Concord Mark Kies, Allen District8- Dan Cable, Monroe Scott Lonier, Lansing, Treasurer (serving out-of-district)At-Large- Tom Durand, Croswell, Chair Scott Miller, Elsie Jeff Sandborn, Portland, Vice President

CountyPresidentsRussell Braun, Ovid, ClintonMark Kies, Allen, Hillsdale Brian Kreps, LaSalle, MonroeDon Morse, Birch Run, Saginaw Dennis Quandt, Peck, Sanilac Tom Ziel, Pigeon, Huron

IndustryRepresentativesJohn DiMartini, The Andersons, Inc.Dr. Kelvin Grant, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Ex-OfficiosDr. James Kells, Michigan State UniversityClark Gerstacker, NCGA Corn Board member and CMPM PresidentJody Pollok-Newsom, Executive Director