Colorado Corn

Dear Friends,

Corn growers have been the subject of attacks before. Unfortunately, we're getting kind of used to it. We've seen big oil companies, grocery manufacturers and misguided environmentalists form strange new alliances to level attacks from all directions, and we've been spending countless hours setting the record straight with science-based, accurate information.

Their attacks have had a real affect on our livelihood. They've spent millions of dollars running false ads, hired high-priced lobbyists to lobby for their inaccurate views, and distributed misleading studies to convince the media, the American people, and even friendly elected officials that corn, farming practices and ethanol production are somehow bad.

They've attacked corn, corn growers and corn-based ethanol from every angle. We've won some battles against our opponents, including the Food vs. Fuel debate and the Grocery Manufacturers Association's attempt to blame corn for increased food prices. Now, more than ever, we need you, an "army" of 300,000 proud U.S. farmers who grow corn, to defend our way of life and stand up to these false attacks in order to win the war. Your voices must be heard, in all mediums possible, as soon as possible.

Specifically, we need you to:

• Talk to your Governor, Member of Congress and Senator during breaks and all year. The Memorial Day Congressional recess is upon us. That presents an opportunity to personally talk with your Congressman and Senator while they are back in the state. Give them a fact sheet (click here to download it) and ask them to read it. Ask your elected officials to become champions for corn growers and ethanol producers, who offer billions of dollars and millions of U.S. jobs our industries represent.

• Write letters to the editors of your local weekly and daily newspapers as frequently as possible. It's vital that we inform others with the positive facts, and regain our rightful, positive image with the American people.

• Be a vocal advocate in your community. Talk to gas station owners, your grocery store managers, and everyone you come across. Reach out to the local chapters of conservation, farm, and civic groups. Along with providing the facts, ask them to work with us because we have more in common than we have differences. And stress that corn is good for the U.S. economy, environment, and energy security.

Click on the information link below for a short document with the most frequent and damaging attacks, along with the facts to easily communicate the realities. Please read it, email it to others, and print it out to distribute to people in your community. We need you engaged in helping fight back to win the war as well as the battles of corn and corn ethanol.

If you need additional information, visit our Web site, www.ngca.com.

Thank you.
Bob Dickey, President
National Corn Growers Association