MN Corn’s most-read 2022 blog posts
In 2022, the Minnesota Corn blog was once again the place to go for updates on agriculture policy, the Minnesota corn check-off, and general agriculture programming. Below is a recap of our 10 most-read blog posts of the year. Check back here throughout 2023 for the latest news affecting Minnesota corn farmers.
1. FFA award spotlights deeper knowledge of crop production (May 16)
This post featured FFA student Mason Stevermer, who won a first-place award at the 2022 Minnesota FFA Convention. Minnesota Corn supports FFA and other agriculture education initiatives such as 4-H, Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, and Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership as part of our mission to develop leaders in agriculture.
2. E15 in the summer: What you need to know (April 19)
This post was published the week after the Biden administration’s announcement allowing for Unleaded 88/E15 sales in summer 2022. It explained the outdated rule that made the announcement necessary and dispelled myths about Unleaded 88.
3. MCR&PC welcomes new leadership team for 2022-23 (July 1)
This post highlighted the corn farmers who are leading the Minnesota Research & Promotion Council in 2022-23: chair Doug Albin, vice chair Gary Prescher, treasurer Duane Epland, and secretary John Mages. It also recognized 2021-22 chair Brandon Fast. Thanks to all of these grower-leaders for their service!
4. MCGA announces 2022 scholarship winners (March 4)
This post announced the 2022 winners of Minnesota Corn’s four $5,000 college scholarships: Ross Herber of Utica, Heidi Hoffman of New Ulm, Kaitlyn Lorang of Morton, and Nadia Phillips of Silver Bay. In 2023, Minnesota Corn is once again offering four $5,000 college scholarships to MCGA young adult members. The 2023 scholarship application is due Jan. 6. Learn more and apply here.
5. Harvest 2022 went quickly, MN growers say (Nov. 10)
This post recapped the 2022 corn harvest. Growers reported that harvest went quickly this year thanks to clear weather, though the lack of rain had some worrying about soil moisture recharge.
6. Legislative leaders reach high-level agreement (May 17)
This post detailed an agreement between state legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz reached near the end of the 2022 session. While lawmakers didn’t pass most of the agreement, they did approve a supplemental agriculture budget bill that includes funding for drought relief and broadband.
7. MCGA, NCGA push back against fertilizer tariffs (Jan. 17)
This post highlighted efforts by MCGA and the National Corn Growers Association to prevent tariffs on urea ammonium nitrate phosphate fertilizers. Thanks in part to these efforts, in July, the International Trade Commission ruled against imposing tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers imported from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago.
8. MCGA urges reversal of Mexico GM corn ban (Oct. 25)
This post noted MCGA’s support of calls by NCGA for Mexico to reverse a proposed ban on genetically modified (GM) corn. In 2020, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that his country would phase out GM corn and the use of the herbicide glyphosate by 2024. The efforts against GM corn by López Obrador are based on unfounded concerns about GM corn and the use of essential herbicides by American farmers. “Any interruption to corn exports to Mexico will have a significant impact on this state and its growers,” MCGA President Richard Syverson said in a statement.
9. Next Generation Fuels Act introduced in U.S. Senate (July 26)
This post celebrated the Senate introduction of the bipartisan bill, which would lower fuel prices and reduce transportation-related carbon emissions. The bill was introduced by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and bipartisan colleagues. MCGA thanks Sen. Klobuchar for introducing the bill in the Senate, and U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) for co-sponsoring the bill in the U.S. House.
10. MCGA grower-leaders highlight ethanol, crop-protection tools in Capitol Hills visits (July 19)
This post reported on topics raised by grower-leaders during visits with members of Congress and USDA leaders during Corn Congress in Washington, D.C. Minnesota grower-leaders met with almost all members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation or their staffs during the visits. They also met with U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Rep. GT Thompson (R-Penn.), the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson will chair the committee the next two years.
