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MN corn growers focus on efforts that strengthen ag sector

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Minnesota’s farms and agribusinesses play a vital role in rural communities and the overall economic well-being of our state. To strengthen the ag sector, Minnesota corn farmers are building new markets for homegrown commodities, promoting the importance of agriculture to consumers, and advocating at the Capitol.

As evidenced by the impact of current trade disputes, export markets are crucial to the overall health of Minnesota’s ag sector. With that, the state’s corn growers are investing in growing export markets for Minnesota-grown agricultural products.

Last fall, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) worked with the U.S. Grains Council to host the Export Exchange, which brought nearly 500 people from around the globe to Minneapolis to form trade relationships with American exporters. Also last year, the state’s corn farmers helped host the U.S. Grains Council Ethanol Summit of the Asia Pacific in the Twin Cities, bringing representatives from 17 countries to Minnesota to discuss current and future prospects for expanded ethanol use.

Both events were in addition to the numerous efforts by Minnesota’s corn farmers to host government and industry officials from around the globe and boast about the quality of Minnesota agriculture.

The state’s corn farmers are also passionate about building relationships at home by sharing information with Minnesotans about modern agriculture.

MCGA and its grower members are proud supporters of CommonGround Minnesota, which is a group of women in agriculture who volunteer their time to share information about food and farming. CommonGround hosts outreach events each year that pair Twin Cities moms, foodies and influencers with CommonGround volunteers for conversations about food and farming. Each event is an opportunity to answer questions and address common myths and misconceptions about farming with a metro audience.

And finally, MCGA and its grower leaders are important advocates at the Capitol on issues impacting agriculture.

Last year, MCGA was part of a coalition effort to increase the Ag2School property tax credit, which provides much-needed property relief to farmers while ensuring a more equitable system for rural school funding. The credit will increase from 40-percent to 70 percent by 2023. It is estimated the credit will bring $54 million in tax relief to farm families over that time period.

Whether it is in the metro, on the farm or at the Capitol, the state’s corn growers will continue to take a proactive role in supporting Minnesota agriculture. It is one of many ways MN Corn Grows MN.

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