Grassroots Leaders: Jim O’Connor
(Harvest 2020 on the O’Connor farm)
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council are farmer-led grassroots organizations focused on identifying and promoting opportunities for corn farmers. This “Grassroots Leaders” series introduces you to the grower leaders who are working on your behalf as corn farmers.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Jim O’Connor has seen incredible changes to agriculture in the 40 years since he started farming on his own. Jim and his wife Kelli also see continuity with the past every day. Their Blooming Prairie operation includes the original home farm, which has been worked by the family for 160 years.
Working side-by-side with his son, Patrick, and son-in-law, Sam—and with daughters Katie and Megan, and daughter-in-law Krystal all pitching in at harvest time, too—Jim has the time now to look ahead to their future, and the future of their children on this farm. That’s the passion he takes with him to his work as chairman of the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, which directs funds from the Minnesota corn check-off to efforts that increase sustainability and profitability on the farm.
“If I can make a difference that will impact future generations, that’s all I care about,” said O’Connor. “On the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, we invest the Minnesota corn check-off dollars on behalf of all growers. We are heavily invested in stewardship through research into conservation farming methods like cover crops, and reduced nitrogen usage.”
Preserving the environment is a universal value, and one that farmers see and live every day. Corn producers see other opportunities where their crops can serve uses that improve the environment. Perhaps the chief among these is ethanol.
“Ethanol improves air quality,” said O’Connor. “One of the most exciting things on our research agenda is a new technology that will use ethanol as a feedstock for a drop-in fuel, an ethanol-based diesel that can be used with current engine technology, called ClearFlame.”
O’Connor says new uses like this can keep farming profitable, while producing the things people want and need in a more sustainable way. For instance, moving over from petroleum-based plastics that build up in the environment, to corn-based, biodegradeable polymers that work well for their uses, but then, once disposed of, degrade harmlessly in compost.
“The Council also invests fairly heavily in exports. We have what the world needs. It’s just a matter of making the connections,” said O’Connor. “Once people experience the quality of American farm products, they become loyal customers.”
MCR&PC’s membership in the US Grains Council (USGC) supports the efforts to sell grain and livestock in foreign markets. Trade with Mexico, Canada, Japan, Korea and many other nations has grown with the careful cultivation of trade relations through the USGC. China’s re-entry into the grain market this year boosted profits for American farmers.
“As farmers, we are moving forward into the future, doing more with fewer resources, and we want to continue on that path.”
