But Now Is Not the Time to Erode the Safety Net

An Editorial Comment on President Obama's Proposed 2010 Federal Budget
By Keith Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Directors
American Corn Growers Association

 Corn Growers Join Ag Secretary's Call for Higher Ethanol Blend

WASHINGTON – Feb. 9, 2009 –Keith Bolin, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) commended U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a letter today for his support for the use of higher ethanol blends.

Ethanol, Bio-Diesel, Biomass and Wind Generated Energy Highlighted

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2009– Farm Aid President Willie Nelson and Keith Bolin, president of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) have announced their organizations’ sponsorship and facilitation of a series of renewable energy and farm policy workshops slated for over a half dozen farm states this year.

Leveraging Renewable Energy Use and Production Mirrors American Corn Growers Association Newly Ratified rural revitalization agenda and platform for 2009

 www.alltalkradio.net

Corn Growers Call upon Incoming Obama Administration and

111th Congress to Address Farm and Rural Issues

WASHINGTON – Jan. 5, 2008 –Keith Bolin, president of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) and a corn and hog farmer from Manlius, Ill., urged quick action from incoming President Obama and the new 111th Congress, and inclusiveness of the priorities of rural America in its agenda. 

In Conjunction with the A.C.G.A. 22^nd Annual Convention Jan. 15, 2009

 Coralville IA, Dec. 21 -  Pam Horwitz, Executive Director of the American Corn Growers Association announced that the association will host an “open-to-the-public” workshop covering the fundamental concepts for setting up an Alcohol and BioFuel business for small and medium size Farmers and entrepreneurs.

American Corn Growers Association calls for policy reforms:

WASHINGTON,  Dec 15, 2008 – The American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), announced today that it is calling for support for federal policy reforms to protect American Farmers, consumers and investors from the negative impacts of radical market fluctuations caused by natural disasters, economic downturns, and the growing worldwide demand for food and biofuels.

The ACGA was formed in 1987 after strong dissatisfaction with corn producer representation during the 1985 farm bill debate, which was a turning point in US farm policy.  At that time farm policy was passed that greatly undermined the ability of farmers to profit by reducing prices supports and marketing tools that farmers had used successfully for nearly fifty years.  It was done so under the auspices of becoming “more competitive in the international marketplace” but in reality was an attempt by agribusiness to reduce commodity prices domestically and worldwide.  This was done in the face of a US farm crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Great Depression.  This radical approach to farm policy was supported by many commodity organizations, including the only existing corn grower association.  It became very apparent that a new voice was needed for producers that was not influenced by the grain processing and exporting companies along with chemical and seed companies who had become very powerful not only in the farm policy arena, but also within many of these same commodity associations.

 Bolin Says Investor-Owned Company has done Serious Damage to

Renewable Energy Sector

WILMINGTON, Del. – Dec 3, 2008 – Keith Bolin, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), and a corn and hog farmer from Bureau County, Ill., was in a federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del., this week to witness U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon approve a process that would allow VeraSun Energy Corporation ten business days prior to delivery of corn, contracted with farmers, to cancel those purchase contracts.   “This ruling leaves a lot of farm families in limbo, uncertain what their contracted bushels are worth and when they can actually sell them,” warned Bolin.  “The VeraSun bankruptcy proceedings on the East Coast are having serious reverberations throughout the Midwestern Corn Belt.”