The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) held its Fifth Annual Membership Symposium Feb. 6 to 8, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tampa, Fla.  The three-day event, sponsored by NK® Brand and the Agrisure™ corn traits business from Syngenta, provided workshops for corn grower leaders focused on making the organization and its membership development efforts a continued success. 

“This year marks our fifth anniversary of partnering with NK Brand, and our first year partnering with Agrisure in support of NCGA’s continued growth,” said Byron L. Keelin, Jr., manager of membership services, NCGA.  “Our enrollment remains strong with more than 32,000 members nationwide, thanks to the support of our sponsors who provide us with excellent resources. 

“Our goal for this year’s symposium was to bring in significant speakers who address fundamental issues state association staff face and provide the tools necessary to better meet member growers’ needs.”

The symposium allowed attendees to build their skills in membership development, learn the latest trends from industry experts and network with other grower leaders. 

Featured speakers at the meeting included, Marilyn Moats Kennedy, founder and managing partner of Career Strategies, a 31 year-old management consulting firm in Wilmette, Ill., and Michele Payn-Knoper, professional speaker and consultant, Lebanon, Ind.

Kennedy presented an overview of workplace values and lifestyles of the groups that will dominate the workplace in the next century in a workshop titled, “Managing Change: Understanding the Demographics of the Evolving Workplace.”

“Kennedy emphasized important issues such as cross-generational recruitment and retention, motivation, conflict resolution, marketing and customer satisfaction,” Keelin added.

Payn-Knoper inspired attendees to be proactive in defending the trust consumers have invested in agriculture during workshops titled, “Championing Agriculture” and “Responding to Rhetoric.”  Her second workshop was designed to help audiences respond to claims made by activist groups speaking against agriculture. 

“NCGA’s annual membership symposium is always packed with great leadership workshops,” said Doug Knight, marketing head, NK Brand.  “NCGA is an important resource for growers, and supporting their program is another opportunity to support our customers.”  

To learn more about programs and services provided by the NCGA and its state associations, visit its website www.ncga.com.

NK Brand Seeds is a trusted hybrid corn, soybean and alfalfa seed supplier with more than 100 years of service in the marketplace.  The brand provides growers more yield and better choices for the way they farm through innovative products and solutions.  Located in Golden Valley, Minn., NK Brand Seeds is part of Syngenta. 

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.  The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market.  Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion.  Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 100 countries.  Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).  Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

NK®, For The Way You Farm® and Agrisure™ are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.