SD Corn Growers elect leaders for 2011

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) has re-elected Gary Duffy of Oldham to serve as its president for 2011.

Also during the association’s Feb. 24 board meeting in Pierre, Mark Gross of Bridgewater was re-elected vice president and Keith Alverson of Chester was elected secretary/treasurer.

Duffy recently completed his first year as president. He previously served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council board of directors and is past president of that organization. During his tenure with the SDCUC, he was the liaison to the U.S. Grains Council and worked to boost international markets for corn and dried distillers grains.

Gross, a fourth-generation Hutchinson County farmer, has served on the SDCGA board since 2007. He has been a member of a National Corn Growers Association action team and has been through the Syngenta Leadership Academy.

Alverson, a sixth-generation farmer, farms in partnership with his dad and uncle near Chester. He serves as chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Committee. He previously served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council board of directors and was a past vice president of that organization.

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association, one of the largest commodity groups in the state, promotes corn, represents corn producers on public policy issues and serves as a legislative voice.