Ohio Corn Marketing Program

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program, funded through the Ohio Corn Checkoff, works to create long-term opportunities for Ohio growers and increase the value of the corn they produce.

Checkoff investments support market development, research, education, exports, ethanol, water quality efforts, and new uses for corn. By working with farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural partners, the program helps build demand for Ohio-grown corn and strengthen opportunities for growers.

How the Ohio Corn Checkoff Supports Growers

The Ohio Corn Checkoff gives growers a way to invest collectively in the future of the industry.

Checkoff dollars support priorities that can create value across the corn market, including:

  • expanding domestic and international markets;
  • supporting corn exports;
  • investing in research;
  • building ethanol demand;
  • supporting agricultural and corn education;
  • improving water quality;
  • and developing new uses for corn.

These investments are designed to strengthen demand, address production challenges, and support long-term profitability for Ohio corn farmers.

Expanding Markets Through Corn Exports

Corn exports play an important role in building demand for Ohio-grown corn.

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program works with agricultural organizations and industry partners to expand international market opportunities and strengthen relationships with buyers around the world. These efforts include participating in trade missions, building relationships with global partners, and hosting international visitors who want to learn more about Ohio agriculture and corn production.

Creating stronger export markets can help open new opportunities for Ohio farmers while increasing demand for the corn grown across the state.

Growing Demand for Corn Through Ethanol

Ethanol is an important market for corn and a major area of focus for the Ohio Corn Marketing Program.

Ohio is home to seven ethanol production plants, and those facilities create demand for millions of bushels of corn each year. Expanding the availability and use of ethanol-blended fuels helps create another market for corn while connecting Ohio agriculture with the transportation-fuel industry.

Supporting ethanol demand is part of the broader effort to build reliable, long-term markets for growers and increase the value of corn. If you want to learn more about how ethanol connects Ohio drivers and corn growers, explore Unleaded 88 (E15 fuel) and where it is available.

Research for Ohio Corn Farmers

Research helps growers respond to production challenges, improve crop quality, and make more informed management decisions.

Ohio Corn Checkoff investments support research with agricultural experts and institutions, including work related to disease management, crop performance, grain quality, and profitability.

One example is ongoing research into vomitoxin, also known as DON, which can affect corn quality at harvest. Checkoff-supported work helps farmers better understand the disease, reduce risk, and respond when contamination occurs.

Improving Water Quality

Water quality remains an important priority for Ohio agriculture.

The Ohio Corn Checkoff has worked with growers and agricultural partners to support practices that can reduce nutrient loss, improve fertilizer management, and protect Ohio waterways while keeping farms productive.

The goal is to help growers find practical approaches that support both farm performance and long-term environmental stewardship.

Supporting Agricultural and Corn Education

Education helps connect farmers, teachers, students, consumers, and agricultural professionals with reliable information about modern corn production.

The Ohio Corn Checkoff supports educational resources and programs designed to explain how corn is grown, how it is used, and why agriculture remains important to Ohio communities.

One example is Feed the World, an Ohio Corn & Wheat education initiative that provides teachers with materials, workshops, and classroom resources related to agriculture and grain production.

Investing in corn education helps build stronger understanding between agriculture and the people who depend on it every day.

How Checkoff Investments Are Guided

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program is guided by a farmer-elected board.

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program Board is therefore a 15-farmer board representing districts across Ohio and helps decide how checkoff funds are invested. Board members serve three-year terms and help set priorities across areas such as market development, research, education, exports, and new uses for corn.

This farmer-led structure helps ensure that checkoff investments reflect the needs and opportunities facing Ohio corn growers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ohio Corn Marketing Program?

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program is a producer-funded program that uses Ohio Corn Checkoff investments to support market development, research, education, exports, ethanol, and other efforts that create value for Ohio corn growers.

What does the Ohio Corn Checkoff fund?

Checkoff dollars support initiatives such as corn exports, research, agricultural education, water quality, ethanol demand, and new uses for corn.

Who decides how checkoff dollars are invested?

A 15-member, farmer-elected Ohio Corn Marketing Program Board helps guide checkoff investments and program priorities.

How does the program support Ohio corn farmers?

The program works to create stronger markets, fund research, support education, and develop new demand for corn so growers have more opportunities to improve profitability and strengthen the future of their farms.

Building More Opportunities for Ohio Corn Growers

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program is focused on creating more value from every bushel and strengthening long-term opportunities for Ohio growers.

By investing checkoff dollars in market development, research, education, and new demand for corn, the program helps move Ohio agriculture forward while keeping farmer priorities at the center of those decisions.

Have questions about the Ohio Corn Marketing Program, checkoff investments, or current grower initiatives? Get in touch with the Ohio Corn & Wheat team.