Members of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association last month developed a new membership program and ratified a member option that allows farmers to directly participate in the development of the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. The new membership option was named the UKAg Benefactor Lifetime Membership. Purchase price is $1,000.
Its purchase includes a lifetime KyCorn and NCGA membership, plus it directs $1,500 in the name of the purchaser as a donation to the Center. The funds raised from this program also can be credited to UK’s requirement of matching a $15 million grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund to make the Center a reality. It is an ideal mechanism to put grassroots support of farmers for the land-grant endeavors on full display.
“In the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, we appreciate our partnership with farmers and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association,” said Dean Nancy Cox. “Intensive agriculture is vital to a stable food, feed, fiber and fuel supply. Additionally, water quality is essential to all Kentuckians. Our Grain and Forage Center of Excellence strives to address these challenges. As we expand facilities for the center, we continue to be dedicated to serving Kentucky agriculture.
“We are honored that many of you have chosen to become lifetime members of KyCorn through the UKAg Benefactor Lifetime Membership program, which provides support of our research and extension efforts. It is humbling to see the trust placed in us as you invest in the college.
“We are committed to a strong agricultural community for this generation and generations to come.”
The names and farm names of charter UKAg Benefactor Lifetime Members (those purchasing in the first year of this program) will be permanently displayed in the foyer of the Center’s headquarters in Princeton, KY.
Over last fall, the program was previewed to existing KyCorn lifetime members, and that audience was offered an opportunity to upgrade to the Benefactor membership before the memberships actually went on sale. Through commitment statements from existing lifetime members, over $65,000 has already been committed. The memberships officially went on sale on January 19 after the UK Benefactor membership option was approved by the general membership voting body.
“We are happy to find creative outlets for individuals to support this vitally important effort, which farmers are already reaping benefits from” said KyCorn President Mark Roberts. “Investments in the Grains and Forage Center of Excellence will pay dividends to agriculture for generations, and we are excited and proud to participate in its ground-breaking ceremony, scheduled for March 15.”
For more information or to purchase your KyCorn Lifetime UKAg Benefactor membership, please visit www.kycorn.org or contact Adam Andrews at adam@kycorn.org or 502-974-1121.