JOHNSTON, IOWA (March 5, 2025) — Iowa Corn farmer-leaders traveled west to Denver, Colorado, this week to serve as delegates at the 2025 Commodity Classic. Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) delegates advocated in support of policies and actions on behalf of Iowa farmer members to implement at the federal level with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).
“The theme for Commodity Classic this year is ‘Elevating Excellence in Agriculture’ and that is exactly what we came together to work towards this week,” said Stu Swanson, ICGA President and farmer from Galt, Iowa. “Our delegates have voiced the needs of ICGA members and presented resolutions that will allow growers to overcome challenges while advocating for maintaining and building corn demand. The decisions made here today will guide our federal legislative efforts going forward.”
The Iowa resolutions passed by the NCGA delegate body include:
- We recognize that companies manufacturing pesticides provide valuable tools that are needed by farmers and support the scientific-based approval of such products for use by farmers; however, we do not support blanket immunity from ongoing or potential lawsuits that may emerge in the future should a product be found to be unsafe such as causing cancer or death.
- We believe the USDA, the Department of Energy, and the Treasury Department should establish an “Office of Ag and Rural Affairs” to support agriculture interests at the Treasury Department.
- Support research and production of biobased renewable corn products such as fuels, textiles, plastics, and chemicals.
The new NCGA policy document will be posted at iowacorn.org/membership/policy-development when it becomes available. For more information on upcoming policy development meetings in your area, contact the Iowa Corn office at (515) 225-9242 or email at corninfo@iowacorn.org.
Larry Buss Inducted into Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame
As a grassroots organization, the most important work starts with boots on the ground, something Larry Buss, farmer from Logan, Iowa, knows well. Buss has been an active Iowa Corn member for over thirteen years and during this time has served as president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, chair of the Grassroots Network Membership and Checkoff Committee, as a delegate and action team member at NCGA and A-team member at the US Grains Council. During his involvement, he has also dedicated countless hours to recruiting new members, recruiting over 928 new ICGA members during this time. This dedication earned him recognition at the 2025 Commodity Classic where he was inducted into the Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame.
“I see recruiting ICGA members as a top responsibility for corn leaders and I have led by example by placing recruiting as a top priority,” said Buss. "I always represent the brand by wearing my Iowa Corn hat and in doing that, people know I believe in the organization’s mission. Some may not know about the opportunities Iowa Corn provides, which is why it’s important to share our stories and ask them to join us.”
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) created the Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame in 2004 to recognize outstanding grower achievement in membership recruitment and retention. Each year, the NCGA identifies potential Hall inductees based on recruitment performance from previous years. To be considered for this award the nominee must be an active member, have been an active recruiter for the past five consecutive years and have recruited over 750 members.
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is a 7,500-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn-grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.
