JOHNSTON, Iowa –  September 25, 2017 – This month, Duane Aistrope, a Fremont County farmer, assumed the role as Iowa Corn Promotion Board President (ICPB).  Iowa corn farmers elect their peers to the ICPB in overseeing the investments of the Iowa corn checkoff. The Board’s primary activities include domestic and foreign market development, research into new and value-added corn uses, and education on the corn industry and helping to tell the story of Iowa’s farm families.

“The Promotion Board works year-round to continuously create opportunities for long-term corn grower profitability,” explained Aistrope. “Our efforts are focused on new uses, expanding ethanol usage domestically as well as internationally, and trade for corn in all forms.”

Aistrope, a graduate of Iowa Western Community College, has been farming for 37 years. In his current operation, he raises corn and soybeans, and operates a cow/calf operation. He and his wife, Roberta, have three children. Duane has served as Chair of the Exports and Grain Trade Committee and currently serves as the Innovation and sustainability leader for the US Grains Council Action Team.

“The Iowa Corn Promotion Board identified market development as one of its top priorities,” he stated. “As corn farmers continue to get more efficient at producing a bountiful crop, we need to have markets for all those piles of corn. We understand that to advance this industry we need to expand markets and persistently promote corn in all forms.”

Duane wants to promote the increased usage of corn-ethanol in Iowa and help to identify additional uses for our corn such as exports, bio plastics, and DDGS.

He currently is a member of the Fremont County Corn and Soybean Growers and Farm Bureau. He has been on the FSA County Committee for 27 years, a township trustee for 20 years and a 4-H leader for 21 years. Aistrope has served leadership positions in the Fremont County Farm Bureau including President and Vice-President. He has also served on the Fremont County Fair Board.

For more information about the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, its programs or the farmer-leaders who serve on its board, go to www.iowacorn.org.