Check-in on the Checkoff: The Radicle Corn Challenge:

By: Ralph Lents

Ralph Lents is a farmer from Menlo, Iowa, and currently serves as the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) President and on the Industrial Usage & U.S. Production Committee.

As farmers, we understand the importance of continuously exploring new ways to increase demand for our corn — a need that has never been more critical given the current prices and fluctuating market conditions. This year, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) partnered with Radicle Growth for an exciting initiative that we believe could transform the future of corn production: The Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge. This competition seeks to identify and invest in companies that develop new uses for corn, with a focus on creating sustainable, long-term demand by replacing fossil fuel-derived materials with plant-based alternatives.

The Radicle Corn Challenge emerged as a way to ensure that corn remains a vital commodity for the future, not just for Iowa or the U.S., but for the entire world. This initiative is about more than just finding new uses for corn; it’s about leading the agriculture sector into a new era of sustainability. Imagine if the future of energy included corn as a key resource—this was once just a dream, but through this challenge, it’s closer to reality than ever.

Why the Radicle Corn Challenge Matters

At ICPB, we’ve been grappling with low corn prices and the pressing need to boost demand. Our board saw an opportunity to turn a challenge into a powerful innovation driver. Just as ethanol reshaped the market years ago, this new competition has the potential to create groundbreaking applications for corn that could not only increase demand but also contribute to a cleaner environment.

Through the Radicle Corn Challenge, we’re aiming to attract innovative entrepreneurs and organizations that believe in the power of corn and other plant-based alternatives to replace fossil fuels. This is about more than a one-time investment; it’s about creating an environment where people can be confident there’s support, partnership, and mentorship from organizations like Iowa Corn.

Introducing the Winner

Låkril Technologies secured a $500,000 investment prize with a groundbreaking solution that enables the conversion of corn ethanol into bio-based acrylics. Using a bifunctional catalyst, Låkril’s technology offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrochemical acrylic production. This innovation reduces carbon emissions while meeting the growing market demand for sustainable chemical products, further advancing corn’s role in renewable resource solutions.

Supporting a Cleaner, More Sustainable Agriculture

As farmers, we’re constantly finding ways to make agriculture more sustainable. From reducing carbon footprints to preserving our water and soil, we’re committed to leading the way in environmental stewardship. This challenge represents an extension of that mission, allowing us to partner with innovators to develop sustainable products that benefit future generations, just like we as farmers do.

Our efforts align with a growing global demand for cleaner technologies and more sustainable practices. The Radicle Corn Challenge is about creating real, impactful solutions that not only benefit farmers but also contribute to a healthier planet.

Moving Forward

By investing in new uses for corn, ICPB is working to ensure that farmers remain economically strong, providing new opportunities for an industry that sustains us all. If you’re passionate about the future of agriculture, this is your call to stay engaged and support innovations that can create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our families, our state and the world.

To learn more about the work ICPB is doing on behalf of farmers, visit iowacorn.org and follow along as we continue to push for innovation and sustainable progress.

Thank you,

Ralph Lents

Iowa Corn Promotion Board President