Members and staff of KY Corn attended Commodity Classic for the invaluable opportunities the event provides for connecting with high-level officials in governmental organizations like USDA, shaping the future of corn on important issues for corn farmers, and conversations with agriculture industry professionals.
Southern States Caucus
KY Corn participated in the Southern States Caucus, discussing pressing policy issues and NCGA resolutions, hearing from NCGA board candidates, and speaking directly with members of USDA.
Panelists from USDA, NRCS, and RMA shared upcoming initiatives with KY Corn leaders, including efforts to modernize acreage reports and other paperwork with the Farm Service Agency, the launch of the $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program, and stakeholder roundtable meetings on conservation practice standards with the NRCS.
We’re proud to influence these discussions to bring the voice of Kentucky farmers to the table.
Corn Congress
Micah Lester, President of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, and Scott Ebelhar, Vice President of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, voted on resolutions that will guide the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) into the future. These discussions with growers and corn leaders set the pace for supporting corn nationwide.
Commodity Classic allows our board members and staff to stay up to date with corn demand opportunities and come together with other growers for these important discussions.
E15 Call to Action
KY Corn is full of active advocates for the corn industry in Kentucky.
Our members called their representatives to push for year-round E15, joining forces with other corn advocates nationwide pressing for this initiative.
Connecting with Officials
Executive Director Laura Knoth brought a specific issue from a Kentucky grower to Steven Peterson, Associate Administrator for the Farm Service Agency, during Commodity Classic 2026.
KY Corn members also had the chance to interface with Richard Fordyce, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
Events like Commodity Classic provide unrivaled access to government officials and industry partners, and KY Corn makes sure our corn farmers are at the forefront of these discussions.
E98 Tractor Discussions
Josh Lancaster had the chance to interview a John Deere representative about the E98 tractor John Deere has been developing. A fully ethanol-fueled tractor would bring much-needed demand for our US corn supply.