ABOUT THE MICHIGAN CORN OFFICE

The Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) is a check-off program established by P.A. 232, 1965 as amended which allows for the establishment of check-off programs for commodities grown in Michigan and sold. The Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has oversight over the Program. The nine farmer members of the CMPM board of directors are appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. The Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Agri Business Association, and Michigan State University are represented through ex-officio members serving on the board.

For every bushel of corn grown in Michigan and sold, one penny comes to CMPM and is used for research, education, market development and new uses. Most often this penny is sent to CMPM by an elevator, but if the corn does not go through an elevator or if the elevator is out of state and does not report to CMPM, it is the farmer ’s responsibility to make sure the penny is paid. Click here for a pdf version of the Corn Assessment Report Form.

CMPM was established in March 1993 after farmers across the state petitioned the director of the MDA. The director appointed a farmer committee to write a Program which was put to a vote of Michigan corn farmers and passed. Since the check-off is mandatory, every five years the Program is voted on by the state’s corn farmers. The vote for the program must pass by both popular vote and production. Successful votes have been held in 1998 and 2003. The most recent vote was held in January 2008.

The Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA), the grassroots membership organization, has a long and rich history. Using their affiliation with the National Corn Growers Association, a small group of farmers decided to organize an association in Michigan to promote their projects and hold educational meetings. Through their diligent efforts, MCGA was officially launched in 1972 and now nearly630 members and six county chapters. Efforts to improve the profitability of corn included marketing seminars, educational meetings, research plots, political action and tradeshows. Today, MCGA focuses on policy work both in Lansing and in Washington D.C. that will enhance the economic viability of corn farmers through fair and just regulations, trade agreements and legislation.