Aubree SiffRing – National Corn Growers Association – St. Louis
May/June Update
Two hundred and fifty years ago, our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and began a new chapter for the country. Corn was growing then too, though it probably looked much different than it does today. What hasn’t changed is the commitment of the people who care for the land and their passion for corn. In my first month at NCGA, I’ve seen firsthand just how much the organization cares about corn, its future, and the growers who make it all possible.
It’s hard to believe my first month with the National Corn Growers Association is already complete. I have learned so much in the short time I have been with NCGA. From the beginning, I was able to jump right in and work on a variety of projects expanding my knowledge in so many areas.
From contributing to NCGA’s weekly email newsletter and writing an article illustrating the importance of USMCA, to helping create content for social media, I’ve gained valuable experience across many areas of communications. I also got the opportunity to attend a Nourish the Future conference here in St. Louis, a workshop series NCGA sponsors empowering science teachers to meet their standards by teaching agriculture-based lessons. Seeing teachers excited to bring agriculture into their classrooms made it clear that the future of agricultural education is bright. Alongside the communications side of my internship, I have also had the opportunity to learn more about investor relations and gain a better understanding of how NCGA collaborates with its state and industry partners. Seeing these relationships firsthand has shown me how important partnerships are in helping the National Corn Growers Association advance its priorities, support corn growers, and work toward achieving its goals.
During June, I also participated in NCGA’s Advocating for Corn Effectively Series, a training program designed to help farmers strengthen their advocacy skills and find their voice in Washington, D.C. Along the way, I’ve learned a great deal about the policy side of agriculture, an area I knew little about before starting my internship but have quickly found fascinating. Seeing NCGA’s advocacy efforts firsthand has given me an even greater appreciation for the work the organization does on behalf of corn growers across the country. Along with learning about policy, one of the first things that I learned after starting my internship was that legislation to authorize year-round E15 passed through the house and will be headed to the Senate. This was a huge win for corn farmers!
Looking ahead to the rest of my internship, I look forward to learning more about NCGA and the many more opportunities to come. I am most excited to attend Corn Congress in Washington D.C. in July. The week will be filled with action team meetings, networking, and Capitol Hill Visits. I cannot wait to see NCGA’s grassroots advocacy in action at the nation’s capital.
While there is still a lot to learn this summer, my first month at NCGA has already taught me so much. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and being able to play a role in how NCGA is advancing the future of corn in the next two hundred fifty years and beyond.
July Update
From producing 15 bushels per acre in 1776 to reaching a national average of 186.5 bushels per acre in 2025, corn has always been a part of our nation’s story. However, progress like this would not be possible without the commitment of corn growers and associations like NCGA. From seed innovation to advocating for what growers truly need on Capitol Hill, corn growers and NCGA are helping ensure that the progress of the past continues to fuel the opportunities of the future.
July has seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities my time with NCGA has brought me.
In the office, I have had the opportunity to expand many of my communication skills while learning so much more along the way. From strengthening my writing through articles that will be published, to creating social media content, to helping prepare internally for Corn Congress and Action Team meetings, I have enjoyed gaining even more experience across multiple areas of communications.
Along with my time in the office, I had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C., where I attended NCGA’s July Action Team meetings and Corn Congress and had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill. It was truly a wonderful experience and one I will never forget. Throughout the trip, I was able to see firsthand the many ways NCGA works to advocate for farmers.
From listening in on growers’ Action Team meetings to participating in one-on-one discussions with farmers, every conversation highlighted the dedication, and passion growers have for the corn industry. It was inspiring to hear their perspectives, learn more about the issues that matter most to them, and see how their experiences help shape the work NCGA does on their behalf.
One of the most memorable parts of the experience was witnessing 127 delegates come together during Corn Congress to discuss important issues and make decisions for the organization. Seeing so many growers from across the country come together with a shared passion for agriculture and a commitment to the future of the corn industry was truly inspiring. NCGA does an incredible job advocating for farmers, and it was an honor to witness that work firsthand and be a part of the process.
Experiencing Washington, D.C., through the perspective of agricultural advocacy gave me a greater appreciation for the important role growers play in shaping the future of the industry. It is an experience I will carry with me long after my internship ends.
Before my internship is over, I look forward to attending the first session of NCGA’s Leadership Academy right here in St. Louis. It will be a great opportunity to connect with grower leaders while continuing to build my leadership and advocacy skills.
I am truly grateful not only for the skills I have gained, but also for the incredible experiences this internship has given me to grow and better myself. I have also been given a front-row seat to witness the innovation and progress NCGA is helping drive, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Final Update
As America looks toward its next 250 years, the question isn't just where we've been, but where we're going. For agriculture, that means finding new ways to meet the needs of a changing world. Corn has been part of America's story for all 250 years, and this summer has given me a closer look at how it can continue to be part of the story for the next 250.
It's hard to believe that my time with the National Corn Growers Association is already coming to an end. This summer has gone by faster than I could have imagined, and when I look back, I am amazed by how much I have learned, the experiences I have had, and the people I have had the opportunity to meet along the way.
One of the highlights of my final weeks was attending the first session of NCGA's Leadership Academy. I had the opportunity to meet a new group of grower leaders and hear firsthand about their experiences, their passion for agriculture, and their commitment to the future of corn. After spending the summer learning about NCGA's work, it was especially meaningful to see that work through the perspective of the growers who help lead it. Their passion was a reminder that the future of agriculture is not only shaped by new technology and new markets, but also by the people willing to advocate for it.
Some of my favorite experiences this summer have also happened outside of my day-to-day work in the office. From traveling to Washington, D.C., for Corn Congress and seeing grassroots advocacy in action, to attending Nourish the Future and seeing educators bring agriculture into their classrooms, each experience gave me a different perspective on the impact of the corn industry. The connections I made throughout these experiences have been one of the most valuable parts of my internship and are something I will carry with me long after this summer ends.
I also had the opportunity to work on a project that brought together many of the things I have learned throughout my internship: looking toward the future of corn. With corn having been part of America's story for the past 250 years, NCGA is focused on helping create a bright and profitable future for corn growers for the next 250.
The project focuses on NCGA's 10-10-10 strategy, outlined in its recent report released in early July, and explores three areas with significant potential for future corn demand: maritime fuel, sustainable aviation fuel, and bioplastics. The goal is to inform farmers, while also reaching policymakers, about the opportunities these emerging markets could create for corn and how they can help build a profitable and attainable future for growers.
Developing content around these areas has given me a new appreciation for just how much innovation is happening within the corn industry. From new uses for corn to new markets and technologies, I have seen how NCGA is working to make sure corn continues to have a place in a changing world. I have also learned that telling that story is just as important as the work itself. Through articles, social media, videos, and farmer stories, communications can help connect the work happening across the industry to the people who need to understand it.
As I wrap up my internship, I am leaving with more than new communications skills. I am leaving with a better understanding of agriculture, advocacy, and the people who make this industry what it is.
The next 250 years will undoubtedly bring challenges we cannot predict, but this summer has shown me that there are people working today to make sure corn is ready to meet them.
I am incredibly grateful to the Nebraska Corn Board and NCGA for giving me this opportunity, trusting me with meaningful work, and allowing me a front-row seat to the people and ideas shaping the future of corn. I will always be grateful for the experiences, connections, and lessons this summer has given me, and I'm excited to see where corn's story goes next.
