Corn Advocate of the Year honored

WASHINGTON — As he walked to the stage to collect the Corn Advocate of the Year award, Tim Thompson looked genuinely shocked.

His mouth fell open. His eyes widened. He shook his head.

Thompson, who raises corn and soybeans in Morgan County in west-central Illinois, about 90 miles north of St. Louis, was recognized for his advocacy efforts — particularly to expand markets for corn, as well as to find more profitable ways to grow the crop.

But he did not expect the honor.

At all.

“I had no idea,” Thompson said. “Today’s corn is king in the U.S. I firmly believe you have to advocate for the crop that helps pay your bills, that helps takes care of your family.

“I’m so honored to be part of the National Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Corn Growers Association,” said the treasurer of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Thompson received the award, sponsored by Syngenta, during the annual Corn Congress policy-setting session held by the NCGA in Washington.

Other recipients included Brett Grauerholz, of Kansas, and Patrick Seyer, of Missouri.

Thompson and his wife, Tami, farm with his father-in-law, Gary Heyen, growing reduced-till corn and no-till soybeans in a 50-50 rotation.

“He has made my opportunity to get into farming full-time in the future a very realistic opportunity,” he said.

Previously, Thompson lived all over the eastern half of the United States, working in ag and crop protection.

“When I worked in the southeast, I saw different commodity groups do a real good job of advocacy. And growers were really very vital and very eager to do that,” he said.

“I felt that as I moved forward in my career, that’s a very key piece — that I need to make sure it’s close to my heart and continue to push forward the crops that matter to me and my family.”

The corn advocates were chosen for the award based on several factors, including their involvement in NCGA’s advocacy trainings and leadership development programs, membership in the association’s political action committee, their participation rate in calls-to-action and their engagement with lawmakers.

Thompson said he is optimistic about the future of farming, but there are obstacles to overcome today.

“We’ve got some serious challenges, not only at the local level with commodity prices, but also at the federal level,” he said.

“We need to get a farm bill sooner than later to help protect our farmers and make sure that we stay profitable and produce food for the world.”

A day earlier, Thompson and other farmers from across the country visited the offices of their elected representatives.

Illinois, however, also traveled with 36 young leaders.

“Illinois brings in the FFA teams, sectional as well as state officers, and they’re part of our process to go through Capitol Hill,” Thompson said.

“They’re very beneficial. They understand what ag means to them, to their families and to Illinois farmers.”

As a farmer-led organization, NCGA brings corn growers, policymakers and experts together to move the needle on policy issues — but none of that advocacy work can be successful without strong voices from the farm, said NCGA President Harold Wolle, of Minnesota.

“The three individuals receiving this award go above and beyond to advocate for farmers, all while managing their farms, families and businesses,” he said. “I am deeply grateful that they lend their time and expertise to NCGA’s advocacy efforts.”

President’s Award

Calling her “a tireless advocate for corn growers,” Wolle also announced that he will present U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., with the NCGA President’s Award at Farmfest in August.

Klobuchar has spent years in the Senate pushing for legislation important to farmers. She has promoted measures that would allow consumers greater access to higher blends of ethanol.

Wolle praised Klobuchar for being a forceful advocate to eliminate trade barriers that negatively impact farmers and for working to pass a farm bill that will reflect corn grower priorities.

“America is stronger because of you,” the senator said in a video message. “That’s why I am fighting in Washington to give you the support you need and deserve.”