News Release

PORTAGEVILLE - Greg Branum, Missouri State Director for USDA Rural Development, presented a grant check for $99,500 to the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) in a ceremony today. The grant will help fund the development of a new, statewide value enhanced grain system. This new system will be based on the principles of Identity Preservation (IP) and help farmers differentiate their commodity.

Branum says, "USDA is pleased to make this investment in value added products with the potential to help many farmers and rural residents. Our goal is for increased economic development efforts to create new job opportunities and improved market options for agricultural commodities."

"Our objective is to develop an Identity Preservation system for corn to help farmers add and retain increased value," explains Brent Rockhold, MCGA President and farmer from Arbela, Missouri. "MCGA grower-leaders are proud of our organization’s record in helping farmers develop value enhancement opportunities, starting with two farmer-owned ethanol facilities. This IP project is the next step, helping farmers with ‘virtual processing’ to climb the marketing chain for corn."

Identity Preservation is a relatively new concept to agriculture, allowing farmers to play an important role in tracking the commodity from the seed to the processing plant. First, farmers try to maximize production results and increase quality during planting and harvesting. Second, farmers work with certification agencies to verify how corn is planted, handled and stored. Finally, farmers cooperate through an information system for their corn production.

"We certainly appreciate the assistance from USDA Rural Development to further the development of the system corn farmers need for Identity Preservation in Missouri," says Gary Marshall, MCGA CEO. "We are also thankful that our IP and value enhancement programs have the support of Missouri’s congressional delegation, including Senator Bond, and Representatives Emerson and Hulshof. They recognize the need to create additional opportunities for agriculture, and that’s what we’re doing with this project."

"The $99,500 grant was made possible through the USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program," says Branum. "Its purpose is promoting the sustainable economic development in rural communities."

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