(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)--Terry Hilgedick, a grain farmer from Hartsburg, Mo., was honored for his outstanding service to the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) during MCGA's annual meeting, held Feb. 24 in Jefferson City, Mo.

Hilgedick represented corn growers from District 5 on the grower-led board of directors for MCGA and MCMC for three terms, retiring after the maximum nine years of service.  Replacing Hilgedick on the volunteer board is Jay Fischer of Jefferson City, Mo.

“We have made great strides for the state’s corn farmers during my tenure,” said Hilgedick.  “It has been goal of the board to be willing to try new avenues to better the corn farmer’s situation.  Our grower-leaders have come together, never allowing partisanship or personalities to stand in the way of progress.”

“Over the last nine years Missouri Corn has had many successes - two of the biggest are in the ethanol arena,” continued Hilgedick.  “We fostered the involvement of farmers in Missouri’s ethanol cooperatives, helping establish a strong farmer-owned ethanol industry in Missouri and passed a statewide Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard.  Additionally we successfully partnered with other states to help pass a federal Renewable Fuel Standard.”

“Those things are still unique,” said Hilgedick.  “Corn-based ethanol is still the only commercially viable alternative to fossil fuels.  To Missouri’s credit, we recognized the fit and passed legislation to ensure consumers benefitted from it.”

During his service with Missouri Corn, Hilgedick held several leadership roles including MCGA president and MCMC chairman.  He also served Missouri in roles outside of the state, sitting on the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Public Policy Action Team and the NCGA Joint Trade Policy Action Team.

To learn more about the Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, visit www.mocorn.org.

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Photo Cutline:  Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Keith Witt (right) presents retiring Missouri Corn board member Terry Hilgedick, a corn farmer from Hartsburg, Mo., with the Lifetime Member Award during MCGA's annual meeting in Jefferson City, Mo.

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