57. NCGA’s New President, Jed Bower, Is Up for the Challenge

For more than 50 years, the Environmental Species Act has regulated the way that farmers can use certain crop tools, like pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. But American farmers are experiencing the most significant change in ESA policy yet, as the judicial system compels the Environmental Protection Agency to adapt its policies and comply more precisely with the law as it’s written. So in this episode, we’re learning about how NCGA remains active in the public input process for this policy change, ensuring that growers do not lose access to the tools that help them feed and fuel the world. We’ll speak with Dr. Becky Langer, NCGA’s Director of Inputs and Innovation, about how the process is playing out, how NCGA has partnered with the EPA, and what the impact will be when it’s all said and done.

American farmers face generational challenges in today’s market. And the new president of the National Corn Growers Association, Jed Bower, isn’t shying away from the big tasks ahead of him. Bower took the reins as NCGA’s top grower-leader effective October 1, on the same day that the U.S. federal government shut down over a funding negotiations standstill. And in this episode, he’ll explain why Congress needs to get back to work, reopen the government, and make progress on priorities that could help producers find their way back to profitability. Jed is joined by Lesly McNitt, NCGA’s vice president of public policy. Together they’ll discuss how to make progress on E15 ethanol blends, deals with new international trading partners, and federal financial assistance for farmers.

Our ability to produce American corn is outgrowing demand for the crop.   And if growers are going to get some relief from sagging corn prices, our nation’s innovators are going to have to find new uses for the commodity. Fortunately, corn is a versatile crop that can be processed into all manner of plastics, fibers and distillations. And with this year’s Consider Corn Challenge, the NCGA shined a spotlight on some of these innovations, while also incentivizing new research. So in this episode, we meet Curtis Firestone, the co-founder and CEO of Aerterra, an air filter manufacturer that sources its household and commercial products from the corn that we grow in our fields. The filters are eco-friendly, and can be used interchangeably with the petroleum-based versions that are standard in homes and businesses. We’ll be joined as well by Chad Epler, a farmer from southeast Kansas who serves as the chair of the NCGA action team dedicated research and new uses for corn. Together, we’ll discuss how the Consider Corn challenge is a game changer for innovators, how it’s moving the needle on corn demand, and what other future uses we’re pioneering.

“Make America Healthy Again” might sound like something we can all get on board with. But the MAHA Commission convened by President Trump and headed by HHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has set its sights on some odd targets… …including two mission-critical pesticides for corn farmers, Glyphosate and Atrazine. Without citing scientific evidence, a report from the MAHA Commission seems to blame these safe and effective tools of agriculture for kids’ health problems. This is in spite of decades of EPA, USDA and FDA precedent that have established safe practices and regulations for their use. So in this episode, we hear from two key leaders at NCGA—VP of Public Policy Lesly McNitt and Director of Inputs and Innovation Dr. Becky Langer—about what the organization is doing to protect these important crop treatments. We’ll discuss why most folks don’t understand the importance and safety of pesticides, what the report means for corn growers, and how farmers can protect their access to these tools.

Growers are hoping the recent rollout of a new U.S. trade deal with the United Kingdom is a sign of things to come. The agreement is the first trade pact with a new trading partner since 2012. And amid tariff uncertainty and unsettled markets, the presidential administration is signaling its desire to make trade deals with new countries a top priority. In particular, discussions are ongoing to open up new markets for corn in India and Vietnam, representing a potentially huge boost for the American corn industry. So in this episode of the Cobcast, we’re talking to two top experts on international trade: Andrew Brandt, the Director of Trade Policy at the U.S. Grains Council; and Nancy Martinez, the Director of Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology at the National Corn Growers Association. Together, we’ll answer many of the distinct trade questions on growers’ minds at this moment, like what are some other possible destinations for corn exports? What could potential deals look like with these new countries? And what does it all mean for folks who are just getting a crop in the ground?

