Stronger together: MCGA Field District 1
As a grassroots organization, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is driven by the efforts of corn farmers and their local county corn grower associations. MCGA district field managers travel the state in an effort to empower farmers and county organizations with resources, information and support to be successful. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting these local grassroots efforts.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Marlene Dufault, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association District Field Manager for six counties in northwestern Minnesota, has been an agriculture communicator for almost three decades. In addition to her work strengthening the networking and communications among county Corn Grower Associations, Dufault is also a communications contractor for Minnesota Wheat, making her perfectly situated to help the farmers of the region craft events and communications to educate the public and enhance their connection to agriculture.
Dufault works with local Corn Growers Associations in Becker/Mahnomen, Clay/Wilkin, Marshall, Norman, Pennington/Red Lake, and Polk counties.
“I did a lot of communications work, including writing for publications.” said Dufault. “I like to include quotes that express what we are all thinking and what inspires us, and one of the ones I use a lot is ‘We are stronger together than we are alone.’”
The pandemic brought sudden change to how groups operated in 2020, but plans are afoot to return to more in-person programming, when it is safe to do so. Dufault said local corn grower groups constantly impress her with their work ethic and their caring attitude.
“With the cancellation of in-person events last year, my local counties donated over $4,000 to local food banks,” Dufault said. “I was especially proud of my counties for making these contributions to people struggling to put food on the table. Since we couldn’t use those dollars for our normal events and functions, it was really good to see them investing that money in helping others. Farmers play a big role in society, and I want people to understand that. The bottom line is that farmers do care. I tell people it’s in our DNA, so of course we have to do it.”
Dufault had plenty to report when it comes to activities and plans underway in the counties.
Clay/Wilkin offers the fire and rescue departments funds for grain rescue equipment such as harnesses, augers and tubes to move grain away in the event that someone becomes trapped in a grain bin or silo. Clay/Wilkin also recently held a membership call night and worked with local FFA student volunteers to hone their farmer outreach skills as well as provide encouragement to those looking to pursue careers in agriculture.
Norman County sponsors several aspects of the Norman County Fair, including an ethanol promotion during the racetrack week, and the construction of the ever-popular corn pit play structures. The corn growers also create signage with fast facts about agriculture that help to inform the steady stream of visitors.
Polk County hopes to restart its youth tractor and farm safety training program. It has been so popular that it is offered several times each summer. Educators from University of Minnesota Extension direct the program, which, on completion, presents fourteen-year-old students the knowledge and certification they need to operate farm equipment. Medical personnel and firefighters also attend and speak to the kids about safety.
Another popular program for Polk County is a 15-acre corn maze operated by one of the county board members. Dufault creates trivia about corn that airs on a local radio station; listeners can call in and try their luck and win tickets to the corn maze. There have been as many as 7,000 visitors to the maze in a season. The county association also places signs along the paths, to inform people about what it takes to raise, store and get the grain to market.
Marshall County focuses their activities on promotion through local fairs and parades. At the county fair, they provide picnic tables, complete with the corn grower logo. They also sponsor some livestock pens for the FFA building.
“We also bought books about corn, since March is national reading month,” Dufault said. “These are books for school children in grades K-3rd grade, and this year, because children were often learning from home, we mailed the books directly to the teachers for the students. The staff at Minnesota Ag In The Classroom program helped us figure out which books to select, to ensure that it would have a great impact.”
Pennington-Red Lake County holds a soil health café for fellow farmers and one of the board members offers a tour of his farm. The county also sponsors the county fair and offers scholarships to students seeking degrees in agricultural related fields. This year they gave out four $1,000 dollar scholarships to local seniors who are going into ag education.
“We want to help ensure the future educational opportunities and promote the many different types of jobs that are available in agribusiness,” said Dufault.
Meet and connect with your local District Field Manager here, and read more about MCGA District 2 and MCGA District 5.
MCGA is building a more sustainable future for the state’s corn farmers. But like all grassroots organizations, MCGA gathers its strength from its members. Join today!
