In the early ’70s, corn farmers unified to create a larger voice in Michigan.
Michigan Corn Growers Assocation executive director Jim Zook tells Brownfield in 1972 corn prices were around $1.30 per bushel and farmers wanted better representation on legislative issues.
“It was by some guys that wanted to make sure we had an impact, we were standing up and we were promoting the industry,” he shares. “It was a grassroots effort.”
Those actions also led to now what is the corn checkoff program which assesses farmers a small portion of what they sell to invest in research, education, and marketing.
