The new president of the National Corn Growers Association is dedicated to working hard for corn farmers.
Ohio farmer John Linder began his term as NCGA president last month succeeding Minden farmer Kevin Ross, who is now NCGA Chairman. In an interview as part of NAFB?s Trade Talk program, Linder told the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network he?s focusing on all of the issues that impact corn farmers throughout the US.
?It?s such an honor to be the president of the National Corn Growers Association representing 300,000 corn farmers and 40,000 members,? Linder said. ?For me, this is really a critical year. The year 2020 has been rough and NCGA is focused on recovery. I have a theme and that is to leave no stone unturned. I will do everything in my power to help this industry recover and grow.?
Whether it be ethanol, trade, or sustainability, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many issues for corn farmers, according to Linder.
?The COVID pandemic has certainly inflicted a great deal of decline to our marketplace,? Linder said. ?Certainly, the trade with China of Phase One has been such a pleasant surprise to get a boost in our market at a time when we typically don?t see it. It was a very nice Thanksgiving gift and hope it carries on past Christmas and that gift keeps giving on into 2021. That remains to be seen. There?s plenty of other issues facing us and that stability is not guaranteed at this point yet.?
Linder previously served as the Corn Board liaison to the Market Access Action Team, on the Resolutions Committee and chaired the Finance and Engaging Members Committees. Additionally, he represented NCGA at the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research and the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center.
Linder, along with his brother, Mike, and wife, Cheryl, run a fifth-generation farm raising corn, soybeans, soft red winter wheat and soybeans for seed in central Ohio.
