Indiana soybean, corn leaders appointed to USDA committee

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds (ATAC)

The USDA appointed directors from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to an influential committee on trade this week. ISA board member Kendell Culp, owner of Culp Family Farm near Rensselaer, Ind., and Michael D. Nichols, owner of Nichols Family Farms near Rockport, Ind., accepted appointments to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds (ATAC) effective June 15, 2019.

Not a stranger to public service, Culp has served as an ISA director since 2013 and a member of the American Soybean Association board since 2014. Culp also served on the Farm Bill Task Force and the Farm Bill/Crop Insurance Advocacy Team. In addition to growing soybeans, corn and wheat, Culp and his family also finish hogs and keep beef cattle on his family farm. He farms with his parents, his wife, Tammy, and his son, Brandon. His daughter, Kayla, works full-time off the farm, but helps as needed.

“From a policy standpoint, we need to collaborate with other agricultural organizations and industry partners to promote and protect our industry and producers,” Culp said. “We need to be vocal and vigilant in our efforts to advance our agenda and promotional efforts.”

Nichols grows corn, soybeans and wheat on his family’s farm in Spencer County, Ind. The fourth generation on his family’s farm, Nichols started working there in 1974. In addition to farming, Nichols owns and operates Nichols Farms Crop Insurance. He has 14 years of experience on the ICGA board. Nichols previously served on the ATAC, and has also worked on the National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Committee. Nichols said his goal is to build a better future for the next generation of farmers.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of grain marketing, livestock, aquaculture, production research, biofuels, environmental programs, and new uses for soybeans. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the nearly 600 dues paying members. Learn more at www.indianasoybean.com

The Indiana Corn Growers Association, which works with the state and federal governments to develop and promote sound policies that benefit Indiana corn farmers, consists of 9 farmer-directors who provide leadership to the organization on behalf of the nearly 600 ICGA members statewide. Learn more at www.incorn.org/icga.

This communications was NOT funded with Indiana soybean or Indiana corn checkoff dollars.

— Indiana Corn Marketing Council