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Ethanol Forum highlights industry’s importance

Indiana Corn Growers Association held their 4^th Annual Indiana Ethanol Forum Tuesday.  ICGA president Dennis Maple says the forum is an opportunity to bring together industry stakeholders to talk about the future of the industry. 

He said one challenge that lies ahead is combating some of the negative messaging about ethanol.  “There is a misconception that we’re taking all the food away from the dinner plate,” he says.  “But now we’re using a third of that bushel of corn back in animal feed and the consumer doesn’t know that.  We need to work hard to explain that to them.”

AUDIO: Dennis Maple, Indiana Corn Growers (1:51mp3)

Rosalind Leeck, director of biofuels for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council tells Brownfield ethanol is a vital component in the success of the agriculture industry.  “It’s meant that some second generations or third or even fourth generations are able to come back to the farm when they didn’t think they were going to be able to,” she says.  “It means that there are more jobs in these communities because there is more disposable income.  It means that there is more equipment being purchased from local equipment dealers.”

AUDIO: Roz Leeck, Indiana Corn Marketing Council (3:20mp3)

Leeck says many of those fighting against ethanol are making it an emotional battle and the agriculture industry needs to use emotion to combat the negative message about ethanol.