Colorado Corn Growers Assn. Set Priorities for 2019

The rural economic outlook paints a less than sunny picture as we head into 2019. On the heels of multiple years of drought and hail, low commodity prices, and trade uncertainty, farmers in Colorado are predicted to have the lowest net farm income levels in twenty years.

Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA) — the membership side of Colorado Corn — is well aware of the strife farmers are facing. CCGA made numerous attempts to get improved safety net and/or disaster assistance included in the 2018 Farm Bill to no avail. Unwilling to give up, the board and Public Policy Committee set forth their priorities for 2019, with farm and/or disaster assistance as their top priority.

Efforts by CCGA are already underway to find both immediate and long-term solutions to the economic conditions across agriculture and rural America. By working with other organizations like Southwest Council of Agribusiness (SWCA) CCGA board members are optimistic they can find assistance for those impacted by weather situations and a better, more sustained financial outcome for farmers can be achieved long-term.

Part of their strategy also involves social media posts (#FarmersRSeeking Solutions), which are intended to let farmers know CCGA is aware of the economic stress and is working on solutions. The social outreach will also bring about awareness of the economic challenges to lawmakers and the media.

Important Reminder: Regardless of what you grow, be it silage, grain corn or both, you and your neighbors have a right to be represented on state, regional and national issues. This is the primary purpose of CCGA. Checkoff dollars are managed by the Administrative Committee, and are prohibited from being used for any lobbying activity.