On Monday, the Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) hosted the Annual Grassroots Summit allowing ICGA delegates to set the direction for state and federal policy priorities for the coming year. During the Summit, a united group of over 100 farmer delegates voiced their support for the Next Generation Fuels Act, H.R. 5089, legislation to transition gasoline to higher octane ethanol fuel to reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality, increase fuel efficiency, and grow future demand for corn.

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association delegation unanimously voted to fully support the bipartisan Next Generation Fuels Act, which will expand access to the fuel tank for higher blends of corn-based ethanol – a low-carbon octane source that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and human health, and support agriculture’s contribution toward tackling climate change,” stated incoming ICGA President Lance Lillibridge, a farmer from Vinton, Iowa. “ICGA extends its thanks to Congresswoman Cindy Axne, an original co-sponsor of the bill, and we urge the rest of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to follow suit to back this important piece of legislation.”

“It was a great pleasure to attend ICGA’s Annual Grassroots Summit and to have unwavering support from their ICGA farmer membership on the Next Generation Fuels Act. This bill is a significant step toward helping us address important environmental issues while creating a demand for corn that helps Iowa farmers and rural businesses,” said National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett. “The bill recognizes that corn ethanol is an effective, low-carbon octane source, providing the greatest fuel efficiency gains at the least cost to drivers while displacing the most toxic components of gasoline. Given the importance of this legislation to Iowans, we hope the state’s congressional delegation will demonstrate full support by cosponsoring the bill.”

Additionally, the farmer delegates reviewed expiring policies and debated new policy resolutions. This ICGA policy process includes a member-wide survey in the spring, local roundtable discussions held in the summer, and the Annual Grassroots Summit in late August. Policies related to national issues will be brought forward at the Commodity Classic meetings with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) farmer delegates.