AUDIO: Mark Recker, ICGA president
A farmer-led organization begins to advocate for it?s top legislative priorities. Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) farmer-members pushed key priorities, established at their annual meeting, Tuesday during ?Iowa Corn on the Hill.?
Mark Recker is Iowa Corn Growers Association president. Recker says ICGA farmer-members will primarily focus on establishing long-term, dedicated water quality funding during the 2018 legislative session.
?We?re focusing primarily on water quality and getting a bill that would provide a consistent source of water quality funding, so we can work toward improving practices on farms and research that will lead to efforts to better water quality,? Recker said.
ICGA farmer-members asks for long-term, dedicated funding for water quality efforts. Recker says long-term funding would allow for widespread practices, as well as additional research.
?We?re working to improve structures and practices on our farms. As an organization, we are putting our attention on that – informing our farmers what things they can do on their farms to improve water quality and following up with the research to not only make it better for farmers, but for everybody in Iowa,? Recker said.
Farmer-members also plan to discuss ethanol infrastructure. Recker says farmer-members ask for an improved and increased ethanol infrastructure, so they can deliver more higher blends to consumers.
?Specifically, there?s a renewable fuels infrastructure fund that has been around for many years,? Recker said. ?We always like to see that funded because it is cost-share dollars that retailers can take advantage of to put high blends, pumps and other infrastructure in their locations. (It?s) important to us because as we continue to grow more corn, we need more avenues to use corn, and ethanol has been very important to us. Continuing to increase blends of ethanol is the best way we see to utilize that corn (moving) forward.?
Lastly, ICGA farmer-members push for state tax reform.
?We?re going to talk about the potential for tax reform at the state level, and make sure it?s a good deal for Iowa?s corn farmers,? Recker said. ?Along with that, trying to get Section 179 – where farmers can expense equipment they?ve purchased – in the mix.?
Recker encourages farmer-members to become involved in the legislative process. He suggests members do so by contacting their state legislator and telling him,or her what they need to make their farming operation successful.
ICGA farmer-members will convene again in March to speak with legislators.
