Corn Farmers Coalition wraps up third year telling the story of family corn farmers

The Corn Farmers Coalition wrapped up another successful year with an "innovation is growing" reception this week in the U.S. Capitol.

The Corn Farmers Coalition is supported by corn farmers from 14 different states, including Nebraska via the Nebraska Corn Board, along with the National Corn Growers Association. It is designed to provide important messages about corn and the family farmers who grow it to policymakers.

For previous posts on the Corn Farmers Coalition, click here.

The Cantrell family of Merna, Neb., in
one of the Corn Farmers Coalition online ads.

Those attending the reception included Kyle and Gina Cantrell (and kids!) of Merna, Nebraska. The Cantrell family was featured in some of the Corn Farmer Coalition ads that appeared in Washington, D.C.

They also appeared in a video the coalition put together to highlight some of the farmers participating in the campaign. (See the video below.)

Another Nebraska farm family – the Chris and Korene Flaming family of Elsie – appeared on the cover of and the Corn Fact Book.

"The Corn Farmers Coalition exists to tell the story of the revolution going on in modern farming and the significant role family farmers have had in this success," NCGA president Garry Niemeyer told a group gathered at the Capitol Visitors Center. "Corn farmers from across the United States came together through their organizations to found the effort with a simple but clear mission: Tell the story of how American farmers – through innovation, technology and hard work – have become the most productive farmers the world has ever seen."

The Flaming family of Elsie, Neb., on the
cover of the Corn Fact Book.

The positive fact-based messages of the Corn Farmers Coalition are directed at legislators and key staff who participate in the policy dialogue in Washington. The 2011 campaign included "station domination" at Union Station and the Capitol South Metro Station, placing prominent messages in front of many legislative and regulatory staff that use the station in their daily commute.

It also included online and drive-time radio advertising presence over the summer, and the printing and distribution of the Corn Fact Book, which tells farmer stories while stressing the importance of how they are growing more corn sustainably.

Niemeyer, who farms near Auburn, Ill., pointed out that nine of the largest corn crops in history have been grown the last nine years. Even this year, despite major challenges from drought, flooding and even hurricanes, corn growers have continued this trend, he said.

"The generations of knowledge represented by the farmers of this nation are a national treasure and that's an American success story the public needs to hear," Niemeyer said. "The Corn Farmers Coalition helps amplify this message and puts a face on family farmers."