Innovation Grant Program
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) launched the fifth year of the Innovation Grant Program, investing in five farmer-led research projects and four led by University of Minnesota researchers. This year’s projects focus on improved soil health, nutrient management and water quality protection.
To date, the program has invested nearly $700,000 in 37 original projects identifying practical innovations that can be replicated by Minnesota farmers.
The first three-year Innovation Grant projects are also nearing completion in 2020:
E85 in electrified vehicles
Will Northrop, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s department of mechanical engineering, is leading a MCGA-supported research project using E85 in an internal combustion engine that charges the battery, acting as a range extender for electrified vehicles. The project could carve out a role for higher blends of ethanol in future electric vehicles with environmental benefits for all.
Learn more about the project in the “Expanding Role of Corn” e-book.
Center for Sustainable Polymers
MCGA continues to support the Center for Sustainable Polymers and its efforts to increase the applications of corn-based plastics. For example, Polyactic Acid (PLA) plastics made from renewable sources like corn are found in cafeteria cutlery, packaging and more. By expanding the use of PLA plastics, the plastics industry would be less reliant on petroleum, currently a major feedstock in production, and open a major market for corn farmers.
Learn more about the project in the “Expanding Role of Corn” e-book.
Raising the state’s biofuel standard
The top priority of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) entering the 2020 legislative session was raising the state’s biofuel standard from 10 to 15 percent. A bill raising the standard passed out of agricultural committees in both the House and Senate before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic stopped its momentum.
While the legislation stalled in 2020 due to unrelated circumstances, the progress made to date brought to the surface concerns and opposition from stakeholders. This information will prove pivotal as MCGA plans outreach for the rest of the year and prepares responses for next year’s legislative session.
Section 179 conformity
Section 179 conformity was another top priority for MCGA during the session. Both the House DFL and Senate GOP have agreed upon language of a tax bill, but have failed to bring the bill to a vote in two separate special sessions. With the possibility of a third special session, MCGA has worked with other agricultural groups to press for state conformity of Section 179.
Protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard
In January a Tenth Circuit court decision on the “small refinery exemption” program found waivers were improperly granted in 2016 and 2017. The decision applied broadly would mean the majority of exemptions requested would not be granted. With that, oil refiners are attempting to skirt the court’s decision by submitting more than 50 “gap year” exemptions, which would remove an additional 2 billion biofuel gallons from the nation’s fuel supply.
MCGA has been working with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and biofuel industry partners to elevate this issue with policy makers, who have publicly spoken out against this latest round of waivers. Protecting the RFS will continue to be a major focus for MCGA.
Trade
MCGA pushed for a number of vital trade deals in the last year. First, ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA was an important advocacy victory for the state’s corn farmers. USMCA officially went into effect July 1. The Phase 1 Agreement with China was another important trade victory. MCGA works with NCGA and the U.S. Grains Council to ensure each trade deal continues to work for farmers.
Better Fuel Initiative
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) launched the Better Fuel Initiative at MN Ag EXPO in January as a multi-faceted effort to build a future of better transportation fuels.
With more drivers choosing cleaner-burning fuels at the pump, the initiative supports raising the state’s biofuel standard from 10 to 15 percent. A bill raising the standard passed out of committees in the Minnesota House and Senate before stalling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be a top priority for MCGA at next year’s legislative session.
Also advancing the effort to raise the state’s biofuel standard, Gov. Tim Walz established the Governor’s Council on Biofuels with the goal to replace 30-percent of petroleum with biofuels. The council was established at the farm of MCGA chairman Brian Thalmann, who was also named to the Council representing the state’s corn farmers.
The Council formally adopted the vision statement to make E15 the base fuel in Minnesota during a June meeting. Working under that goal, the group will recommend the adoption of policies and programs that foster robust development of biofuels in Minnesota, including an investment in infrastructure that supports mid-level ethanol blends.
Marketing the benefits of ethanol-blended fuels
In addition to supporting policy and infrastructure investment, the Better Fuel Initiative raises awareness of the benefits of biofuels with consumers.
Marketing efforts launched in March with advertising on the radio, online and outdoors across the state to promote the cleaner burning and higher octane benefits of ethanol-blended fuels.
Radio messages were played on more than 10 stations in the Twin Cities alone, reaching millions of listeners interested in a lower-priced option at the pump with clean air benefits. Nearly 30 Metro Transit buses, the Green Line light rail and digital billboards across the Metro also feature ethanol-themed graphics promoting the benefits of higher ethanol blends.
These marketing efforts stretch to Greater Minnesota as well, connecting with consumers via targeted radio, traditional billboards and digital billboards. Additional online advertising will also continue to reach those Minnesotans statewide who, according to consumer research, would be most likely to switch to higher blends of ethanol fuel.
CommonGround connects with metro moms
With support from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), CommonGround Minnesota brings together farm women who volunteer their time to connect with metro moms for conversation about food and farming. The organization recently partnered with MyTalk 107, the top radio station among women in the Twin Cities. In addition to advertisements and interview opportunities on MyTalk 107, CommonGround will be featured as a resource for metro listeners to learn about modern agriculture.
CommonGround Minnesota also partnered with TC Mom Collective to reach its expansive audience of urban and suburban women. Most recently, the blog network has been sharing information about CommonGround with its Instagram and Facebook followers, which together exceed 60,000 people.
The group also launched a new website in July featuring a blog sharing topics from modern agriculture that would be of interest to the non-farming public, a Q&A addressing common topics consumers have about their food, videos that introduce CommonGround volunteers and more.
Visit the new website at CommonGroundMinnesota.com, and follow CommonGround on Instagram and Facebook.
MCGA podcasts highlights corn farmer-supported research
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association Podcast highlights research supported through corn farmers’ investment in the check-off. Produced in partnership with Brownfield Ag News, each episode features researchers discussing projects that identify new uses for corn and improve on-farm practices.
You can subscribe to the podcast at info.mncorn.org/podcast and have each episode delivered to your inbox as it is released. You can also find the podcast on Spotify and iTunes.
Sports partnerships continue
MCGA continues to highlight corn farmers’ commitment to conservation at metro sporting events.
While COVID-19 has interrupted the 2020 season, the St. Paul Saints continue to hold fun corn-themed promotions at games. The Minnesota Corn “Moment of Zen” treats fans to relaxing visuals from the corn field and music as a break from the nonstop action that occurs at Saints games. The “Aww-Shucks” moment of the game also returns with MCGA donating $100 to the University of Minnesota Bee Lab for each error committed to be used for pollinator research and education. Also, foul poles at CHS Field will again feature the “Minnesota Corn” theme.
Corn farmers were again center stage at University of Minnesota sporting events over the last year. Promotions at women’s basketball games highlighted corn farmers through a title night and promotions throughout the year. Ag & Food Day was also held during the Gopher football and basketball seasons, highlighting Minnesota’s ag sector.
As a thank you for visiting our virtual booth, we are offering the chance at a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Fill out the form below, and we will notify you if you won Monday, Aug. 10.
MCGA is a proud supporter of WCCO’s ‘Ag is Everywhere Week’. Each of the below events will air on WCCO Radio, which you can stream live here. For more details on ‘Ag is Everywhere Week’ click here
Sunday, August 2
Monday, August 3
Tuesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 5
Sunday, August 9
MCGA is a proud sponsor of Farmfest Virtual 2020! From candidate forums to updates on trade and more, don’t miss these free online events. View the full schedule of virtual, webinar-style Farmfest events and learn how to participate here.