National ag leader to headline SDCGA Annual Meeting

Top leaders in the agricultural industry will converge together on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 for the South Dakota Corn Growers Association’s (SDCGA) 24th Annual Meeting. Headlining the event will be a key agricultural influencer in Congress.

Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-IA, will deliver the keynote address at the SDCGA Annual Meeting which has grown into one of the largest one-day agricultural events in South Dakota. Boswell, chairman of a highly influential subcommittee within the House Agriculture Committee, will inspire those attending with his keen perspective from Washington.

South Dakota Congresswoman, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will also be present to listen to Rep. Boswell at the SDCGA evening banquet.

"I’m honored to welcome my colleague and friend Leonard Boswell to South Dakota for the annual meeting of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association,” said Herseth Sandlin. “As an Iowan, fellow member of the House Agriculture Committee, where he serves as Chairman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, and strong advocate of renewable fuels, he shares my commitment to our agricultural producers and the important role they play in our region’s economy. I look forward to hearing his insights and trust he will share valuable perspective with those attending the South Dakota Corn Growers Association annual meeting.”

In Boswell’s post as chairman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, he will play an integral role in guaranteeing that producers have risk management tools that truly work, while ensuring that consumers have a safe and affordable food supply.

“Rep. Boswell’s presence in the state could not be better timed as farmers are focused as never before on providing food and fuel security to the world,” said Bill Chase, president of the SDCGA.

More than 1,200 producers, legislators and industry partners will participate throughout the day in educational opportunities and an evening filled with fine dining and entertainment. An illustrious line up of speakers will provide opportunities for producers to learn from leading experts on the topics of marketing, future trends and energy security.

The day will begin with high energy as David Kohl leads off the line-up of experts with his presentation, “Mega Forces of Agriculture in the New Economic Realities.” Next up is Richard Brock of Brock Associates presenting “The Changing World Economic Environment … Impact on Commodity Prices and Farmers.”

At mid-point of the day the SDCGA is proud to welcome the nation’s top corn official, Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association as the luncheon speaker. Tolman has been on the front lines of industry changing policy, biotechnology advancements, advocacy of the corn ethanol industry and image management of the nation’s corn producers. Also during the noon luncheon, NCGA Corn Yield Contest participants will be recognized.

Energy security is the focus of the afternoon as Robert Zubrin opens our minds to dynamic concepts in his presentation “Energy Victory: Winning the War on Terror by Breaking Free of Oil.”

As with any Annual Meeting, an important time for SDCGA members will occur with the Resolution Meeting at 3:45 p.m. as members help set the policy and priorities for the organization over the next year.

Following a day packed full of learning and networking the SDCGA will kick off “CornMania 2010” featuring an evening of fine dining including a social, silent auction and the opportunity to hear from Rep. Boswell.

Following Boswell’s speech and a presentations by South Dakota’s Congressional delegation in attendance that evening, the audience is in for a special entertainment treat when the best Beatles Tribute Band around takes the stage. American English will wow the crowd with their rendition of top Beatles’ hits including “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Hey Jude”, “Eight Days a Week” and many more.

“The SDCGA Annual Meeting is designed to celebrate the successes of the South Dakota corn industry while recognizing the leaders who have made a difference in the SDCGA over the past years,” said Chase.

For a full agenda of the day’s events, go to www.sdcorn.org. Tickets for the Annual Meeting banquet are $50 for members of the SDCGA or $125 for non-members. The day-long educational seminars are at no cost and open to the public; the lunch program is $10 per person. Register online at www.sdcorn.org or by calling the SDCGA at 605-334-0100.