A LOOK INSIDE:
MEMBERSHIP
Proud Partnerships with ICGA Associate Members
POLICY
Biofuels Vision 2024
FARMER FEATURE
A Lifetime of Achievement
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Fueling Knowledge on Unleaded 88
EDUCATION
Consumer Communications: Iowa Corn Water Bottle Program
RESEARCH
New Uses Consortium
January 2024
JOLENE RIESSEN President Ida Grove
MARK MUELLER
District 3 Waverly
STEVE KUIPER
District 8 Knoxville
CRAIG FLOSS
Chief Executive Officer
BRIAN JONES
Chief Operating Officer
BRIAN BELL
Director of Leadership and Organizational Development
CHRIS BENGTSON
Manager of Economic Analysis and Investments
SHANNON TEXTOR
STU SWANSON First Vice President Galt
LAURA FOELL
District 4 Schaller
DAN KEITZER
District 9 Mediapolis
DENNIS FRIEST Chair Radcliffe
WILL CANNON
District 5 Prairie City
LANCE LILLIBRIDGE Officer At-Large Vinton
MIKE VER STEEG District 1 Inwood
LOGAN LYON
District 6 Blue Grass
RICK JUCHEMS Iowa Soybean Association
AARIKA SCHWARCK District 2 Riceville
ADAM BIERBAUM
District 7 Griswold
ANDY HILL Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Vice President of Communications
AMANDA FORTMAN Publications Manager
RACHEL ZUMBACH
Public Relations Manager
RYAN SAUER
Vice President of Market Development
BECCA AHRENDSEN Market Development Manager
MINDY LARSEN POLDBERG
Vice President of Government Relations
KEVIN STUDER Director of Federal Policy
EMILY CALLISON Government Relations Manager
CARRIE DODDS
Vice President of Grower Development
SHELTON HOEFLING
District 1 Field Manager
SARAH TWEETEN
District 2 Field Manager
NOLAN LYNESS
District 3 Field Manager
JANELLE KRACHT
District 4 Field Manager
JOHN STOAKES
District 5 Field Manager
MEGAN CADY District 6 Field Manager
KRISTEN AKERS
District 7 Field Manager
ALYSSA PRESTON
District 8 Field Manager
VICTORIA ARMSTRONG
District 9 Field Manager
ROD WILLIAMSON
Vice President of Research and Sustainability
DAVID ERTL
Director of Production Technology
ALEX BUCK
Director of Industrial Innovation
GREG WANDREY
Director of Sustainability
JULIE KIRBY
Vice President of Finance and Administration
MIKE NAIG Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
SARAH HARRIS Financial Manager
VALERIE SANCHEZ Accounting Analyst
LYNNETTE ROHRS Administrative Services Manager
MICHELE POE Administrative Assistant
DONNA LEMON Administrative Assistant
LARRY BUSS Chair Logan CHAD HARMS District 1 Milford JOE ROBERTS District 2 Belmond STAN NELSON President Middletown RYAN STEFFENSEN District 4 Guthrie Center DEREK KEMPER District 5 Toledo PAUL GIESELMAN District 9 Morning Sun RYAN FRANKLIN Homeland Energy Solutions BRENDA KOCHANNY Cargill MIKAYLA COLEHOUR District 6 Anamosa JEFF THOMSEN District 7 Cumberland JEROD FLAHERTY District 8 Osceola DAN ROBISON ISU College of Agriculture & Life Science RALPH LENTS First Vice President Menlo JASON ORR District 3 Rowley
Reflecting on this past year, defense is the first word that comes to mind. Team corn was under attack on several fronts in 2023. At the state level, we saw bills introduced threatening our corn checkoff. We also saw a number of anti-carbon pipeline bills going against our current policy as well as threats to the Biofuels Access Law, looking to lower the required ethanol compatibility for new infrastructure. Thanks to the defensive efforts of our membership, staff and key legislators we as the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and our partners were able to stop these bills from causing detrimental harm to the Iowa corn farmer.
At the federal level, our defensive efforts along with other corn states and the National Corn Growers Association included working against the GMO ban Mexico placed on corn from the U.S. as well as the continued challenges we as farmers face with fertilizer prices.
Through all of this, we held the line and came out stronger as an organization. Last year, defense won the game for ICGA and going into 2024 we will go on the offense and continue to move our corn priorities forward both at the state and federal level based on the priorities established by our grassroots ICGA members.
This year, my priority as president is to continue to protect our efforts on all fronts. We will continue to be proactive in sharing the good work of the ICGA and ICPB to ensure the attackers that we are as strong as ever. We will also continue our work on nationwide access to E15 through the movement of the Next Generations Fuels Act and getting a Farm Bill across the finish line.
Your voice matters and we will need all of our members advocating together and stepping up to talk to their state and federal legislators this coming year. Together, our voice is stronger than just one farmer trying to go it alone. Our 7,000+ membership helps us to gain real wins on key issues impacting our farms. We hope that you will share the work of the Iowa Corn Growers Association with fellow farmers and invite and encourage them to become a member of ICGA, to join our team so we can continue to fight on behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers. Thank you for being a part of team corn and for stepping up, sharing your voice and engaging on important policy priorities.
Jolene Riessen President, ICGA
• Checkoff – Protect the Iowa Corn Checkoff
• Conservation/Water Quality – Maintain legislative funding stream for Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including Maximum Return to Nitrogen
• Ethanol – Obtain and increase funding for infrastructure cost-share program (RFIP)
• Ethanol – Promote ethanol as a carbon reduction solution
• Livestock – Support existing regulatory framework for the livestock industry
• Carbon – Support carbon intensity reduction initiatives and credit programs
• Ethanol – Support nationwide E15 and the Next Generation Fuels Act. Support retaining the RFS
• Farm Bill – Protect crop insurance and protect/expand funding for Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD)
• Taxes – Protect critical tax credits
• Trade – Expand new and protect existing bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements
TheIowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is proud to be one of the most effective, longest-standing agricultural associations in the country that serves as the collective voice for Iowa corn farmers, lobbying on agricultural issues at the state and federal levels. But we are only as strong as our membership.
Today, we represent 7,000 ICGA members. All farmers, students and associate members are invited to join to be part of the collective voice and it’s simple to join at iowacorn.org/join.
ICGA associate members represent nearly 1,000 ICGA members. These are individuals or businesses who do not produce corn but want to support the corn industry and corn farmers across the state. Many associate members work hand-in-hand with their local District Field Managers to support the industry and farmers through local events, harvest meals or other opportunities within their areas.
We appreciate all of our associate members. Check some highlights below on associate members from each district who go above and beyond to engage with Iowa Corn and local farmers.
Century Farms Distillery in Spencer, Iowa has a corn-to-whiskey program allowing farmers to deliver corn from their farm to be distilled into whiskey and have first right to buy from the batch bottles with information about their farm.
District 1 held a member appreciation event this summer at Century Farms Distillery, with over fifty people attending. The owners, Ryan and Amanda Bare, gave ICGA members a tour of the distillery and allowed them to taste test some of their best whiskey. District 1 also hosted its first northwest Iowa Young Farmer event there this past December.
“Iowa Corn membership ties our brand to the most important commodity in the county. We make a tangible consumer product that introduces America’s farm families to the nation and the world with direct ties to Iowa corn,” shared Amanda Bare. “As proud members, our mission is Iowa Corn’s mission.”
Century Farms Distillery became a member in February 2020 and has been a great partner ever since. Through this partnership District 1 has been able to gain new memberships and meet farmers and professionals in the agriculture industry through collaboration and fun events.
Clear Lake Bank & Trust (CLBT) first opened their doors in 1934 in Clear Lake, Iowa. Eighty-nine years later, CLBT has expanded to a full-service bank with four branches, 76 employees and a strong history of serving the community.
In District 3, POET Shell Rock and POET Fairbank have participated and sponsored several Iowa Corn events and projects including the ICGA Black Hawk County Plot Night, ICGA Bremer County Golf Outing and several other events throughout the year.
This partnership has been a success for both Iowa Corn and POET. POET has been able to promote and educate producers and consumers on the benefits of ethanol, as well as the other products from ethanol processing. Iowa Corn has also had the opportunity to host several trade teams at POET, including the most recent group from Latin America to look at DDGS for pet food and aquaculture diets.
CLBT has been a proud associate member of ICGA since 2007. Together CLBT and Iowa Corn have collaborated on a couple of different events including an Ag Outlook Event. At this event, Jake Moline from Stone X gave an update on ag markets and the Iowa Corn Market Development team shared an update on various programs. CLBT and Iowa Corn have also partnered over the last few years to provide local farmers with harvest meals during their busiest time of year. This partnership has proven beneficial to both organizations as it has allowed CLBT lenders to meet Iowa Corn members and vice versa.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Iowa Corn for our company ag events,” shared Marc Younge, Senior Vice President of Ag & Business Banking. “It is a great way to meet other farmers in our territory and learn more about how the checkoff is helping our customers.”
POET has done an excellent job at providing tours and opportunities to build a relationship with members, producers and consumers at the local, state, national and international levels. POET has been a longstanding partner, and these locations have been association members since 2021. We look forward to working with POET and continuing to grow their ICGA associate membership for years to come.
Cogdill Farm Supply is a strong, progressive, independent family business offering a variety of agricultural services in Dunlap, Dow City, Panama, Soldier, Logan and Jacksonville.
Cogdill Farm Supply owner Sam Cogdill has been a member of ICGA for nearly 20 years. “Being an associate member of ICGA gives us a seat at the table to join the farmers we serve in advocating for the momentous issues that affect us all,” shared Sam.
Cogdill Farm Supply has always supported ICGA. In recent years, Iowa Corn and Cogdill Farm Supply have co-hosted preharvest agricultural meetings and customer appreciation events, including a golf outing and steak dinner. Sam and Rob Cogdill, grain merchandiser, have both served as county delegates at the ICGA Annual
Grassroots Summit and have represented Iowa Corn at Commodity Classic.
Through our partnership, District 4 has been able to share the importance of being an ICGA member and how the Iowa Corn Checkoff supports first purchasers and farmers. The ability to get in front of Cogdill Farm Supply customers has also allowed Iowa Corn an opportunity to build relationships with more growers in western Iowa and we’ve seen an increase in membership.
New Cooperative covers a large area of western Iowa where they offer grain, agronomy, feed and energy services to all their members.
New Cooperative has been very active in collaboration with Iowa Corn and in supporting our farmers. They have been very supportive of the Iowa Corn Growers Collegiate Club at Iowa State and have done several other promotional events throughout the state. Recently, they hosted an Iowa Corn group during an industry tour that included their impressive Port of Blenco on the Missouri River. The real success around this partnership has been the support of our shared grower.
New Cooperative became a member in 2022. They were generous enough to make all of their locations ICGA associate members to show their support for all of their members who are corn growers throughout the state.
The Cargill Corn Milling Plant in Cedar Rapids, located along the Cedar River, takes both yellow dent corn and waxy corn from the surrounding area. The
facility has grown since it first opened in 1967 and now includes a railyard to open up more options to bring in corn.
Cargill has been a great partner to Iowa Corn by opening their facility in Cedar Rapids to several tours this past summer and fall. Cargill also allowed access to their facility for ICGA members from Districts 5 and 6, the ISU Corn Club and NASA this past year to learn and see corn milling first-hand.
Through the tours, each participant was able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the corn milling process. Cargill’s expertise has provided a different perspective on corn products and the use of waxy corn along with standard yellow dent. Brenda Kochanny, the grain merchandising manager for the Cedar Rapids location, also serves as the liaison to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board for Cargill.
District 6 would like to give Cargill a big thank you for opening their facility for tours and for being an ICGA member and supporting the corn industry.
Green Plains Renewable Energy has been a proud associate member of ICGA since it began its operation back in 2007. ICGA has partnered with Green Plains on harvest meals for many years and hosted legislative visits with their team of leaders. They have always been willing to help with hosting and educating our youth through local FFA programs as well.
“Green Plains are industry leaders when it comes to extracting more uses out of the corn they grind. They own patents on a high-protein DDG process as well as a firstof-its-kind clean sugar process where they will produce both dextrose and glucose with up to a 40% lower carbon intensity score,” shared Darin Proffit, District 7 Committee Chair.
Green Plains Renewable Energy has been a go-to agribusiness in Southwest Iowa when District 7 needs support on a project for grassroots members and checkoff contributors. District 7 would like to thank their team for always being willing to partner and for their commitment to Iowa Corn and corn farmers!
The Graceland Ag Business Club has been a great partner, supporter and member of ICGA. Last year the Ag Business Club voted to have all their club members become members of ICGA, a win-win for Iowa Corn and the Club.
The Ag Business Club has several events on campus that Iowa Corn partners with them in various aspects. Including a corn hole tournament for Graceland students, several FFA Days on campus that the College of Business and the Ag Business Club host as well as their College of Business Scholarship Auction.
These Graceland students are eager to promote agriculture and be involved within the industry and Iowa Corn.
Merschman Seeds is an independent family-owned seed sales business started and based out of West Point, Iowa since 1954. They supply the Midwest with corn, soybeans and wheat.
For many years, the District 9 Committee has been a large part of the Crop Advantage Series in conjunction with ISU extension and Merschman Seeds. This event takes place in January and brings in about 200 farmers each year. According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Crop Advantage meetings provide a solid foundation of current, research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions in the farming operation.” Farmers from Southeast Iowa gather in Burlington every year to discuss farming practices and earn their certification in private pesticide application and crop advisor credits.
Merschman Seeds has been an active ICGA associate member since the early 2000s and we look forward to a continued partnership with them.
Thepolitical clout of our farmer members and leaders has made the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) one of the most effective, influential agricultural associations in the country, advocating for farmers on priority issues like ethanol, crop insurance, transportation, trade, livestock, tax and conservation.
That is why, along with our biofuels industry partners, ICGA formed the Caucus Project, known as Biofuels Vision 2024, to highlight the importance of ethanol and biodiesel to Iowa’s farm economy. Iowa Corn wants to inform presidential candidates of the importance of the biofuels industry and how the industry helped provide a local market for corn growers.
A vast majority of candidates leave Iowa with an understanding of the role that ethanol and biodiesel play within our energy security as well as lowering gas prices. While the main goal is to inform the future President, other candidates also go on to serve in cabinet positions, other appointed positions, governorships, the U.S. Senate and more, so having them all understand the impact and importance of biofuels is vital.
Learn more about Biofuels Vision 2024 from Logan Shine, the consultant hired to head up the effort.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT THE BIOFUELS VISION 2024 PROJECT IS AND WHY IT WAS ESTABLISHED?
Biofuels Vision 2024 is a coalition made up of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association along with supportive citizens committed to educating presidential candidates on the importance of renewable fuels to America’s economy and future energy policy. As many of your readers know, Iowa is the nation’s leader in biofuel production with 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol produced from 1.6 billion bushels of corn, while 1.9 billion pounds of soybean oil from 162 million bushels of soybeans go into producing over 400 million gallons of biodiesel.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE BIOFUELS VISION 2024 PROJECT?
First and foremost, we work to educate the presidential candidates on eight key policy issues such as yearround E15, the current Farm Bill as well as the need for the GREET Model for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Ultimately, we want the candidates to see first-hand the technological sophistication, the efficient production, the skilled labor force and of course, the acre upon acre of biofuel feedstocks produced by Iowa farmers that can both fuel and feed the world!
WHAT DOES SUCCESS FOR THE BIOFUELS VISION 2024 PROJECT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AND THE FUNDING PARTNERS?
Success for us is making sure the candidates understand the perspective of an Iowa farmer and/or biofuel producer and how national policy affects their operations. I think as Iowans we often forget how many of these candidates are novices on these issues and it’s our organizational goal to make sure they have a better understanding of how Washington D.C. can either be an ally or enemy in growing our markets.
WHAT SORT OF CRITERIA DO YOU RATE EACH CANDIDATE ON? HOW DID YOU ESTABLISH THESE CRITERIA?
Being a coalition, the main entities had internal discussions on key issues facing agriculture and biofuels here in Iowa, but also across the nation. In the end, we don’t grade, or rate candidates and we definitely won’t be endorsing any candidate. Instead, we give candidates reasonable opportunities to be educated on our coalition’s eight key issues through biofuel plant tours and policy discussions. As we get closer to Caucus Day on January 15, we will take any recorded stances from candidates and educate biofuel supporters on how candidates’ positions align with our coalition’s policies.
LEARN MORE: biofuelsvision.com
AS OF NOW CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHICH CANDIDATES HAVE RESPONDED AND HAVE POSITIVE RATINGS? WHAT COULD THIS POTENTIALLY MEAN MOVING INTO THE IOWA CAUCUS IN JANUARY?
Candidates’ responses are recorded on our matrix, showing the eight key policy issues as well as candidates who are actively campaigning in Iowa. The matrix is kept up to date on our website, BiofuelsVision.com. Also on the website, you can find all videos the coalition has collected from all candidates as they provided answers to questions surrounding biofuels.
HOW DO YOU SHARE THE RATINGS WITH IOWA VOTERS?
Among social media and traditional media such as newspapers, we are constantly sharing video evidence
of candidates on various positions. Furthermore, we will be sending a final candidate matrix with confirmed candidate positions to thousands of caucus-goers whom we have identified as vital biofuel supporters in Iowa.
WHY IS THE BIOFUELS VISION IMPORTANT TO IOWA’S CORN FARMERS AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE IOWA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION?
As most Iowans know, almost 60% of our corn crop is first processed at a local ethanol facility. As farmers continue to do what they do best, producing more corn, we need to make sure national policies and candidate support increase corn grind and markets for ethanol production. Without actively advocating, we potentially put the 57,000 Iowa jobs and over $3.5 billion in household income at risk.
Updated December 13, 2023
Friend. Mentor. Leader. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when thinking about Pam Johnson. If you ever had the privilege to work with or meet Pam, you would be familiar with her passion for her family, farming and those around her. Last year, Pam was recognized at the Annual Grassroots Summit for being a friend and active leader of Iowa Corn for years with the 2023 Iowa Corn Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pam’s time at Iowa Corn started in the early 2000s and over the next twenty years, Pam’s involvement flourished as she quickly rose from the local level to the national and international stage promoting corn.
Pam and her husband Maurice live near Floyd, where they farm along with their two sons, daughters-inlaw and their young families.
When initially invited to run for the board, Pam declined thinking she was too busy and unsure if this was the right fit for her. After much persistence from Helen Inman, she ran and was elected to represent District 2 on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board which paved the way for her to become the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association.
Pam is a registered nurse by training and found the science behind agriculture her real passion. She was incredibly involved,
working with others to secure funding to map the corn genome which led to the development of the Genome to Phenome Initiative. Together with Julius Schaaf, a fellow Iowa Corn farmer serving as the Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, they created MAIZALL, the international alliance of corn growers from Argentina and Brazil to address trade barriers facing the use of biotech corn.
Her encouragement of those around her has played a significant role in her legacy at Iowa Corn. You may even be familiar with her famous saying “Just raise your hand, just say yes, step up and get involved.” She has impacted many by her example in this way of just saying, yes.
“We were honored to recognize Pam with the 2023 Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award this past year,” shared Craig Floss, CEO of Iowa Corn. “Pam embodies everything it means to be a dedicated leader to the organization and the agriculture industry. She has helped to pave the way for a number of farmer leaders to follow in her footsteps. It has been a real honor to know and work alongside Pam over the years.”
Pam was involved in the development of several programs such as the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development Program (I-LEAD) and helped establish Iowa Corn Opportunities LLC.
“During her time, Iowa Corn was also going through a major strategic planning process and structural change. Pam was amazing throughout the process with her attention to detail, ability to easily communicate with all members and understand the big picture, she was an integral part of bringing together our two boards,” shared Floss.
During involvement with Iowa Corn and NCGA, Pam always brought people together. No matter if she was working overseas and across cultures or in her local area, Pam always thought about the impact and benefit to the Iowa corn farmer. She always helped to raise others up and got them involved and valued relationships. It is always Pam’s mission to make sure that there is a spot at the table for anyone who wants to get involved and to have their voice heard.
“The thing that I am most proud of was the ability to be a role model and mentor for other people to follow in my footsteps,” shared Pam. “I was always trying to encourage both women and men to step to the plate and lead, you just have to recognize the potential in each of them.”
So as Pam would say: Just raise your hand, say yes, step up, get involved and you never know what door will open. And she would also tell you, the people you meet along the way will change your life.
Iowa Corn would like to thank Pam for all she has done on behalf of agriculture and Iowa Corn specifically. Pam, you have been a mentor, a friend and a strong leader for us to learn from and lean on.
Serving on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) has allowed me to see the many ways that the corn checkoff brings value back to us as farmers. Through expanding markets and promoting corn in all forms; licensing technology for value-added products through research; and educating consumers, farmers and key decision-makers the ICPB is having real impacts on all of our farms. Here are just a few of the highlights the ICPB worked on this last year.
In the area of market development, the ICPB continues to build demand for higher blends of ethanol and place an emphasis on educating drivers about the many benefits of homegrown Unleaded 88. Partnering with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association we continue to use the Drive Clean Iowa Campaign to connect with young drivers, from high school to young professionals encouraging them to choose Unleaded 88 at the pumps.
The corn checkoff also invests in research to develop new uses for corn. Currently the ICPB is leading a consortium of corn state checkoffs to develop a Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell designed to power an electric generator or motor using pure ethanol. We are also focusing on three new projects, including turning corn into flip-flop soles, PVC and a way to replace forever chemicals in plastic flame retardants. We estimate the yearly growth in these new chemicals, if made from corn, is over 100 million bushels of new corn demand in the next ten to fifteen years.
We also continue to strengthen our relationship with organizations such as NASA, who traveled to Iowa last summer to visit with our farmers and learn about Iowa agriculture and corn production firsthand from our organization.
ICPB continues to invest checkoff dollars to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers with educational efforts. We continue to meet consumers where they are through local events, field days, Iowa High School athletic events, the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. The Iowa Corn Mobile Education Unit and Biofuels Trailer also remain a popular touch point with consumers traveling to more than 200 events across the state this year alone.
I’ve only highlighted a couple of the campaigns and programs of the corn checkoff that are working for you and helping to bring the best return on investment to your farm. Stand with me in 2024, as we continue to promote and protect the good work of the Iowa Corn Checkoff.
Stan Nelson, ICPB President
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
47%
RESEARCH 13%
EDUCATION 29% ADMINISTRATION 11%
At the pump, the biggest barrier for consumers is confusion on what to fuel up with. That is why the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) invests checkoff dollars in ethanol education to help break down barriers so that consumers know that Unleaded 88 is safe for their vehicles and make the right choice when fueling up.
In addition to our partnership with Growth Energy on their Get Biofuel campaign and with Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) on their Drive Clean Iowa campaign, Iowa Corn has also been using digital, social
and in-person activation to educate students on college and university campuses across the state.
