County corn organizations step up during time of need
County corn organizations across the state fuel the grassroots efforts of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, but today many are shifting focus to help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are just a few examples of how farmers are stepping up to help their local businesses and support essential employees during this challenging time.
Chippewa County Corn and Soybean Growers
The parade that the Chippewa County Corn and Soybean Growers participate in each year to promote local agriculture was cancelled, which meant they had a number of items they would no longer be handing out to people lining the streets.
The farmers who sit on the county board made the decision to donate a pallet of bottled water to its local hospital CCM Health, which serves many of the residents in Chippewa County. The gesture was an opportunity to make the most of an unfortunate situation and help the health care workers bravely serving on the front lines of the pandemic.
Freeborn County Corn Growers
Freeborn County Corn and Soybean Growers made a $3,000 donation to three food shelves in Albert Lea and Alden. Recognizing the financial hardship many families were under due to COVID-19, Freeborn County board member Cole Pestorious said they were eager to be able to help the food shelves experiencing increased traffic.
“Speaking to someone from Alden, he said you couldn’t believe the number of cars lined up at the food shelf in the area,” Pestorious said. “We wanted to be able to contribute to winning the fight against this virus, and this was one of the better ways we could,” he said.
Murray County Corn and Soybean Growers
Murray County Corn and Soybean board members were forced to cancel this year’s annual meeting due to COVID-19, so they came up with a new way to thank their supporters while supporting local businesses.
The farmers who sit on the board decided to work with local restaurants to organize a free lunch for the supporters of their organization, as well as for the essential workers during COVID-19. The effort would not only show their appreciation, but also support local restaurants severely impacted by Minnesota’s “stay-at-home” order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“It really is a win-win,” Stoel said. “We can walk into a local cafe with hundreds of dollars to buy these lunches, which helps those guys out, and then bring a free lunch voucher or lunch to someone who is really under some stress and isn’t expecting it.”
Yellow Medicine County Corn Growers
In an effort to give back to a community that has long supported them, board members of the Yellow Medicine County Corn Growers purchased hundreds of cloth masks from a local retailer, Clarkfield Outdoors, to distribute throughout the county to those in need.
Dispersal of the masks began by dropping off a box of masks at agronomy centers, where spring planting traffic would be high, and asked they hand them out to customers. Yellow Medicine corn farmers also focused on helping essential employees who continue to work with the general public. They handed them out to implement dealers for their technicians, in addition to seed dealers and local co-ops.
Board members also dropped off hundreds of masks at the Yellow Medicine County food shelf, along with a $1,000 donation to stock the shelves during the pandemic.
“Overall, it really was a great situation to be able to help the county with something they might not be able to easily get their hands on,” said Doug Albin, a county board member and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council member.
Support on the state level
In addition to supporting the many efforts by county corn organizations, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is also stepping up to help families facing hunger during COVID-19.
On April 30, Twin Cities radio stations Go 95.3 and Go 96.3 are holding a radio telethon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to raise funds for Second Harvest Heartland. Listeners will make a donation to Second Harvest Heartland, then text their receipt to either Go 95.3 at (651)-989-9595 or Go 96.3 at (651)989-9696 to have the song of their choice played, regardless of genre. MCGA will be sponsoring an hour of the telethon, starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow, and matching the amount raised over the hour up to a pre-determined amount. MCGA board member Harold Wolle will also be participating in interviews throughout the hour on both stations to discuss corn farming in Minnesota.
Click here to learn how you can make a donation from 1 to 2 p.m. tomorrow so that MCGA can match it and help make a difference for Minnesota families in need.
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association would love to hear how your county organization is helping communities in need. Contact your district field manager here, and let them know today.
