Missouri Corn Growers Association Makes Historic Endorsement

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)–The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA), a membership-based organization representing corn farmers across the state, today announced its endorsement of Gov. Jay Nixon for re-election. This marks the first time MCGA has made a gubernatorial endorsement.

“We’ve never thrown our support behind a governor, but Gov. Nixon has gone the extra mile to support Missouri’s farm families,” said MCGA President Billy Thiel. “Gov. Nixon has been a strong and consistent promoter of Missouri agriculture through his help in expanding markets globally, supporting farmer-owned ethanol cooperatives and standing up against out-of-touch federal regulations trying to limit our children’s involvement in family farms. We are confident he will do what’s best for Missouri farmers so we can do what we do best: feed and fuel the world.”

Gov. Nixon received MCGA’s endorsement by a unanimous vote of the organization’s board of directors, a governing body comprised of 14 corn farmers from across the state. His longstanding support of Missouri corn growers and the state’s farmer owned-ethanol industry has also garnered several past awards including: Friend of Corn Growers Award in 2011; Public Servant Award in 2010; and the President’s Award in 2008.

Since being elected, Gov. Nixon has worked with farmers to expand markets for Missouri agriculture products, opposed the State Tax Commission’s proposals to increases taxes on Missouri farmland, put pressure on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make flood control the top priority when managing the Missouri River and supported Missouri’s ethanol industry by fully funding the Missouri Qualified Fuel Ethanol Producer Incentive Fund. It is estimated Missouri’s corn and ethanol industries add $5.4 billion in economic output and generate 67,535 jobs for the state.

The Missouri Corn Growers Association was formed in 1978 to advance policies that will help protect the rights of over 2,000 farmer-members, build new markets for corn and increase opportunities through partnerships within agriculture and beyond. To learn more, visit www.mocorn.org.