COMMONGROUND ND PARTNERS WITH MULTIPLE FIELD-TO-PLATE DINNERS TO SERVE UP AGRICULTURAL CONVERSATIONS

North Dakota farmers and ranchers are known to produce some of the finest quality commodities in the world. This summer many urban consumers had the opportunity to have their senses tantalized by amazing fare that was served up in picture-perfect agricultural settings. These CommonGround North Dakota (CGND) dinner events were hosted by producers who were eager to share their personal stories about their life and work on the farm and the ranch.

The first event held this summer was the 2nd Annual 2019 Banquet in a Field Western Style in Belfield, North Dakota. In the beginning of July, CGND partnered with the Dickinson Chamber Agriculture Committee to bring approximately 150 invitation-only guests to Arrow K Farms. Invitees had an opportunity to engage in dialog about where food comes from while feasting on a wonderfully prepared multi-course meal that featured local commodities.

The next event was the inaugural Dinner on the Prairie. This event was held at the end of July in South Prairie near Minot. The excitement was credible, bringing forth a well-attended invitation-only and memorable event. The mission was to bring together a group of farmers, ranchers, educators and agriculturists to empower and educate people to feel confident about their food Dinner on the Prairie served up conversations about agriculture. decisions and showcase the diversity of North Dakota agriculture.

The inaugural Farmland to Fine Dining event, the third dinner event that was held in early August near Bismarck, welcomed members of the area’s urban community. This event was open to all who purchased tickets with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Farm Rescue. Diners traveled to the country to hear farm and ranch stories while they were served an exquisite meal. Attendees also engaged in conversations with farmers and ranchers to help understand how consumers can follow the steps back to where food comes from. The event’s platform was to create an educational and entertaining fine dining experience while generating awareness of the importance and sustainability of local agriculture.

The final scheduled event, the 3rd Annual Dinner in the Valley, was held at the Sheyenne River Bend Farm near Valley City this September. Dinner in the Valley was hosted by the Valley City Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. Conversations and North Dakota grown food were served during this invitation-only event.

To learn more about CommonGround North Dakota and each of these partner events, go to:

www.commongroundnd.com.

Farmland to Fine Dining Demonstration.

GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS

District 2 - Jason Rayner

North Dakota is divided into seven districts. These districts elect a member to serve producers on the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Jason Rayner of Finley, ND represents those producers in District 2. District 2 is comprised of Cass, Steele and Traill Counties.

Rayner is a 4th generation farmer and a graduate of Finley-Sharon High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mayville State University, where he also minored in accounting.

Jason and his wife, Renae, have been married since 1996. Renae plays a key role in the day to day farming activities like taking care of the books, running equipment, etc. and is integral to its operation. Jason and Renae were honored in 2015 as North Dakota State University (NDSU) Harvest Bowl County Honorees for Steele County. Together, Jason and Renae have two sons.

Jason’s eldest son, Logan, hopes to return home to join the operation upon graduation from the University of Minnesota – Crookston where he is a freshman. Logan will be the 5th generation, and plans to bring a degree in business agriculture management and a minor in agriculture systems management to the table. Lucas, the youngest, is now 10. “He is mowing and moving equipment, helping us get from field to field,” Rayner explains. “He is getting more involved all the time.” Jason began farming in 1994, taking over for his grandfather at that time. The Rayner’s farm 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans near Finley. “This is truly a family farm,” says Jason. “My wife and sons help out all the time. My dad helps, and my grandfather, now 89, still comes to give guidance. It has always been a family farm. Without them it’d be awfully tough.” Rayner is excited about the opportunity to promote corn use and make an impact on his community through his role with NDCUC. “I had been a county representative for years and wanted to be more involved. The industry has grown so much. I am excited about the chance to promote and educate, especially when it comes to ethanol, and be a part of the positive impact it is making on our community and state.”

In addition to serving corn farmers in North Dakota as a member of NDCUC, Jason sits on the Finley Lutheran Church board and the Dakota Rural Water District board. He also represents NDCUC on the National Corn Growers Association board. In his spare time, Jason enjoys time at the lake and dabbling in golf. He is a NDSU Bison fan, and also enjoys University of North Dakota (UND) Hockey.

The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council (NDCUC) was created in 1991 and consists of seven members representing seven districts. NDCUC board members can serve 2 consecutive 4-year terms. The NDCUC oversees how North Dakota’s corn checkoff dollars are spent on research, education and promotion of corn and

corn products.

Jason Rayner with his wife, Renae, and their sons, Logan and Lucas.

IS IT FALL ALREADY?

John Flaa

Corn & Soybean Product Manager District Sales Manager

South East North Dakota & West Central Minnesota

Proseed

It’s the end of August and Fall feels like it’s here already. I hope it’s not, even though it’s my favorite season. Our corn crop needs a bit more time…probably all of September. Corn in our world (ND and NW MN) needs 55-60 days after silking to mature and be safe from a hard freeze. It’s in Mother Nature’s hands…like usual. I’ve had a lot of conversations the past week or so about corn making maturity. We need some heat, plain and simple.

Where I live, Richland county, we had a bunch of corn planted around May 8-15. Then growers got rained out and back in the fields the end of May and early June to finish corn planting and then to replant all the low areas from the first go around. That was fun…NOT. Spring 2019 was a bearcat in places. Growers got most the crop in though, unlike other areas in the Midwest.

What does a weird spring like 2019 do to hybrid testing and research trials for seed companies trying to evaluate new products? It’s a double edged sword. All the locations didn’t get planted…that’s a negative. Some were planted later than intended…that’s OK,

we can’t always evaluate new stuff in a garden. I saw definite differences in how corn hybrids responded to too much water, and too little water. Taking notes at silking was kind of neat in a year with cool temps and low GDU’s predominating. I would rather have 2017 and 2018 over again, but you take what you are dealt. I would guess that early flowering hybrids with good dry down scores will shine in these “late planting” situations.

What does a weird spring like 2019 do to hybrid seed production? I’ve heard that question a lot. I can tell you that we are sitting pretty good. Yes, we will be short of a few key lines, but only to the tune of 80% of expectations. Many others are looking like 110% of expectations. Pollination was very good this year. I was pretty nervous in July about hybrid production fields, but not so much anymore. Whew!! We got lucky.

What does a weird spring like 2019 do to deer shedding their velvet? It’s August 30th today and trail cam pics from yesterday show that deer antlers are still fuzzy…at least where I hunt. I’m gonna go brush in a ground blind and have a go at it.

I hope we get some heat in September and a good dry October…not too dry though because dogs can’t smell rooties that good if it’s too dry. 2019 has been a challenge and will be remembered for awhile. I would like to say “good riddance” to Spring 2019, and let’s hope Fall 2019 is a good one. Have a safe harvest season and hunting season…Fall is here.

NORTH DAKOTA CORN COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Corn Council District 2 Corn Council District 3 Benson - Randy Simon Burke - Bryan Ankenbauer Cavalier - Mike Muhs Divide - Derik Pulvermacher Grand Forks - Greg Amundson McHenry - Jason Schiele Mountrail - Cliff Tollefson Nelson - David Steffan Pembina - William Wagner Pierce - Nick Schmaltz Ramsey - Paul Becker Renville - Bruce Teubner Ward - Gary Neshem Corn Council District 4 Barnes - Mike Clemens Eddy - Bill Smith Foster - Tysen Rosenau Griggs - Mark Ressler District 1: Carson Klosterman, Wyndmere District 2: Jason Rayner, Finley (Vice Chairman) District 3: William Wagner, Neche District 4: Tysen Rosenau, Carrington District 5: Terry Wehlander, DeLamere (Chairman) District 6: Scott German, Oakes (Secretary/Treasurer) District 7: Robert Ferebee, Halliday

NORTH DAKOTA CORN COUNCIL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Corn Council District 1 Corn Council District 5 Wyndmere - Carson Klosterman Ransom - Justin Halvorson Cass - Patrick Skunes Corn Council District 6 Steele - Jason Rayner Dickey - Scott German Traill - Mike Beltz LaMoure - Dennis Feiken

Sargent - Terry Wehlander Corn Council District 7 Adams - Jordan Christman Bowman - Tony Pierce Burleigh - Lance Hagen Dunn - Robert Ferebee Emmons - Alex Deis Golden Valley - Steve Zook Grant - Cody VandenBurg Hettinger - Darwyn Mayer Kidder - James Cusey Logan - Dennis Erbele McIntosh - Anthony Neu McKenzie - CJ Thorne McLean - Paul Anderson Mercer - Riley Schriefer Morton - Elwood Barth Oliver - Clark Price Sioux - Jarrod Becker Slope - Ryan Stroh Stark - Duane Zent Wells - Richard Lies

NDCGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS District 1: Andrew Mauch, Mooreton District 1: Ben Bakko, Walcott District 2: Randy Melvin, Buffalo (President) District 2: Tim Kozojed, Hillsboro District 3: Paul Thomas, Velva (Vice President) District 4: Robert Hanson, Wimbledon (Secretary) District 4: Ryan Wanzek, Jamestown District 5: Justin Halvorson, Sheldon District 5: Kyle Speich, Milnor District 6: Drew Courtney, Oakes District 6: Bart Schott, Kulm District 7: Anthony Mock, Kintyre District 7: Clark Price, Hensler

Director-at-large: Kevin Skunes, Arthur Director-at-large: Larry Hoffmann, Wheatland NDCGA Industry Directors Tom Cook: Cargill, Wahpeton Kyle Gerner: Gerner Ag, Oakes Ryan Bohnsack: American Federal Bank, Fargo Jeff Triebold: Prairieland Ag, Fargo

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

When you join the North Dakota Corn Growers Association (NDCGA) you invest in the North Dakota corn industry today and beyond. You join hundreds of your fellow North Dakota corn farmers in creating an even stronger future for corn production in the state.

Your future as a corn producer is influenced by consumer opinion, regulatory guidelines and government programs. NDCGA ensures that your voice is heard when decisions are being made that impact your farm.

You are an important part of North Dakota's corn industry. Fill out the North Dakota Corn Growers Association Membership Application on this page and join today!

If you would like to learn more about membership, please contact Elli at elli@ndcorn.org. North Dakota Corn Growers Association MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

___________________________________________________________ Name

___________________________________________________________ Farm/Business Name

___________________________________________________________ Address

___________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip

___________________________________________________________ County

___________________________________________________________ Home Phone

___________________________________________________________ Mobile Phone

___________________________________________________________ Email

___________________________________________________________ Spouse Name

___________________________________________________________ Recruiter Name

MARK ONE

New Membership Renewal

MARK ONE

I have sold at least 12,000 bushels of corn in ND, entitling me to a free 1-year membership.

I have sold at least 24,000 bushels of corn in ND, entitling me to a free 3-year membership. I have not sold corn in North Dakota, but wish to become a member. 1 Year = $35 3 Year = $85 1 Year Student Membership (High school or post-secondary) = $10

COMPLETE APPLICATION FORM AND MAIL WITH PAYMENT TO:

North Dakota Corn Growers Association 4852 Rocking Horse Circle South Fargo, ND 58104

For more information,

visit www.ndcorn.org or call (701) 566-9322

4852 Rocking Horse Circle S. • Fargo, ND 58104 ndcorn.org • (701) 566 -9322

The ND Corn Growers Association does not endorse the use of products advertised in the magazine.