President Biden announced The American Jobs Plan to rebuild the economy and invest in rural communities. One of the aspects of this plan that ICGA is most excited to see is the inclusion of investments in waterways. Specifically, an additional $17 billion dollar investment for inland waterways, coastal ports, and land ports of entry is being requested from Congress by Biden. This kind of investment is crucial in repairing and maintaining the infrastructure that Illinois’ corn exports rely on.
The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is sponsoring a program that will match up to $250 for the purchase of pork products for eligible charitable organizations. Eligible recipient charities include, churches, non-profit and for-profit organizations, shelter, soup kitchens and food pantries. Pork purchases can be made from local grocery stores, butchers or reimbursement for purchasing pork from a regional food bank. Applications will only be accepted for pork purchases and should come from the organization directly.
State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced U. S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer special funding for Precision Conservation Management efforts through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Precision Conservation Management is an innovative service program designed to apply financial farm business planning with precision conservation technology to help farmers make intelligent conservation decisions. NRCS has partnered with the Illinois Corn Growers Association to help producers address resource concerns such as water quality and soil health. Producers can apply for assistance through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) which will build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation through special conservation activities that are offered. The NRCS Precision Conservation Management RCPP project will be available to producers whose land is located in the following counties: Champaign, Christian, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Livingston, Macoupin, McLean, Sangamon, Tazewell, Vermillion, and Woodford.
A roundtable discussion featuring Precision Conservation Management Operation Manager Clay Bess and Director of Water Quality Research at IL Corn Laura Gentry will take place March 31 from 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon. This hour long discussion will feature questions pre submitted from farmers interested in joining the Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program and what it all entails. PCM is a farmer service program designed to help farmers understand and manage risks associated with adopting new conservation practices with the objective of helping farmers make sound financial decisions. The program evaluates conservation practices both on their impact to the environment and their impact to family farmer profitability.
Corn farmers met virtually with 17 Illinois congressional representatives over two days in place of their annual Fly-In to D.C. ICGA board members enjoyed having discussion about our key legislative priorities which include farmers being a solution to climate change, leveling the playing field when it comes to renewable energy and the importance of waterway infrastructure. Like many other things, congressional visits this year brought special challenges and opportunities. Leaders and staff adapted to accommodate the changes and provided a chance to continue discussion on key topics surrounding ag and having open dialogue.
Delegates across the nation proposed, debated and voted on around 30 proposals brought forth for discussion at this year’s Corn Congress meeting. Delegates from corn states across the nation tuned in virtually to discuss desired changes to the National Corn Growers Association’s policy book which guides NCGA in its advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. The number of delegates per state is determined by the number of members and the amount of check off funding which is based off yield. After debate and discussion, delegates vote on whether a proposal is included in the policy book.
