Exciting times to be an intern in Washington, D.C.!

By Kyle McGinn, NCGA-DC Intern 

Greetings! My name is Kyle McGinn, and this is my first blog entry. I am a native Nebraskan and a student at the University of Nebraska College of Law. With the gracious support of the Nebraska Corn Board, I have the pleasure of serving as the summer intern in the Washington D.C. office of the National Corn Growers Association. The NCGA D.C. office is a tight-knit team, who supplement the efforts of the NCGA Headquarters Office in St. Louis, Missouri, to protect corn producers.

I have been fortunate to join the office during an exciting period. Both houses of the U.S. Congress are presently working towards the passage of a new Farm Bill. Indeed, the U.S. Senate just passed their version of the Farm Bill earlier this week, and the House should begin consideration of their version shortly. The NCGA staff has worked vigorously, to ensure that the new Farm Bill reflects the best interests of our nation’s 400,000 corn farms, and the 23,000 Nebraska corn producers.

A major component of the work of the NCGA D.C. office is monitoring legislation and hearings which may have an effect on corn production. To this regard, I have had the pleasure of accompanying NCGA staff to several Congressional hearings over the course of the past few weeks, including a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements Hearing regarding bio-fuels, and examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Role in implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee regarding the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, and a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding international food aid. I also had the distinct pleasure of accompanying the NCGA staff to a luncheon keynoted by the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack of Iowa. Mr. Vilsack spoke of the importance of responding to climate change, and the resulting pressures on agricultural producers. He introduced new USDA led efforts to combat the negative effects of climate change, including new regional research hubs. Additionally, USDA is working to reduce food waste, which piles up at landfills and emits heat-trapping methane gas. Vilsack also said USDA is focusing on new land conservation efforts and encouraging farmers to make renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Lastly, I have also been assisting the staff by researching various topics, including Farm Bill Amendments, free trade agreements (including the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and the use of GMOs on National Wildlife Refuges, amongst other issues.

The NCGA D.C. Office is located nearby busy Union Station, which is a transportation hub in Washington. Commuters and travelers alike use Union Station to access the Metro (the local subway), trains, and busses. I myself have used Union Station frequently to navigate the city. Just a few days ago, the NCGA and other partners of the Corn Farmers Coalition began an impressive advertising campaign in Union Station, highlighting the achievements of U.S. corn producers in boosting yield while simultaneously decreasing inputs and promoting sustainable practices. Union Station is one of two Metro stations used most frequently by Congressional members, staff, and other policymakers. Several friends and colleagues have remarked to me on the posters, so they have certainly captured the attention of local travelers and residents. I encourage you to review the pictures of the advertising campaign, which are featured in a June 6, 2013 post on this blog.

On a personal note, I have greatly enjoyed my few short weeks in Washington. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a Washington Nationals baseball game, versus the local rival the Baltimore Orioles. I have also had the pleasure of bicycling to visit the various monuments, and playing softball on the National Mall. Thanks for reading, and my sincere thanks to the Nebraska Corn Board for your support.