St. Louis, Missouri
October 21, 2002

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), which represents the nation's corn growers, is starting its fiscal year on a high note and is relocating to new facilities in west St. Louis County. 

On Oct. 23, NCGA will move from its Executive Parkway address in Creve Coeur, Mo., to an office in Chesterfield. The move represents the first time in the organization's 45-year history it will own its headquarters instead of leasing the property as it has in the past. NCGA Chairman Tim Hume said there are many reasons for the move.

"A primary reason is the fact we will actually own this building," he said. "The corn growers who provide the funds for our base of operations through their checkoff dollars want to see more equity and we can't provide that by renting a space. By owning the facility, they will see a return on their investment."

NCGA is a national organization founded in 1957 and represents more than 32,000 dues-paying corn growers from 48 states. In 1984, leaders moved the headquarters from Iowa and established a national office in St. Louis. NCGA also maintains an office in Washington, D.C.

"NCGA represents the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute to corn checkoff programs in 21 states," said Rick Tolman, NCGA's chief executive officer. "NCGA is a federation of state organizations, corn boards, councils and commissions, which develops and implements polices and programs on a state and national level to help protect and advance the corn producer's interests."

The move represents a transfer to a growing community where real estate has been appreciating rapidly, said Hume. "We've already seen an increase in the value of the property from the time we first looked at it up until the final closing," he said.

The new building, which will cost approximately $1.05 million when completed, will also provide many benefits to the staff, said Hume, including an increase in space, from approximately 6,800 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft. in the new location. "The new building is much more spacious and will provide a better use of available space, as well as promote more interaction within the staff," he said. "When the staff is able to interact more, a better exchange of ideas can be had and that represents another benefit to our membership."

The new contact information is:

National Corn Growers Association
632 Cepi Drive
Chesterfield, Mo. 63005
Phone: 636-733-9004
Fax: 636-733-9005

The National Corn Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs.