2012 CornVention
The 2012 CornVention is scheduled for February 22, 2012 at the Fargo Holiday Inn. We are thrilled to offer our growers a full day of informational speakers, panel discussions and time to visit with many corporate sponsors and trade show vendors. To view the full agenda, please click here.
Speakers confirmed for this year's event include Gregory Gust with the National Weather Service, representatives from AgVentures, Mike Krueger, Jay Lehr, several state and local leaders participating on a tiling panel and Bart Schott, NCGA Chairman, just to name a few.
The evening of February 21st, we will be hosting with the ND Soybean Growers a social and networking opportunity at Fargo Billiards and GastroPub in south Fargo. This event will run from 6-9 PM with some good food and beverages provided. Transportation to and from the Fargo Holiday Inn will be provided. We will begin the next morning, February 22nd, with our first speaker at 8:20AM.
If you have any questions on the conference, do not hesitate to contact our office at 701-364-2250. We look forward to your attendance at this educational event. Not a member - we welcome you to attend and become a member during the event. There is no fee to attend.
USDA Announces Sign-up for Direct and Counter Cyclical Programs
Sign up for Farm Service Agency's Direct and Counter Cyclical program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program during the 2012 crop year begins on January 23. Signup for both programs will continue through June 1, 2012.
To be directed to the USDA's webpage for additional information click here.
2012 Farm Bill:
Issues and Challenges
The North Dakota Corn Growers Association was a sponsor of the 2012 Farm Bill: Issues and Challenges conference held this past week at the Fargo Holiday Inn. ND Corn Growers President 
Darin Anderson took part in the panel discussion entitled, "Formulating the 2012 Farm Bill: Issues and Challenges".
Along with Darin's participation, ND Corn Council Chairman Kevin Skunes was the moderator of the panel, "Emerging Issues in U.S. Agriculture".
National Corn Growers President Garry Niemeyer joined the conference as a guest on the panel that focused on "Fundamentals of the New Farm Bill: Views from the Agricultural Community".
The corn growers in our area and throughout the country were well represented and heard during this importance conference. Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear directly from U.S. Senators Conrad, Hoeven and Klobuchar along with U.S. Congressman Berg as they participated in the event and served on a panel.
Big Iron in Review
Here are just a few of the many highlights of North Dakota Corn Growers' participation in 2011 Big Iron. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Big Iron Contest Winner
Congratulations to Aaron Seykora from Lisbon, ND on having the closest guess in our corn kernel contest at 2011 Big Iron. Aaron guessed there were 2,780 kernels in the jar. The actual count was 2,878. He only missed the actual by 98! Way to go, Aaron!
A big thanks to all who stopped by our booths and gathered some of our great information on ethanol and other corn related fact books.
Summer Festivities
Here are just a few pictures from our latest two events, Corn Classic and F-M Redhawk's Field of Dreams night. If you participated, we hope you enjoyed. If you weren't able to make either, we hope you try to do so next summer!
Prevent Plant Information
NCGA provided our office with a prevent plant article written by Dr. Art Barnaby, Jr. from Kansas State University. His article provides great information in regard to this timely issue for many of our growers. Click here to read this article.
Members Offered Access to NASCAR Web Portal
NCGA recently announced an exciting new benefit of the relationship with NASCAR. The web portal offers members the opportunity to take advantage of great discounts and specials. Click here for complete information.
Flex Fuel Vehicle Listing
Click HERE for a current listing of flex fuel vehicles.
Blender Pump Program Continues into 2011
For retailers deciding if they want to install blender pumps under the current program, the deadline is fast approaching. Do not miss out on the opportunity to be included in the growing number of retailers with blended fuel as an option at your station.
There are currently close to 150 pump applications that have been submitted to the ND Department of Commerce Department. However, there is still room for that number to grow!
The North Dakota Corn Council is offering a $2,500 per pump matching grant in addition to the state grant of $5,000. Guidelines for the state grant can be found at www.blenderpumps.nd.gov
Once retailers qualify through the North Dakota Department of Commerce, they are eligible for the $2,500 per pump Corn Council matching grant.
North Dakota Department of Commerce Biofuel Blender Pump Program Grant
$5,000 per pump
North Dakota Corn Council Ethanol Blender Pump Matching Grant
$2,500 per pump
For petroleum marketers - This link to the American Coalition of Ethanol is a helpful guide to blending economics, conversion procedures, storage and dispensing, rack prices, technical data, fuel taxes, tax credits and blender pumps.
Blending Better Solutions - This link is a helpful guide to petroleum marketers who are looking at mid-level blender pumps.
Blender Pump Retailers - To assist you with obtaining the necessary labels for blender pumps installed, this link will guide you to a source or contact our office and we can mail them direct to you.
