written werk: Breaking Ground stories

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association is a non-profit, membership association, focused on providing representation for Minnesota farmers on collective legislative issues. With 38 county organizations, issues vary from transportation to taxes.

BACKGROUND INFO

At the beginning of each month I receive the Breaking Ground topic and the names and contact information of people to interview. Then I start calling and learning about things I'd never dreamed I would know.

RUNNER GOES THE DISTANCE FOR CLEAN AIR

A 48-year-old St. Paul man who may once have walked a mile for a cigarette is getting ready to run 500 miles for a greater cause. Tom Andrews, an amateur ultra-marathon runner, will cross the state of Minnesota on foot in the E85 Run for Clean Air - an epic two-week run from Fargo, North Dakota, to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol.

Andrews regularly runs distances of 100 miles or more. However, this ultra-marathon will combine Andrews' passion for running with his resolve to be a steward of the earth."For me it adds a dimension that I don't get from running for myself," said Andrews. "I'm looking forward to that. I think it's a good cause. "

The idea for the E85 Run for Clean Air germinated when Andrews approached the American Lung Association of Minnesota with an offer to run for any cause or program that needed visibility. A fifteen-year veteran of the American Lung Association Running Club, Andrews has helped raise funds for the Lung Association in the past to support their mission of promoting clean air and preventing lung disease.

Tim Gerlach, director of Outdoor Air Programs for the ALAMN, recognized a novel way to promote the benefits of E85 fuel. He knew Andrews would be a great spokesperson. "Tom is really conscious of air quality," said Gerlach. "He's out there in it all the time. "

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In 1950, it took 10 to 14 hours of work to produce 100 bushels of corn. Today that same 100 bushels of corn require only about two hours of labor, according to Craig Haugaard, regional extension educator, who recently wrote about the scope and value of U.S. agriculture - "perhaps the greatest untold story in America today."

Consumers hear all kinds of stories related to agriculture. Unfortunately, because the farm population represents less than two percent of the total U.S. population, its successes don't easily reach the ears of consumers. But that doesn't mean the success stories don't exist.
Most people realize that agriculture has grown more efficient. Less known are the environmental gains from those efficiencies. While a reduction in inputs saves farmers money, which helps them produce more profitably, it also substantiates their role as stewards of the land.

"Consumers accept that it takes very few labor hours to make computers compared to 30 or 40 years ago, yet in agriculture we are making the same if not greater efficiencies in labor, and they tend to view those efficiencies as a negative," said Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Program Manager Warren Formo. "If farmers were producing crops with the same efficiencies as 30 years ago, many forests would have been converted to crop land. As agriculture becomes more productive, it prevents marginal lands from being farmed, in this country and abroad."

Farmers in Minnesota continue to explore ways to reduce inputs while maintaining or increasing yield. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been conservation tillage, which includes no-till, strip-till, and ridge-till methods.

CLICK HERE
TO READ MORE

		The Minnesota Corn Growers Association is a non-profit, membership association, focused on providing representation for Minnesota farmers on collective legislative issues. With 38 county organizations, issues vary from transportation to taxes.
BREAKING GROUND ARTICLES FOR THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE Every month, the Minnesota Corn Growers shines the spotlight on a project that they believe breaks new ground in the field of agriculture. These projects, sponsored by one of four MCGA teams, are highlighted in a series called "Breaking Ground," which appears on the association's Web site at www.mncorn.com.	news articles	BACKGROUND INFO At the beginning of each month I receive the Breaking Ground topic and the names and contact information of people to interview. Then I start calling and learning about things I'd never dreamed I would know.
EXCERPTED TEXT RUNNER GOES THE DISTANCE FOR CLEAN AIR A 48-year-old St. Paul man who may once have walked a mile for a cigarette is getting ready to run 500 miles for a greater cause. Tom Andrews, an amateur ultra-marathon runner, will cross the state of Minnesota on foot in the E85 Run for Clean Air - an epic two-week run from Fargo, North Dakota, to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol. Andrews regularly runs distances of 100 miles or more. However, this ultra-marathon will combine Andrews' passion for running with his resolve to be a steward of the earth."For me it adds a dimension that I don't get from running for myself," said Andrews. "I'm looking forward to that. I think it's a good cause. " The idea for the E85 Run for Clean Air germinated when Andrews approached the American Lung Association of Minnesota with an offer to run for any cause or program that needed visibility. A fifteen-year veteran of the American Lung Association Running Club, Andrews has helped raise funds for the Lung Association in the past to support their mission of promoting clean air and preventing lung disease. Tim Gerlach, director of Outdoor Air Programs for the ALAMN, recognized a novel way to promote the benefits of E85 fuel. He knew Andrews would be a great spokesperson. "Tom is really conscious of air quality," said Gerlach. "He's out there in it all the time. " CLICK HERE TO READ MORE		EXCERPTED TEXT LESS IS MORE In 1950, it took 10 to 14 hours of work to produce 100 bushels of corn. Today that same 100 bushels of corn require only about two hours of labor, according to Craig Haugaard, regional extension educator, who recently wrote about the scope and value of U.S. agriculture - "perhaps the greatest untold story in America today." Consumers hear all kinds of stories related to agriculture. Unfortunately, because the farm population represents less than two percent of the total U.S. population, its successes don't easily reach the ears of consumers. But that doesn't mean the success stories don't exist. Most people realize that agriculture has grown more efficient. Less known are the environmental gains from those efficiencies. While a reduction in inputs saves farmers money, which helps them produce more profitably, it also substantiates their role as stewards of the land. "Consumers accept that it takes very few labor hours to make computers compared to 30 or 40 years ago, yet in agriculture we are making the same if not greater efficiencies in labor, and they tend to view those efficiencies as a negative," said Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Program Manager Warren Formo. "If farmers were producing crops with the same efficiencies as 30 years ago, many forests would have been converted to crop land. As agriculture becomes more productive, it prevents marginal lands from being farmed, in this country and abroad." Farmers in Minnesota continue to explore ways to reduce inputs while maintaining or increasing yield. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been conservation tillage, which includes no-till, strip-till, and ridge-till methods. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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