Nate Makinson – National Corn Growers Association – Washington, D.C.

June Update

On May 25th, with two large suitcases in hand, I hopped on a plane and landed in Washington, D.C., my new home for the next 10 weeks. I was filled with excitement and anticipation. I was ready to get to work and represent Nebraska in our nation’s capital. As I settled into the city, I learned how to navigate the Metro (including not going in the completely wrong direction!) and began finding my way around town.

Starting at the National Corn Growers Association, I was immediately welcomed by a friendly and supportive staff who made the office feel like a second home. I jumped into one-on-one meetings with team members to build relationships and gain insight from their experiences. I also began diving into a variety of projects, with a particular focus on economic analysis.

I’ve compiled and analyzed thousands of data points related to corn and corn-producing states, drawing from a wide array of sources to build a comprehensive picture of the agricultural economy. This includes detailed metrics such as export volumes and destinations, yield per acre, average price per bushel, production costs, and overall value of production across all 50 states. By transforming raw data into an accessible database and creating visualizations, I was able to clearly demonstrate the vital role corn plays in the national economy and in the livelihoods of individual states and farming communities.

One of the most impactful projects I’ve led involved organizing and interpreting NCGA’s cycle disbursement records and Corn PAC contributions. These insights are now being used to refine messaging and increase transparency around NCGA’s engagement on Capitol Hill. Building on this analytical work, I also partnered with NCGA economist Gretchen Kuck to develop ways to present broader economic trends and data in a format accessible to audiences without deep agricultural knowledge. Making it more understandable to broader audiences, particularly policymakers and stakeholders who may not have an extensive background in agriculture. We’ve focused on innovating meaningful economic narratives supported by current data, showing why corn matters in that State.

Another project I worked on was preparing a comprehensive economic report on Brazil’s corn sector to assist our president ahead of his participation in the Global Agribusiness Forum and Festival (GAFFFF). The report analyzed Brazil’s production strengths, export dynamics, and agricultural policy environment, providing key insights to inform NCGA’s international outreach and strengthen the case for U.S. corn on a global platform.

Beyond economic analysis, I’ve been actively involved in weekly staff meetings, policy calls, and supporting day-to-day operations that enhance NCGA’s overall productivity. I’ve also contributed to preparations for the upcoming Corn Congress in July and the Commodity Classic in San Antonio.

It’s been a fast-paced and rewarding few weeks. I’ve expanded my network across the agriculture industry and Capitol Hill through coffee meetings and professional conversations. Outside of work, I’ve been enjoying D.C. from attending a Nationals game and the Congressional Baseball Game to exploring the city with new friends. I feel truly blessed to be here learning, growing, and contributing. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer holds!