This fall, Iowa Corn engaged with college students on Iowa State’s campus during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences week. Iowa Corn staff along with IRFA staff set up on the central campus to have conversations with students about choosing UNL 88 at the pump.
The promotion focused on highlighting the Drive Clean Iowa campaign that showcases the many benefits of
fueling up with UNL 88 including supporting Iowa’s corn farmers, saving money at the pump and burning cleaner fuel that is more environmentally friendly. Students were able to follow Drive Clean Iowa on social media, take a spin at the corn trivia wheel and visit the Biofuels Educational Trailer.
At the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Corn also had a booth to talk with students on campus about UNL 88. Another in-person event this year was at the Iowa vs. Michigan State football game where the Iowa Corn trailer was set up outside of Kinnick Stadium. Staff was able to interact with fans as they were on their way into the game. During this event there were a lot of successful conversations about UNL 88.
To complement the in-person activation, we are also using digital ads to target 18 to 25-year-olds in major metropolitan areas across the state including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Sioux City. We have targeted them with ads and videos talking about the benefits of UNL 88 and then can track if they go to a retailer selling UNL 88.
We have also partnered with the Des Moines Hummingbirds, local influencers who share on their personal social platforms promoting filling up with UNL 88. Iowa Corn provides message talking points, but the social media influencers are free to create content that is authentic to their brands. By using influencers, our goal is that their followers will trust this influencer and make the same decision to fuel up with UNL 88. We have found that using influencers is the most effective strategy to change consumer behaviors.
Another big ethanol promotion ICPB has been a part of this year is the Winning Drive giveaway with Kwik Star. Across Iowa, Kwik Star is wrapping their fuel dispensers in Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series branding and having a friendly competition between the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones to see which side fills up with more UNL 88. From now until April 30, 2024, when customers fuel up at any Kwik Star with a minimum purchase of eight gallons of UNL 88, they will be eligible to win prizes provided by Hawkeye Sports Properties, Cyclone Sports Properties, Iowa Corn and Kwik Star.
“By partnering with Kwik Star to promote Unleaded 88, we can fuel consumers’ excitement about the Iowa Corn CyHawk Series and the opportunity to save money, earn rewards and support local corn growers,” said Stan Nelson, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board President, and a farmer from Des Moines County.
With newly designed Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series pumps at Kwik Star stations across the state, consumers enjoy fueling up while cheering for their favorite team. Iowa Corn has been partnering with Kwik Star on social media and promoting the campaign.
Ethanol education and moving more gallons of UNL 88 continues to be a priority ICPB to build demand for corn farmers and provide education for consumers. We look forward to the continued opportunities in 2024 to showcase ethanol on a state-wide and national stage.
Farmers care about the water we share. That’s the message that hundreds of thousands of Iowans have seen and heard over the last several years at a number of Iowa High School State Tournament sporting events. Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) is dedicated to sharing that farmers are committed to improving their soil and the quality of the water Iowans share because everyone wants clean water.
Throughout the year, Iowa Corn meets fans at the state tournaments for high school sporting events including football, wrestling, basketball, track and baseball. We are excited to expand our reach in 2024 and also attend girls’ wrestling, basketball and volleyball. In addition to being at the events in person, Iowa Corn is also sharing commercials during the streaming and TV broadcasts of the competitions.
In addition to conversations at events, digital ads are also placed that target event-goes with continued information about farmer-driven
sustainability practices. Through this approach, we reached nearly 180,000 viewers at state football and 35,000 at state wrestling. While we may not have a chance to talk to each individual, they are still being reached with information about water quality.
At these events, thousands of Iowa Corn branded water bottles with the slogan ‘Farmers Care About the Water We Share’ are handed out to consumers to fill their bottles from the tap to enjoy safe, clean water. From the large schools in urban areas to the small towns, ICPB is promoting water quality and farmers’ stories. The most popular events to engage consumers continue to be state wrestling and state track where there are several athletes and fans from multiple schools present.
