-Submitted photo
Jolene Riessen has been the Iowa Corn Growers Association president since September 2023. Her passion for keeping farming enjoyable and sustainable for future ag leaders is a large part of her motivation to be active in ICGA.

IDA GROVE — With just over four months as president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) under her belt, Jolene Riessen has hit the ground running. Riessen, along with her two sons, Cory and Lee, farms in Ida and Sac counties in northwest Iowa. Their operation consists of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, custom cattle feeding and cow/calf.

Riessen is also on the Exports & Grain Trade Committee. She currently serves as an Ida County district soil commissioner and is president of the Sac and Ida County Corn Growers Association. She has served on the Animal, Ag and Environment Committee for Iowa Corn, as chair of the Industrial Usage and Production Committee and on the governor’s task force for carbon sequestration. Riessen has also proved to be a vocal advocate for what farmers are doing to help improve water quality.

Farm News caught up with her at her Ida County farm — just as she was finishing with cleaning her cattle yard — to ask her a few questions about everything corn related.

Farm News: How’s the ICGA presidency treating you?

Riessen: The first few months serving as the Iowa Corn Growers Association President have already been impactful and very busy. Since September, I’ve spoken with legislators about the Farm Bill and the value of crop insurance for farmers. I also visited with state legislators and shared the value of the Iowa corn checkoff to farmers across the state. Next on my agenda is the 2024 state legislative session and speaking up for Iowa’s corn farmers when it comes to our grassroots effort priorities.

-Farm News photo by Doug Clough
Jolene Riessen travels from cattle yard to cattle yard, caring for her animals. Riessen, along with her two sons, Cory and Lee, farms in Ida and Sac counties in northwest Iowa. Their operation consists of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, custom cattle feeding and cow/calf.

Farm News: Any thoughts on the Iowa caucuses?

Riessen: I think everyone gets questioned about the Iowa caucuses, and that is a huge benefit to us as Iowans. During this time, all eyes are on us, especially farmers, which means we can share with presidential candidates what they can do to support us as farmers and Iowans in the long run if elected. No matter what party you are, we are interested in hearing your take on biofuels, the Farm Bill and much more. That’s why we created the Biofuels Vision Campaign, which tracks candidates caucusing in Iowa, and how they respond to questions related to our issues.

Farm News: How is the work going on next-gen ethanol?

Riessen: We continue to have conversations with legislators on the value of the Next Generations Fuels Act and why consumers should have fair access to higher blends of ethanol. This bill is of tremendous importance for both farmers and consumers because it creates infrastructure that is compatible with higher blends of ethanol — promoting more corn grind for farmers and lower prices for consumers at the pump.

Farm News: What are ICGA’s thoughts on carbon capture?

Riessen: We understand and respect our member’s landowner rights and the need for proper protection while also valuing the implementation of carbon capture and sequestration pipelines to lower the carbon-intensity scores of ethanol plants. Our goal with these policies is to put the decision-making in the hands of the farmer when it comes to their land usage. However, without carbon sequestration we lose the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market to Brazil — who is currently importing 54 million gallons of ethanol into the U.S. annually — because of SAF standard requirements related to the carbon intensity score.

Farm News: Are you still excited about your boys’ future in farming?

Riessen: As a mother, I hope that my boys continue my legacy of advocacy when it comes to their careers in agriculture. With advancements in technology, I expect that they will take great care of the land and livestock they grow and feed, however, it takes your voice to fight for what you do, and I hope they use theirs through commodity organizations like I do.

Farm News: Do you see electric vehicle (EV) technology coming to farming?

Riessen: Right now, I do not see electric vehicle technology coming to the farming industry. We worry about compaction out in the field now, so I can’t imagine using a battery-powered tractor. Batteries also don’t like to sit during the wintertime, making it an easy choice for most farmers.