Iowan and avid ethanol promoter Charlie Good has been honored with the 2016 Iowa Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). The award, in its 38th year, honors an individual for his or her lifetime of achievement and promotion of Iowa ag. Dr. Maynard Hogberg was also given the honor for his academic work related to animal science. The gentlemen received plaques honoring their achievements during IFBF’s annual meeting and they will be on permanent display at the IFBF headquarters.

For more than 35 years, Charlie Good has been a staple of rural Iowa serving as an expert auto repair mechanic, small business owner, and a leading advocate for renewable fuels both in Iowa, but throughout the country. Good, who is an ASE-certified mechanic and board member of the Petroleum Marketers Retail Committee, owns a station that was one of the first to begin selling E15 and other blends of ethanol including E20, E30 and E85. His efforts to promote ethanol in particular, has greatly benefited Iowa farmers. He was nominated by the Story County Farm Bureau.

As a nationally-recognized advocate for renewable fuels, Good has regularly helped consumers understand the difference between crop production for renewable fuels versus crops raised for food, an important distinction that is confusing for many. He has regularly traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and expanded markets for ethanol and biodiesel products.

Reflecting back on his lobbying efforts, Good is pleased he took the time to share his expertise and advocate for renewable fuel. “I was very proud to represent Nevada and represent Iowa,” Good says. “It was shocking to me that a little guy from Nevada, Iowa, could actually make a difference on something so important in Washington, D.C.”