Missouri Corn Growers Champion Congressman Sam Graves

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)–The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA), a membership-based organization representing corn farmers across the state, today announced their endorsement of Sam Graves (MO-06) for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“As one of the few farmers left in Washington, Congressman Graves is a vital voice for Missouri agriculture,” said MCGA President Billy Thiel, a corn grower from Malta Bend, Mo. “He works hard to ensure policies are in place to grow our industry, whether it is through the support of biofuels, promoting trade or standing against erroneous regulations. Graves is a true friend of corn growers and we look forward to working with him in the future.”

U.S. Rep. Graves received MCGA’s endorsement by a vote of the organization’s board of directors, a governing body comprised of 14 corn farmers from across the state. A longtime friend to Missouri agriculture and the state’s corn growers, Graves has been recognized by MCGA through the Friend of Corn Growers Award in 2004 and Public Servant Award in 2007 and 2009.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy in north Missouri, and I intend to provide it a strong voice in Washington,” said Graves. “I will continue to fight for our farmers and ranchers, so they can continue to provide the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.”

Graves, a sixth-generation family farmer and sixth-term congressman, represents northwest and north-central Missouri. In Congress, he serves as chairman of the Small Business Committee and as a member of the Transportation Committee. Over the last year, Graves has strongly supported Missouri corn farmers, pushing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore flood control as the top priority on the Missouri River by sponsoring and co-sponsoring correlating legislation.

The Missouri Corn Growers Association was formed in 1978 to advance policies that will help protect the rights of over 2,200 farmer-members, build new markets for corn and increase opportunities through partnerships within agriculture and beyond. To learn more, visit www.mocorn.org.