Recapping an eventful 2021 on the Minnesota Corn blog
In 2021, Minnesota Corn’s blog was once again the place to go for the latest corn-related news, feature stories and updates on public outreach initiatives, research investments and grassroots advocacy. Below is a rundown of 10 of our most memorable posts of the year. Thanks to all of our grower-leaders for making 2021 another successful year and helping to build a more prosperous future for corn farmers and rural communities.
1. Carrying on the mission to keep families in farming (Jan. 19)
Throughout 2020 and 2021, our blog featured stories on our grassroots leaders, highlighting their connections to farming and their involvement with Minnesota Corn. This story featured MCGA secretary Jim Kanten and noted the legacy of his grandmother Anne Kanten, a farm leader who became an assistant Minnesota agriculture commissioner in the 1980s. Jim said his grandmother, who passed away in December 2020, was happy he became involved in farm-policy discussions.
2. Statewide campaign elevates Unleaded 88 as the ‘Better Fuel’ at the pump (Feb. 8)
After launching the Better Fuel Initiative in early 2021, Minnesota Corn elevated the campaign in 2021 with new advertisements featuring KFAN “Power Trip” morning show co-host and producer Chris Hawkey. This story highlighted our partnership with Hawkey and explained what consumers could expect from the Better Fuel Initiative. In 2022, look for new outreach featuring Hawkey on your favorite media channels. To learn more about the benefits of ethanol-blended fuels, visit betterfuel.org.
3. 2021 MCGA Scholarship Recipients: Growing the future (March 30)
Since 2019, Minnesota Corn has awarded scholarships to talented college students pursuing degrees and/or careers in agriculture. This story highlighted the 2021 scholarship winners, noting their majors, intended career paths and involvement in agriculture. Later in the year, as Minnesota Corn began soliciting applications for 2022 scholarships, we checked back in with the first two recipients of our scholarship to see where their education has taken them. The 2022 Minnesota Corn scholarship deadline is Jan. 7. Apply today!
4. Minnesota Corn commits $1 million to MN biofuels infrastructure grant program (April 8)
Minnesota Corn’s $1 million pledge to the new state biofuel infrastructure grant program was one of our signature initiatives in 2021. This story covered our announcement of that pledge, noting the support of state leaders for biofuel infrastructure grants. In June, thanks to the grassroots advocacy efforts of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, state legislators committed $12 million to the program. The funding could lead to an additional 125 Minnesota fueling stations offering Unleaded 88, boosting sales by nearly 40 million gallons per year.
5. Longtime board and council member Mickey Peterson is retiring (June 29)
Peterson, who farms in Sacred Heart, served on the board and the council for nearly 30 years. This story highlighted his many contributions to Minnesota’s corn organizations, noting his skill as a recruiter and dedication to the state’s corn farmers. Minnesota Corn thanks Mickey for his service and wishes him good health in his retirement.
6. Minnesota Corn enjoys successful Farmfest (Aug. 10)
This story recapped Minnesota Corn’s efforts at Farmfest to highlight the many ways corn growers are building a sustainable future for the state’s agriculture sector and all Minnesotans. It included a rundown of the state leaders who visited the MCGA tent, photos from the week and a link to the recipe for our famous sweet corn ice cream.
7. Teachers get front-row seat to the world of raising food (Sept. 8)
Throughout the year, our blog carried stories about Minnesota Corn’s partnerships with agriculture education organizations such as Farmamerica and Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC). This story highlighted MAITC’s summer teacher tours program, which allowed over 80 educators to virtually visit farms and learn more about growing crops. In 2021, the Minnesota Corn blog also featured stories about the state FFA Convention, GreenSeam and Nourish the Future, among other educational initiatives.
8. MCGA’s 2021-22 president is a fourth-generation farmer (Oct. 1)
Each year, the Minnesota Corn blog features stories about the many leadership positions assumed by our grower-leaders and their efforts to build a stronger future for farmers. This story introduced MCGA’s 2021-22 president, Bryan Biegler, and noted Biegler’s background in farming. Throughout the year, our blog also featured stories highlighting leadership positions taken by Dana Allen-Tully, Harold Wolle, Chad Willis and Brandon Fast, among others.
9. Telling the Minnesota farm story in London and Helsinki (Nov. 23)
In November, Biegler and MCGA board member Brian Thalmann participated in a trade mission to London and Helsinki, Finland, led by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. This story recapped their efforts to promote Minnesota agriculture and their experience abroad.
10. The turkey on your table: made with love, corn and whole lot of protein (Nov. 24)
This story explained how corn plays a key role in producing the Thanksgiving turkeys that are a staple of the holiday. As the holiday season wraps up, Minnesota Corn continues to be grateful for everything farmers do to ensure the world has an abundant supply of safe and healthy food.