Through these water bottles, the ICPB is opening the door to build trust for corn farmers among the interested public to protect the right to farm. We are also able to improve the perception that farmers are part of the environmental solution.
The consumer water quality project goes beyond just handing out water bottles at state championship games. At the Iowa Event Center, Iowa Corn has partnered to install water bottle filling stations around the main concourse that are wrapped in information about Iowa Corn and the conservation practices that farmers do each and every day. This stays up year-round so all individuals who attend conferences, concerts, sporting events and more see this messaging.
Iowa Corn has also partnered with Learfield Sports for water bottle filling stations at Jack Trice Stadium, Hilton Coliseum, UNI Dome and Kinnick Stadium. Water bottles are also handed out at the first game of the season and radio ads and in-field announcements run throughout the season with ‘Farmers Care’ messaging.
This Iowa Corn project continues to be a great opportunity to connect with and inform Iowans and provide visibility at events with both consumers and farmers to showcase water quality promotions. The water bottle and water quality communications will continue to be a priority to showcase Iowa Corn’s leadership in promoting sustainable farm practices and building the organization as a reliable source of information for consumers and farmers.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) invests in research to find new uses for corn, develop corn traits and improve farming practices. 13% of each penny of your corn checkoff is used to develop new and improved products made from corn and increase efficiency on your farm.
One recent effort Iowa Corn has been involved in has been the creation of the New Uses Consortium. A coalition of corn state organizations working in collaboration to pool resources and expertise together to research projects for potential new uses of corn.
The concept developed from a discussion at the staff level about the difficulty of doing new uses research alone and the impact that more resources could have, especially for some of the smaller states. Like ICPB, many other state checkoffs also have a mandate to do research focused on growing new corn demand.
After this initial discussion states asked the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to help build out what this coalition might look like. Fourteen corn-growing states were brought together and helped to create the Consortium, whoever wanted to be involved could be involved.
The first project of the New Uses Consortium is working on a Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell project that is being led by Iowa Corn’s Director of Industrial Innovation, Dr. Alex Buck, who has been an expert and resource in the new uses field. Thirteen states are funding this project along with the full support of NCGA. The Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell project is working to make electricity from ethanol and transform generators and electric motors that currently use petroleum, to instead use ethanol.
The New Uses Consortium will provide corn state organizations and ultimately farmers with a number of benefits. Because of the collaboration there will be a less likely chance that an entity double dips into multiple states for funding or have competing projects in the same field. The Consortium will also be able to leverage the resources of all corn farmers and their corn checkoff, as well as the knowledge of farmers serving on their board and the expertise of the staff across organizations. This means that farmer dollars will be able to go further and have a larger impact to grind more corn.
“I am excited about the opportunities to collaborate in the New Uses Consortium. As one individual, I can’t be everywhere all
Colorado
North Dakota
Minnesota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Iowa
Wisconsin
Michigan
Kansas
Missouri
Illinois
Ohio
Indiana
*Texas was a part of initial interviews by NCGA
the time, so having a network of peers to identify projects and solve problems will help ensure the best chance for projects using the Iowa Corn Checkoff to succeed,” shared Buck.
The future of the Consortium will be more new use research projects brought forward by any state organization. Iowa
Corn is working to bring forward two projects Vinyl Acetate Monomer and Vinyl Chloride Monomer.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board along with the New Uses Consortium will continue to pursue new uses research to grind more corn and create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability.
At Iowa Corn, we do many things. We develop and defend markets for corn across the globe. We fund research that unearths new uses for corn. And we spearhead education and promotional efforts to communicate the many benefits and uses of corn and corn products. Why do we do what we do? Because we believe in the corn growers of Iowa. What corn farmers do impacts people worldwide, and it’s our mission to support corn farmers’ interests. We’re here to work for the corn farmer. And we’re proud to do it.
TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF CORN TO SUSTAINABLY MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING WORLD
