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Albin assumes presidency of MCGA |
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Written by Mark Hamerlinck
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Shakopee, Minn., October 2, 2008 - The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) has welcomed its new president, Doug Albin, who began his duties at the head of the 6,000-member farmer organization this week.
Albin, a farmer in Clarkfield, Minnesota, raises corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. He has been an MCGA member for 28 years and has been active on the state MCGA board for much of the past decade. He is joined by three other newly-elected officers: DeVonna Zeug of Walnut Grove, vice president: John Mages of Belgrade, secretary and Tim Dritz of Hendricks, treasurer.
"The profitability of farming, and the role that plays in keeping rural communities strong, is always one of the top concerns of our membership," said Albin. "One of the great strengths of MCGA is its diversity-we represent farmers from every part of the state, who manage operations of different sizes and who have different approaches to farming. Our mission is to promote and create opportunities for the profitability of all Minnesota corn farmers and to provide a strong voice in St. Paul and Washington for all corn producers."
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Morris biomass facility holds grand opening |
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Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
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For thirty years community-based energy has been a cornerstone of the vision of grower leaders at Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Farmers have gathered together in co-ops or partnerships to build ethanol plants and that means dollars circulating in the local economy, derived from cleaner-burning renewable energy. The new biomass gasification facility at University of Minnesota-Morris offers the same benefits of self-reliance and strengthening the local economy through cleaner energy. The biomass facility will hold a grand opening today, including tours, starting at 10:30 this morning, to explain the technology that makes biomass gasification such an efficient and clean source of energy. The facility is located next to the heating and cooling building and the regional fitness center. The dedication ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. Officials at the rural university campus believe the system will eventually replace 80 percent of its current natural gas needs, and save $400,000 a year in energy costs by switching to agricultural waste and other sources of biomass. Current costs for natural gas heating run to $900,000 per year. The biomass gasifier would cost $500,000. Part of that expense would create the market to attract 9,000 tons of biomass per year for use at the facility. |
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Albin takes post as MCGA president |
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Written by Jonathan_Eisenthal
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Doug Albin of Clarkfield, Minnesota, became president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) on Wednesday. Albin is now in his 32nd year of farming, and has been an MCGA member nearly as long. "A lot of things in agriculture have changed in three decades, but the one thing that hasn't is that, whoever you talk to in farming, their biggest concern is whether or not they will have the ability to make a living at this job we all love," said Albin. "I am honored to take on this role, because I feel that MCGA is an organization that makes a difference when it comes to fighting for agriculture and keeping farmers prosperous." MCGA's success comes from a number of key strengths, Albin believes. He points to the flow of information, both educational and political, to keep farmers abreast of public policy discussions that will impact them directly. This flow of information from MCGA, and its national organization NCGA, are of tremendous value to farmers, says Albin. |
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January 7-9, 2009