Growers reach out to the public in southwestern Minnesota: MCGA Field District 4
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 (DFMs) travel the state in an effort to empower farmers and county organizations with resources, information and support to be successful. This year, we have been highlighting these local grassroots efforts.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
In southwestern Minnesota corn growers are jumping right back into in-person events on farms and at schools, golf courses, fairs and parades.
“I love the variety of this work, trying to take the ideas of each of the local grower boards and help make them a reality,” said Macy Kahler DFM of MCGA’s District 4, which includes 14 southwestern Minnesota grower organizations.
The Cottonwood County Corn & Soybean Growers Association continues to be one of the top groups in District 4 in terms of exposure during the summer months, according to Kahler. The group participates in many town parades and festivals throughout the summer, such as Windom Riverfest and Westbrook Fun Days. It has farmers who join the parades as walkers and a truck with bed-fins that promote ethanol.
Many of the county groups offer scholarships. The Lincoln County Corn & Soybean Growers Association offers assistance to 15 to 20 high school students each year.
Above: Martin County Corn & Soybean Growers Association board member Louis Maday (left) greets grower Brad Krusemark during the group’s July fueling event at the Trimont Town Center. Krusemark is the husband of Martin County board member Rochelle Krusemark (not pictured).
Lincoln County also plans an annual ag awareness breakfast, which will be held at the end of July. Also known as the “farmer’s share breakfast,” the price of admission is 35 cents, which, as small an amount as that is, still represents twice what farmers make. They are paid only 17.4 cents of every food dollar spent by consumers.
The Jackson County Corn & Soybean Growers Association sponsored a hole at the Pork Chop Open earlier this month, which was a wonderful chance to interact with the many golfers over the course of the day and talk food, farming and the role of agriculture in the local economy.
Ethanol is at the top of the agenda for many of the county corn organizations: Jackson County made its support for ethanol visible recently by donating pump toppers to a local gas station that read “Unleaded 88. Better for your air. Your engine. Your wallet.”
The Martin County Corn & Soybean Growers Association held a successful two-hour fueling event at the Trimont Town Center where they sold 732 gallons of ethanol-blended fuel, an increase of 116 gallons over the previous year.
The Lyon County Corn & Soybean Growers Association is well-placed to carry messages about food and agriculture to students, thanks to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Kahler reports. Theirs is a popular table at the FFA invite event, where many students stop by to chat and hear about farming. The growers give away fun and educational items at the SMSU Ag Bowl football game. Students also welcome Lyon County’s donation of 4-H shirts. Each year the growers also support the Ralco Enrichment Center at the Lyon County Fair, which draws younger kids to walk through and learn about farming.
The Murray County Corn & Soybean Growers Association’s annual meeting will start with a golf outing, and then move to the county fairgrounds for the meeting portion and a meal. The group decided to move up the meeting from its usual winter timeslot, to get the word out about all of its upcoming activities.
The Nobles County Corn & Soybean Growers Association and the Rock County Corn & Soybean Growers Association partnered to serve lunch in Magnolia when the Cattlemen’s Tour made its way through southwestern Minnesota. Nobles County held a well-attended golf outing in June, and Rock County will hold one in early August.
Multiple local grower organizations in District 4 create variety plots, including the associations in Brown, Martin, Pipestone, Redwood, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine counties. These plantings feature a lot of the new corn varieties available this growing season, which come from many different seed companies, to provide an unbiased demonstration of how each seed performs in local soils with local weather conditions.
The Redwood County Corn & Soybean Growers Association is already planning its annual meeting for next year. It holds the event each year with the Renville County Corn & Soybean Growers Association at Jackpot Junction Resort and Casino in Morton to take advantage of the dining and entertainment. This year, Redwood County awarded two $750 scholarships.
The Watonwan County Corn & Soybean Growers Association works hard to cultivate relationships with local FFA chapters. It created a board position for the teacher who serves as the FFA adviser. This year, FFA students are managing the growers’ Facebook page, a win-win for public outreach.
In addition to helping the growers plan events, Kahler’s other major role is communication.
“At every meeting, I get really good questions from the growers about their concerns with federal and state farm policy,” Kahler said. “I bring that information to the state corn growers association staff. It’s a privilege to play that role to help keep the two-way flow of communication going, which keeps the organization strong.”
Meet and connect with your local DFM here, and read more about MCGA District 1, MCGA District 3 and MCGA District 5.
MCGA is building a more sustainable future for the state’s corn farmers. Like all grassroots organizations, MCGA gathers its strength from its members. Join today!
