ACGA President Bolin Reminds Us :

 We Can

Make A Difference!

At the annual meeting of the ACGA Board of Directors, Sioux City, IA, September 11, 2009, Bolin reminds us from his own experience and as we reflect on the 9/11 tradegy and our families - "You can breed hatred into your family or you can breed passion and love. The latter which is the most rewarding thing you will ever do."  

Thank you, Keith.  

The following excerpt is from ACGA's About Us...in 1987, it became very apparent that a new voice was needed for producers that was not influenced by the grain processing and exporting companies who had become very powerful not only in the farm policy arena, but also within many of the same commodity associations.

About Us

Background

The American Corn Growers Association is America’s leading progressive commodity association, representing the interests of family farmers across America.  Since its inception, the ACGA has worked tirelessly to enhance farm income and protect rural communities. The ACGA recognizes that farmers here and abroad need to have the opportunity to be rewarded for their time, investment, and commitment to providing food, fiber and now energy to this nation and many around the world.

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.  John Ford, our first director for Congressional Affairs, who previously was an undersecretary in USDA working closely with then Secretrary of Agriculture John Block, personally witnessed and disclosed collusion between large agribusiness firms and commodity organizations. (audio interview of ford)  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 a concerted 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 who had become very powerful not only in the farm policy arena, but also within many of these same commodity associations.

The ACGA has long understood how the unique business of farming is.  We were the first and only organization to fully explore and explain this business structure to policy makers and the general public.  Given this understanding, we have logically come to the conclusion farm, trade and energy policies are very important to the well-being of farmers and rural communities that serve them.  We also understand that it is these same policies are just as important to the consumers that we supply. (go to more About Us).

Join ACGA today as a family farmer member or associate member!