Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to Missouri Corn Talk, your Go to weekly agriculture podcast delivering fast, reliable updates on market development efforts, ethanol demand and the issues shaping today's corn industry. I'm your host David Geiger. This week we're talking about the importance of grower engagement and why having farmers involved at every level matters more than ever. From meeting with lawmakers during the corn in the capital to developing future agricultural leaders through the Corn Roots Leadership Program, Missouri Corn continues to work on giving growers a stronger voice on issues impacting demand and the right to farm. Joining us now is Katie Marshall, Director of Grower Engagement with the Missouri Corn Growers Association. We will also talk about some of the simple ways farmers can stay connected this summer with Katy, including Missouri Corns golf events happening around the state.
Katie, thank you so much for your time. Today let's talk about the legislative session Missouri wrap that up. It's a good reminder of some of the relationships involved including the corn at the Capitol event and getting growers connected to lawmakers to tell us about the legislative session and the wrap up and what you guys are looking forward to this year for sure.
[00:01:05] Speaker B: And thank you for having me. As you stated last week wrapped up legislative session and honestly one of the things that I find most important throughout the session is getting our growers and members in front of legislators. As many as possible will come to Jefferson City. That is the best way for our growers to talk about the things that they do on a regular basis. I just heard today a legislator talk about how important it is to hear firsthand from the farmers themselves and to hear their story and what's impacting them and how they, the Senate and the House can help them alleviate some of those issues. So while your staff and your policy team can certainly share that message, you know it can only go so far. And so our corn in the capital is to help bridge that gap. You certainly don't have to be an expert, you certainly don't have to know all the answers, but just being able to walk the halls and see how the bills come to be, but also having a stake in what's happening on your farm and being able to have those conversations. So about every other week we bring in growers from all areas of the state to talk with their local legislators, but also some of them are Ag Committee members and some of the key stakeholders and making sure that those bills and those priorities move forward. So next year when we start up legislative session again in January, I just encourage people to come to Jefferson City and meet a staff that will take you over to the Capitol. So it's a great program just to be able to tell their message.
[00:02:41] Speaker A: That connection between growers and legislators are certainly important. But another issue, important connection that's made through many of these programs is the corn roots leadership program that helps build that next generation. Getting younger folk involved with the farm legislation and all the hands on experience that that involves. Tell us about that program.
[00:03:03] Speaker B: So I think this is one of the coolest programs that we do here at Missouri Corn is our corn roots leadership program. So we are currently in our 15th class. It's a year long class that has three different sessions. And you know, we start very element entry in session one and just talking about how we as young leaders can share their story in an effective way. And, and we recognize that not everyone communicates the same way. Some would rather do it face to face, some would rather have their story told online through social platforms. But everybody has a story and we just equip them with how they can best talk about the things that are important to them. And so this program is designed for roughly 25 to 40 year olds. It varies depending on the class and we have anywhere from five to 10 participants in each class so that the classmates get to know each other but feel very comfortable sharing and brainstorming and coming up with ideas. And so between the first and second session, we're here in Jeff City and we talk about how to talk to legislators. And then we go put that into action and we go to the Capitol and meet with our legislators. And then in July we go to Washington D.C. and we do the same thing, but on a national level. Many of the issues that corn growers deals with is both state and federal.
So we want our, our young leaders who are going to, you know, go back and be the movers and shakers within their communities and on various different leadership boards to be able to carry that message about what we're doing with Missouri Corn to all those different aspects that they go on and do within their life and things that they're involved in.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: Whether it's meeting at the Capitol, helping connect growers to legislators, or this corn roots program getting younger people involved. All of that involves advocacy. And that is a big part of what corn growers do the association is here for. Because building relationships, connecting to different people, and yes, traveling as well makes a big impact on the community and the country as a whole. Can you go more broadly into advocacy and why you view it as important?
