The Harrison County Corn Growers Association last week hosted Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on the farm of Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Director Curt Mether for a discussion on policy issues affecting corn farmers. This visit was part of the Governor’s 99 Iowa County Tour where he met with 11 farmers. The group chatted about the need for Iowa to pass legislation to set consistent funding for our state’s water quality efforts, support for Section 179 coupling in 2017 and the signing of the biochemical tax credit.

Governor Branstad (front center) and ICGA Director Curt Mether (front right) as well as members of the Harrison County Corn Growers.

Mether, a farmer from Logan, said “We appreciate the Governor taking the time to hear our views on a number of policy issues. We appreciate the legislators and his work on water quality funding legislation even though no additional funding was passed. The Iowa Corn Growers Association remains committed to seeking significant, long-term funding for improving water quality in the state of Iowa. We are hopeful the state legislature can come to a consensus this coming session.”

The next step in the policy development process is the ongoing ICGA membership survey and round table meetings, which will be held across the state in early July. These meetings allow ICGA members to gather together and discuss policy directions for the upcoming year. To see ICGA’s full list of state and federal priorities, please visit iowacorn.org/policy.