In 2023, the Utilization Board Funded 7 grants at $422,002. Read about the 2023 check-off funded grants success below!

E85 Infrastructure and Education Project | Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc.

  • Funded $38,802 in 2023.
  • Sustainable Energy Strategies worked to educate Maryland retailers and decision-makers on the use of higher blends of ethanol and the opportunities for grant funding. With 56 flex fuel stations in operation, Maryland drivers have more choices at the pump than ever before. Each public station sells an estimated 800,000 to 1,400,000 gallons of ethanol-blended gallons annually, representing about 10 million bushels of corn.

Working Together To Build Demand | U.S. Grains Council

  • Funded $86,241 in 2023.
  • The U.S. Grains Council was focused on finding new demand, building on it, and keeping markets open for U.S. corn, DDGS, and ethanol. The team partnered with a local distributor to demonstrate the benefits of DDGS in beef cattle feed rations. The USGC also recently signed an MOU with Audin Adnan Menderes University that will result in a new aquaculture training center in Turkey. Lastly, to provide information about the quality of the most recent U.S. corn crop at harvest as it enters the international merchandising challenges, USGC shares Quality Reports annually. Check the Council out here.

National Association Of Wheat Growers

  • Funded $12,000 in 2023.
  • Our team has been busy working on behalf of state wheat associations. NAWG has been at the forefront of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Relief Program and addressing food security following Russia’s invasion. Involvement continues around trade, agriculture appropriations, environmental regulations, tax reform, and more! Lastly, the Foundation has conducted several leadership trainings, continued the National Wheat Yield Contest, and held educational events, such as the Farm Tour at Eric Spate’s this June. Learn more about the wheat growers here.

National Corn Growers Association

  • Funded $96,000 in 2023.
  • The National Corn Growers Association continues to propel the corn industry forward and advance its vision to sustainability feed and fuel a growing world. NCGA’s staff and grower-led action teams and committees advance that vision through four strategic priorities: enhancing productivity and environmental sustainability; increasing demand, strengthening customer and consumer trust, and protecting profitability. Visit their website for more information, here.

National Barley Growers Association

  • Funded $1,678 in 2023.
  • The National Barley Growers Association works to keep producers aware of a variety of issues. Specific issues of focus this past year included increasing federal research funding on the scab and pest initiatives and small grains genomic initiative, while maintaining a farm program and federal crop insurance. More information can be found online here.

MAIZALL

  • Funded $10,000 in 2023.
  • The International Maize Alliance represents 50% of total global corn production and currently 80% of total global corn exports. This past year, MAIZALL has continued outreach in Mexico and held a mission there in August. In October, MAIZALL directors traveled to Argentina for the International Maize Conference. President Zerboni moderated a panel to discuss international policy issues. The alliance was involved in a number of other great corn trade and use events across the world.

Developing Export Markets For Maryland’s Wheat Producers | U.S. Wheat Associates

Annual International Association of Operative Millers Trade Shore in the Middle East
  • Funded $51,700 in 2023.
  • This past year, the U.S. Wheat Associates used its grant to demonstrate to overseas buyers the functional value and performance of flour from soft red winter wheat. A major challenge for U.S. wheat continues to be competition from Black Sea suppliers and the EU markets. Despite a number of challenges, USW has been successful in its efforts to create and maintain demand by promoting the quality, value, and reliability of U.S. wheat to international customers. Learn more online here.

Education, Press, and Administration for the Utilization Board

  • Funded $150,000 in 2023.
  • The Maryland Grain Producers Association provided public relations, education, and market development for Maryland’s grain industry on behalf of MGPUB. Check-off funds supported the organization of the annual Commodity Classic, the successful administration of five student scholarships, updated website maintenance, current news coverage, recognition at state and national meetings, consumer and student outreach, and much more. Be sure to sign up for weekly news and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Delmarva Chicken, 100th Anniversary

  • Funded $12,000 in 2023.
  • 2023 is a milestone year for Maryland’s chicken community – the 100th anniversary of the first broiler chicken flock on Delmarva, the Cecile Steele flock of 1923. It is also the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Delmarva Chicken Association. To commemorate this important year and to impress on Marylanders all the ways the chicken community and the grain farmers who support it have evolved, DCA plans a yearlong agricultural education campaign of education and celebration. DCA will show how the chicken community produces more chicken with fewer resources while providing jobs for thousands of people while reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment contributions to the Chesapeake Bay.