The Iowa Corn Growers Association hosted over 130 farmer-member delegates at its Annual Grassroots Summit on Wednesday to establish policy priorities for the coming year.
Held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, the summit provided a forum for farmers to discuss and vote on resolutions concerning CRP regulations, carbon capture and sequestration rights, extension of the 45Z tax credit, and trade expansion.
"The Annual Grassroots Summit is a time for Iowa corn farmer members to come together to discuss the key policy issues that are impacting them most," said newly elected ICGA President Mark Mueller, a farmer from Waverly, Iowa.
Mueller explained that the association's policy process begins with a survey sent to more than 7,000 farmer members, followed by discussions at district roundtables before culminating in the summit vote. National priorities are then taken to Commodity Classic.
During the event, the organization recognized several leaders for their contributions. Larry Buss of Harrison County received the Top Recruiter Award for signing up 94 new members. John Schott from Pocahontas County was honored with the Outstanding Individual Leadership Award for his dedication to agriculture in his community.
The 2025 Iowa Corn Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Bill Northey, described as an "exemplary leader" whose legacy will continue to inspire the agriculture industry.
The association will release its finalized 2026 policy priorities in December based on board discussions and input from the summit.
