August Stand Up with Stan

By: Stan Nelson

Stan Nelson is a farmer from Middletown, Iowa, and currently serves as the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) President.

August is the end of summer and the end of my term as Iowa Corn Promotion Board President. As I wrap up my tenure, I feel it is necessary to reflect on the impact we have had in moving the corn industry forward this year. Although it has been a year full of market fluctuations and unexpected rainfalls it has also been a year of innovation, trade development and increased consumer awareness of the 4,000 everyday products corn is in.

This year, we hosted numerous trade teams to strengthen relationships with government officials to increase global ethanol use as well as corn buyers, created grower guides on carbon markets and microbials and sponsored the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge, which aims to invest at least $1.5M in companies developing new uses for corn.

We concluded the “Iowa Corn Year” at the Iowa State Fair, sponsoring a steer in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, raising over $568,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We connected with consumers at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent’s Ag Trivia event supported by all commodity groups in Iowa, volunteered at livestock food booths to highlight corn’s importance to corn-fed meat, dairy and eggs, and supported the Farm to Fair meal, showcasing Iowa’s agriculture once again alongside our partners. And most importantly, we shared the value of corn with fairgoers during Iowa Corn Day at the Fair – a day filled with conversations between farmers and consumers on the importance of corn in fuel, food and so much more.

As I transition from my role, I do so with a sense of pride and optimism for what is to come for the corn industry. The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is in good hands, and I am confident that the incoming leadership will continue to build demand and profitability for Iowa’s corn farmers. Thank you to everyone who has supported and contributed to our mission. It has been an honor to serve as your president, and I look forward to witnessing the continued success of Iowa Corn.

Thank you,

Stan Nelson