What to know about running for Minnesota’s corn boards
This fall, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC) released their 2026 candidate forms. Submission of the candidate application form is highly encouraged for those interested in running for the MCGA board. Candidates for the MCR&PC are required to submit the candidate information and certification forms. Here’s what you need to know about running for a seat on the MCGA board or the MCR&PC
What is the MCGA board? What is the MCR&PC?
MCGA is Minnesota’s grassroots corn growers association. Founded in 1978, MCGA advocates on behalf of corn farmers, supports county corn growers associations, and works closely with the MCR&PC to fund research, promotion, and outreach aimed at increasing opportunities for corn farmers. MCGA currently has more than 6,700 members.
The MCR&PC oversees the Minnesota corn checkoff—the fund used to increase opportunities for corn farmers in the state. The council invests checkoff dollars into research, promotion, and outreach programming aimed at developing markets for corn, increasing on-farm sustainability, and improving quality of life for corn farmers and all Minnesotans.
Who can run for the MCGA board? Who can run for the MCR&PC?
You must be an MCGA member to serve on the MCGA board. Joining is easy. If you have sold at least 7,500 bushels of corn in the past year and paid into the Minnesota corn checkoff, you may qualify for a one-year membership to MCGA at no cost. Otherwise, a one-year MCGA membership is $75. Learn more at mncorn.org/join.
To serve on the MCR&PC, farmers must be at least 18 years old, grow corn in Minnesota, and pay into the Minnesota corn checkoff. A link to the state statute that provides full information on eligibility can be found here.
What are the obligations when serving on the board or the council?
Board and council members are expected to attend MCR&PC and MCGA board meetings. The MCR&PC and MCGA board hold joint meetings five times a year. Board and council members are also asked to join one of the Minnesota Corn focus teams: Membership & Consumer Engagement, Utilization, or Discovery & Development. The teams meet four times a year.
How long are terms on the board and the council? Can I serve on both?
Board and council terms are three years long. You can only serve on one at a time. The MCGA board has a limit of three consecutive terms, and MCR&PC has no term limits.
How many board and council seats are up for election in 2026?
Eight MCGA board seats and four MCR&PC seats are up for election in 2026.
To ensure statewide representation, both the MCGA board and the MCR&PC elect farmers from specific districts of Minnesota. The districts are numbered differently for the board and the council, though they cover similar geographic boundaries.
MCGA elections will be held in District 1 (southwestern Minnesota), District 2 (south-central Minnesota), District 4 (west-central Minnesota), and District 5 (east-central Minnesota). There will also be three at-large elections, which can be filled by farmers from any part of the state.
MCR&PC elections will be held in Districts 1/2/4 (northwestern Minnesota), District 7 (southwestern Minnesota), and District 8 (south-central Minnesota).
I’m interested. Now what?
The next step is to fill out the candidate forms for the board or the council. The forms are here.
For the MCR&PC, growers must complete the candidate certification form and the candidate information form. The certification form affirms that you meet the qualifications to run for the council. The information form asks candidates to explain why they want to serve on the council. Farmers will not be allowed to run for election to the MCR&PC unless they complete both forms. Council candidate forms are due by January 24, 2026.
For MCGA, growers are asked to fill out the candidate application form and return it to MCGA staff by December 31, 2025.
What happens after I submit the candidate forms?
For MCR&PC, candidates who submit the required forms will be placed on the election ballot. In March 2026, ballots will be mailed to farmers who participated in past MCR&PC elections. Corn farmers who did not vote in previous elections can request a ballot by contacting the Minnesota Corn office at (952) 233-0333. Ballots include only the candidates running to represent your district. Election results will be announced in the spring.
For MCGA, elections will be held during the MCGA Annual Meeting on the morning of January 21, 2026, at MN Ag Expo in Mankato. While candidates are encouraged to submit the application form ahead of time, MCGA members may also run from the floor at the meeting. All voting for district seats is conducted by delegates within the corresponding district.
Learn more
Learn more about the Minnesota Corn Growers Association here and the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council here.