[00:05:15] Speaker B: Absolutely. And like you said, it's just, this is actually a global topic that we that we try to combat here within Missouri corn. Because sometimes it's taking that message to buyers and purchasers of other countries that might have an impact on our farmers, bottom line. And so if our growers, and especially learning that and developing those skills when you've come right back to the farm, or just when you're involved in agribusiness as a younger individual, learning how to one, tell your story, but also build those relationships within people, within your community, but also on a state, federal, and then global connection, really can have a lasting impact for our growers. And so we've really seen some of our past participants, you know, take the bull by the horn for sorts and say, you know, I'm gonna. I'm gonna make a difference. And we've seen them host trade teams. We've seen them go to Washington, D.C. and testify. We've seen them in the state capitol to testify. And. And essentially they're important to us. And we recognize while we may be young, we still have a story to tell and how much of an impact that can make. So that's part of what the corn roots leadership, you know, just empowering and equipping them. And some of them have become board members and gone on to do many great things on other boards. And so it's just advocacy is a huge part of what we do here. But we like to start that process, you know, with our young leaders program specifically.
[00:06:41] Speaker A: I know planting still in full swing. There's tons of stuff still left to do. But thinking a little bit ahead, we have summer on the way, and that means golf is on the way. Some of those events will be here soon. Can you tell me about those events and how to get involved?
[00:06:57] Speaker B: So the last week or so, our weather started to. To get a little nicer. So our thoughts are starting to turn to our summer events, as you indicated. So our summer is really busy, really just networking with our growers and agribusiness partners. So we do golf tournaments around the state as just kind of a fun way to have conversations, whether that be policy, legislative issues, or just things that are affecting our growers. And those conversations are happening all the time, but specifically on our golf course. So we do these golf tournaments as an education, as an awareness. We celebrate some of the successes of the association and the merchandising council throughout the year.
We love for growers and just folks in general to come out to our golf tournaments so they can connect with our staff. We have board members that come out and just have a relaxed setting to have good conversation.
[00:07:52] Speaker A: Let's take in all of the points that we've been talking about today and go over why all that is needed. And that is partly because you want to be engaged with people and that means having people engaged with you. How do you Want to see 2026 when you look at more folks being involved with Missouri corn and the topics that are so important to Missouri corn farmers, like biofuel or trade or fertilizer
[00:08:20] Speaker B: prices, Everything we've talked about today, and you laid that out very well, that we do this better, the stronger our voice is. And that does include the more that we have involved on a daily basis, the better priorities, the better voice that we have, the louder voice. And so like I mentioned earlier, whether we're fighting issues here in Jefferson City or in Washington, D.C. a wide range of issues that we're trying to tackle. And so, you know, you mentioned biofuels, fertilizer prices is a huge thing on our mind right now, protecting the next generation. So we need everyone involved and all hands on deck. And essentially we are as only as strong as those that want to be involved. And so we really encourage people to come out to events, call our office, get involved, stop by our offices if you're in Jefferson City, but most importantly, just find a way to get your message to us or if we're in your community, come out and not just support, but let your voices be heard about what you'd like to see. There's nothing greater for me than when I get a call from a grower who has a question that they may not know the answer but that we can help either point them in the right direction or help ease their mind that yes, we're working on their behalf. So appreciate all the opportunity that we get to connect with our farmers.
[00:09:38] Speaker A: Katie, is there anything we didn't touch on that you wanted to make sure folks know about?
[00:09:42] Speaker B: I would just encourage you to go to our website, mocorn.org that is where we have always our updated list of events. You can also find those on our social pages. But that's a great way for you to just kind of find out what's going on in your community. Only one of our golf tournaments is currently sold out, so if that's something that's interesting to you, I encourage you to sign up online.
[00:10:04] Speaker A: Katie Marshall is with the Missouri Corn Growers association here with us today. Thank you so much for your time, Katie.
[00:10:09] Speaker B: Thank you again.
[00:10:11] Speaker A: Katie was talking about the value of grower engagement and the importance of building relationships both inside and outside the Capitol, no matter the level of engagement. Every opportunity helps strengthen the voice of corn growers here in Missouri and beyond. That's it for this week's Missouri Corn Talk. This podcast is made possible by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. To learn more about the work being done on behalf of Missouri corn farmers, visit mocorn. Org. I'm David Geiger. Thanks for listening.
