If you grow corn, the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) is YOUR trade organization.
As our slogan says, “For the Future of Farming,” we are fighting for not only your farming rights but for the rights of future generations to stay on the farm, helping keep a safe, reliable and bountiful food and feed supply from Ohio farms.
OCGA has set out on another statewide tour of newspapers to talk with reporters and editorial board staffs. Our attempts to give proper information to the media have succeeded on many levels but we recognize that we have to stay in the public eye to keep misinformation on food prices and environmental impact at bay.
There are still a number of federal issues that we are keeping an eye on. The EPA and Congress continue to negotiate issues that can affect farming.
OCGA, along with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has expressed concerns to Ohio lawmakers concerning a second Renewable Fuels Standard, known as the RFS 2. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the EPA is responsible for revising and implementing regulations to ensure that gasoline sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The Renewable Fuel Standard program will increase the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into gasoline from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022. The new RFS program regulations are being developed in collaboration with refiners, renewable fuel producers, and many other stakeholders.
OCGA, along with other state corn organizations and ethanol trade associations are in support of increasing the allowable blend level to allow more corn ethanol in the fuel supply.
Most of the gasoline purchased today contains a 10 percent blend of corn ethanol; studies have supported allowing higher blends into non Flex Fuel engines. Numbers from the USDA consistently show a carryover of billions of bushels of corn each year--proof enough that farmers, with modern technology, are not “starving” the masses.
In addition climate legislation is still on the forefront in Congress. OCGA is working with NCGA by remaining at the table during the drafting of such legislation. OCGA Board Member and past NCGA President Fred Yoder has joined prominent figures, including U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, in testifying before Congress to ensure agriculture has a voice.
Thank you for your membership to OCGA and thank you for your much needed support in the fight for farms in Ohio.
Sincerely,
John Davis
President, Ohio Corn Growers Association