It’s tax day, but some of the important policies that are helping your farm maintain profitability are in jeopardy if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is allowed to expire this year. Provisions like the Qualified Business Income Deduction, 100% Bonus Depreciation, and the increased Estate Tax Exemption are critically important to producers across the country. So in this episode, we’re talking with two of NCGA’s foremost experts about how these policies benefit farmers… and what we can do to preserve them. Andy Jobman is a farmer from Gothenburg, Nebraska, and chairs NCGA’s Risk Management Action Team, which has been researching the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the farm gate and building up our case to preserve it. And Wayne Stoskopf is NCGA’s Director of Public Policy, serving as the D.C. staff liaison for all matters involving tax policy. Together, they’ll explain why farmers can’t afford to lose these tax protections, what it means for rural communities, and why it’s critical for growers to contact their legislators about this issue.

Corn growers may have their best opportunity yet to advance legislation that would allow the year-round sale of 15% ethanol fuel blends, also known as E15 or Unleaded 88. Such a move would stoke demand for corn and support growers who are battling stagnant corn prices and spiking input costs. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer and her co-sponsors have reintroduced an E15 bill, which has broad bipartisan support. Nearly 9,000 corn growers and advocates from 47 states even sent a letter to House and Senate leadership this week calling for action on the measure. But the work is not done, and growers nationwide need to rally to the cause in order to make year-round E15 a reality. In this episode of the Cobcast, we’re joined by Sen. Fischer herself to discuss the importance of E15 legislation for corn farmers and the agricultural economy. Along with NCGA CEO Neil Caskey, she spotlights the coalition of support for the bill, the benefits of E15 for consumers and the environment, and the need for better messaging about agriculture's impact. They also touch on the current economic challenges facing farmers, the impact of tariffs, and the legislative progress needed to make E15 a permanent option.

2024 has been a year of ups and downs for US corn growers. But through it all, the one thing you can count on is that members of the NCGA pull together to protect the industry for everyone. And in the past several days, those efforts have paid off to deliver some early Christmas presents for NCGA members. Foremost on that list, the dispute settlement panel convened under the USMCA has ruled that Mexico's proposed GMO corn import ban is not supported by science, and is in clear violation of the trade agreement. And also, the continuing resolution passed by the US Congress to avert a government shutdown contains an extension of the Farm Bill and some much-needed economic assistance for growers. In this special holiday message from NCGA President Ken Hartman, he provides a quick update for growers on these developments, and shares NCGA's holiday wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy new year for all.

After an unprecedented election cycle, we finally know what the American political landscape will look like in the Congressional term ahead. The election results include victories for more than 90 percent of the candidates backed by CornPAC, and have big implications for farmers across the country. So in this episode of the Cobcast, we're going to analyze the takeaways of the Republican sweep of D.C. leadership, the effectiveness of NCGA's political strategy, and the key races that will shape ag policy in the new Congress. We're joined by NCGA’s Vice President of Public Policy Brooke Appleton, and Director of Grassroots and Political Strategy Sadie Knight. And we'll discuss the implications of the new Congressional leadership, President-elect Trump's forthcoming cabinet selections, and pressing agriculture issues, particularly trade policy, that will be at the forefront as we move into 2025. We'll also reflect back on lessons from this election cycle and the importance of rural votes in shaping the political landscape.

Caught between rising costs and stagnant corn prices, growers are feeling the pinch. So, as the National Corn Growers Association transitions from the leadership of one member-President to another, its leadership and staff are focused on growing demand for corn in both the short- and long-term horizons. In this episode, we meet newly-minted President Ken Hartman, Jr., a grower from southern Illinois who is taking the reins as NCGA's top leader. And we also meet his predecessor, former President Harold Wolle from south-central Minnesota, who's stepping into the role of NCGA chairman. Together, they'll discuss the top priorities for NCGA in the year ahead, how the organization is driving new sources of demand for corn, and why it's more important than ever to be in touch with your representatives in Washington.