Indiana 20th Corn Checkoff State

May 30, 2001

Indiana has become the 20th state with a corn checkoff. Gov. Frank O'Bannon signed legislation to establish a 1/2-cent per bushel checkoff that begins Sept. 1. The corn checkoff is designed to help farmers increase profits by investing their pooled funds in research, by cooperating with major commodity organizations on state, national and international market development efforts and by disseminating information.

The farmers in other checkoff states automatically pay the checkoff and, in some states, can request a refund at the end of the year. Under the Indiana legislation, farmers will register to participate in the program. Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) president Mike Aylesworth, said, "I'm hoping we'll get $1 million this year."

There is still a lot of work to be done, such as establishing the corn checkoff board to administer the checkoff funds. Aylesworth explained nine farmers will represent nine crop-reporting districts, plus a tenth at-large position.