WATERLOO, Ill. — Kenneth Hartman Jr. wasted no time making his priorities known during his first week as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The Waterloo, Ill., farmer, fresh from a recent Farmers and Ranchers in Action event in Washington, D.C., laid out his goals for the next year: passage of a robust farm bill and an expansion of corn markets to help revive stagnant corn demand and value. 

“I’m excited about the next year and ready to get some things done,” Hartman told Farm World. “Right now farmers are facing some continued economic tough times. We’re pushing the administration and Congress to expand domestic markets and world markets in higher blends of ethanol and trade across the world.”

During the meeting, Hartman spoke of the need to pass legislation that would permit nationwide expansion of year-round corn-based E15 ethanol blend availability to motorists, among other topics of importance to corn farmers. 

“At Farmer and Ranchers in Action, we started out with a presentation from (US Agriculture) Secretary (Tom) Vilsack and talked a little bit. There was some discussion about 45Z (Tax code 45Z provides tax credits for clean fuel production based on the fuel’s carbon intensity); we are wanting the bundles within 45Z separated where one area would be no till, another area cover crops and another area ‘green’ fertilizers,” Hartman said. “Another area of discussion was sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the administration is very supportive of that.”

The new NCGA leader emphasized the importance of the government putting their full weight behind SAF expansion, calling it a “$50 billion market” waiting to be tapped by American producers.  

“We also listened to Ambassador Doug McKalip, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the US Trade Representative. Ambassador McKalip talked about different areas of trade they have been working on, including specialty crops. He also said they are working on the dispute with the USMCA trade agreement over Mexico’s GM corn ban and we should have some information on that later in the year.” 

Hartman said he intends to keep pressure on Congress to continue to fund crucial lock and dam upgrades on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers during his time in office, among other priorities he has identified. 

“The number one thing I want to see get done during my time in office is to see a farm bill get passed,” said Hartman, who took over as NCGA president on October 1 after an extensive career in agricultural advocacy. “We’ve already kicked the farm bill down the road one year and we do not need another extension to kick it around for another year. It needs to be done by the end of this year because if we don’t we face the possibility of starting over with a new administration, a new House and Senate, and then we’re another year behind.”

The best time window for passage of a new farm bill, according to Hartman, would be during the lame-duck period following the presidential election on November 5. 

“My other priority would be just to create demand,” he added. “The only way to fix low prices in the long term is to create more markets or create more demand in the markets you already have. The Next Generation Fuels Act is our top priority when it comes to ethanol, and we need to get that passed. You’ll get blends of up to 25 percent ethanol, which they are already doing in Brazil. There’s no reason we can’t get to that point, we just need the legislation and support.”

In an NCGA news release announcing Hartman’s term as president, the fifth-generation Illinois farmer said that “Building Bridges” would serve as the theme for his year in office. 

“We need to build on our ties with existing allies while cultivating new relationships with other organizations inside and outside agriculture. We also need to continue to reach out to policymakers and other leaders who may not represent rural communities but who benefit indirectly from the work of farmers. I strongly believe that coalition building is one of the most effective ways to get things done,” Hartman stated. 

Hartman operates his Monroe County farm along with his wife Anita, mother Joann and daughter Amanda. Prior to becoming president, he served on the NCGA board for six years in a variety of leadership roles. Hartman is a past president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association and past chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. 

He is also a member of the Illinois Leadership Council for Ag Education. In 2021, Hartman was honored by Prairie Farmer magazine with the Master Farmer award for his exceptional agricultural production skills as well as his commitment to family and service.