Chris Cherry elected ICGA president

NEW PALESTINE, Ind. — The Indiana Corn Growers Association elected Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine, as president of the policy organization for 2024.

Other new board officers were elected, including Vice President Tyler Everett, Lebanon; Secretary J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand; and Treasurer Joe Tuholski, LaPorte.

Cherry shared his story with AgriNews.

Q: Tell us about your career and farm.

A: I farm about 2,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat with my brother and uncle. We have another gentleman who farms with us in our operation. I live in New Palestine, but our farm is mostly in the Greenfield area.

I started my career as an ag salesman for a local cooperative. Back around 1997, I left and took over a Pioneer sales business that my dad started. I’ve been selling crop insurance since 2006. I also sell chemicals to farmers.

Q: What do you enjoy about Indiana’s ag community?

A: I’ve gained a lot of advice and information from all of the farmers I’ve worked with over the years. I value that information, whether I’m working with customers or on our operation.

Farmers are loyal and stewardship-minded. I appreciate that. We’re all trying to protect what we have.

Q: What is your vision for 2024?

A: Our main priority for the upcoming year is to help legislators in Indiana to get the farm bill passed. We’re trying to get any information they need, so they know what we’re fighting for and what’s important to Indiana farmers. Things like trying to improve the farm safety net, doubling down on the Foreign Market Development Program and enhancing conservation programs.

We have to keep crop insurance as part of the farm bill. That’s the safety net we’re talking about. It’s imperative.

Another important thing is to continue to push for year-round E-15. They’ve been working off of waivers the past couple of years for the summer driving season from June 1 to Sept. 15. We’re trying to get that to a year-round E-15.

That can have such a huge impact on Indiana corn farmers and Hoosiers at the pump. They can save between 5 and 10 cents per gallon with higher ethanol blends, and E-15 cuts greenhouse emissions by over 455,000 metric tons annually.

E-15 can also bring demand for another 51 million bushels of corn in Indiana. That’s good for the Indiana corn farmer.

Q: Anything else you’d like to mention?

A: A local farmer named Ronnie Mohr served ICGA and Indiana ag for a very long time. He passed away, and I was asked to fill his position for that term.

I felt honored to do that. I want to continue to build on what he’s done. I’m passionate about working with this organization to further Indiana farmers in general.