Archie Grower Participates In Missouri Corn Leadership Academy

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)–Patrick Anderson of Archie, Mo., joined a select group of nine farmers in Jefferson City Dec. 14-15 as part of the inaugural class of the Missouri CornRoots Leadership Academy sponsored by the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC).

Designed to identify future grower-leaders and provide tools to organize grassroots involvement, the first CornRoots session kicked off Wednesday with growers from across the state.  Throughout the program, Anderson took part in sessions focused on the value of grassroots, effective leadership, public speaking, policy involvement and media training.  The class also visited the State Capitol to gain a better understanding of the policy process and how to effectively communicate with urban and rural legislators. 

“This program will allow me to gain a better understanding of the legislative process and how to effectively represent my industry,” said Anderson.  “As farmers we need to make sure our views are heard.  Often we just expect legislators to get the job done. But if they aren’t hearing from us, they are likely hearing from other groups who may not have agriculture’s best interests in mind.”

To complete the leadership academy, the group will take part in a second CornRoots session where they will meet with the Missouri Corn board of directors, visit with legislators at the State Capitol and join other growers for MCGA’s annual meeting Jan. 31 in Jefferson City.

Anderson was nominated to the CornRoots program by members of the Missouri Corn board.  He grows corn, soybeans and wheat on a family farm in Bates and Cass Counties and serves on the Farm Bureau Farm Political Action Committee.

To learn more about Missouri’s corn industry and the farmers involved, visit www.mocorn.org or call (800) 827-4181.