Minnesota Corn Growers Association

Discovery & Development (D&D) Team The Discovery and Development team directs the investment of resources toward discovery of best practices maximizing sustainable production and discovery of new or increasing uses of corn. The team continues long term support of water quality, nutrient management, agricultural extension education specialist at the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Agriculture Water Resources Center and Minnesota Discovery Farms. The team has supported multiple research projects focused on nitrogen use efficiency. The team invests in research to advance progression of basic research to practical technologies in bio-based products derived from corn. Farmer led innovation grants have produced notable success in discovery and implementation of improved nutrient management and sustainable practices.

Utilization Team (UT) Team The Utilization Team is tasked with building value-added opportunities for all corn farmers in Minnesota. It is also tasked with expanding domestic and international markets, all towards increased profitability of corn farmers. To that end, the team takes published research from the Discovery and Development Team that requires implementation and/or scale production and marketability into the industrial sector for scale-up. One of the significant endeavors of the team this past year is ethanol marketing including Radio, television, billboards, and digital display resulting in more than 100 million impressions. The team continues to be involved in several national organizations such as U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, and Growth Energy.

CommunicationsNumerous communications via broadcast, web-based, outdoor, special event, and print media activities are conducted each year through Minnesota's corn organizations. The communications efforts result in millions of media impressions throughout the state and region in addition to base communications projects planned and executed each year. Focus teams and committees direct special projects to communications staff when they involve a communications component. These may range from straight forward, one-time newspaper advertisements associated with an event or tradeshow, to months-long, multi-partner, coalition-based campaigns. Communications staff also oversee social media activities for the organization and act as the point of contact for journalists.