News

New NCGA president focused on trade opportunities

The new president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the organization is focused on several key trade opportunities.

Kenneth Hartman, Jr., a fifth-generation farmer from southern Illinois, tells Brownfield…

“We definitely need to work on trade agreements.”  He says, “I know USMCA has been a great agreement. You know, right now our number one purchaser of corn is Mexico. You know we need more trade agreements that support selling corn overseas.”

He says there’s tremendous potential for ethanol exports.

“I think we could get some agreements done with some of the Asian countries.”  He says, “I had a visitor last year from India. The fellow that was here said we’re just trying to figure out if we need to buy corn from you, or ethanol from you.  Both of them would be positive for the car and industry.”

In addition to seeking more trade agreements, Hartman says the group is also lobbying Congress to expand foreign access and market development programs in the next farm bill.

AUDIO: Kenneth Hartman, Jr. – NCGA