Since their stock and trade is the biggest feedstock for ethanol production, it only seems natural that the National Corn Growers Association has joined the Urban Air Initiative, an organization that promotes the human health and environmental benefits of ethanol. The group is a coalition that supports government standards to lower harmful automobile emissions.

“Joining UAI will benefit corn farmers by involving NCGA in important conversations about how ethanol can help our nation achieve important health and environmental goals,” said NCGA Ethanol Committee Chair Chad Willis. “Additionally, joining UAI builds relationships with a variety of influential groups, such as those representing asthma interests, with whom we share common interests but have not previously collaborated. Conversations about reducing the harmful effects modern traffic has upon our respiratory health and the health of our planet play a major role in the formation of public policy. It is imperative that we join in and make sure farmer voices are heard.”

Several of NCGA’s state affiliates have already been funding support for the UAI, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Kansas Corn Growers Association, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. NCGA will have three seats on the steering committee, to be filled by NCGA Ethanol Committee Vice Chair Paul Taylor, NCGA Director of Biofuels Pam Keck and a corn grower not yet selected.