Today at the Bloomington office of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, members undertook a grassroots policy development session. Policy development ideas have been solicited from members at large and county organizations.

This morning, 5 policy breakout sessions, organized by topic, were held. Those groups were Biotech/State Budget, Ethanol & Research Policy, Farm Bill/Crop Insurance, Conservation/CRP Policy, and Transportation/Trade. The groups reviewed the National Corn Growers Association Policy Book and considered state-level policy.

In the afternoon, members presented their policy motions at a membership meeting. There was discussion and then a vote on each policy recommendation. Those policies that were passed will then be taken to the policy session at the Corn Congress which is held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in March of 2011.

ICGA is a grassroots membership organization with over 4,000 members. ICGA maintains a high profile in the legislative arena in Springfield, IL, and Washington, DC through the benefit of membership dues. The Illinois Corn Marketing Act precludes the use of corn checkoff dollars for legislative activities so ICGA utilizes its membership income for these activities.