Checkoff vs. Association: How Wisconsin Dollars Are Used
Wisconsin corn farmers are served by two separate organizations that share staff and an office but are funded differently and held to different rules. The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) runs the state corn checkoff. The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA) is a voluntary, dues-paying membership group. The biggest difference is simple: checkoff dollars cannot be used to lobby, and WCGA dollars can.
Why two organizations
We keep these two organizations apart on purpose. The checkoff is collected from every grower who sells corn, so the law limits it to work that benefits all growers: research, promotion, education and market development. Taking a position with lawmakers is a choice, so that work is paid for only by farmers who choose to join WCGA. Keeping the money separate protects the checkoff and keeps our advocacy accountable to our members.
| Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) | Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA) | |
| What it is | The state corn checkoff board, set up under a state marketing order | A voluntary farmer membership association |
| Legal basis | Wis. Stat. ch. 96 and the corn marketing order (Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 143) | Private nonprofit; set by its own bylaws |
| Who pays | Every grower who sells Wisconsin corn into commercial channels | Only farmers and supporters who choose to join |
| How it is collected | Half a cent ($0.005) per bushel, deducted by the elevator or buyer at the point of sale | Annual membership dues paid directly to WCGA |
| Size | About $1.7 million a year | Set by membership and dues |
| Can a farmer opt out? | Yes, by requesting a refund within 90 days of the assessment | Yes, by not joining or not renewing |
| Who governs | Nine grower directors elected by fellow growers | Grower board elected by WCGA members |
| Oversight | Regulated by DATCP; budget, contracts and annual reports are public record | Answers to its members |
| Main job | Research, promotion, education and market development | Policy advocacy and lobbying at the state and federal level |
| Can it lobby? | NO | YES |
What checkoff dollars can pay for
State law says checkoff money may be spent only on running the program and the marketing order itself (Wis. Stat. 96.16). For WCPB, that means work that builds demand and value for every bushel:
- Research: agronomy, water quality and nutrient research, new uses for corn
- Market development: export work through partners like the U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation, and building demand from ethanol and livestock
- Education: teacher and student materials, Follow the Kernel, FFA and consumer outreach
- Producer information: telling growers what their checkoff is doing, such as the Checkoff Check-In series
The checkoff can share facts and research results with anyone, including lawmakers. What it cannot do is ask them to vote a certain way.
What checkoff dollars cannot pay for
Checkoff dollars cannot be used to lobby. Wisconsin’s rule for all marketing boards, ATCP 140.47, bars WCPB from spending money to influence state or federal legislation or rulemaking. In practice, checkoff dollars cannot pay for:
- Lobbyists, or staff time spent lobbying
- Asking lawmakers or agencies to support, oppose or change a bill or rule
- Comments on rules that are not about the corn marketing order itself
- Candidate endorsements, campaign contributions or any election activity
- Fly-ins or Capitol visits where the purpose is to push a policy position
The rule allows a few narrow exceptions: publishing information about WCPB’s own programs and results, and talking with state officials about changes to the corn marketing order itself. The same rule also bars ads that make false claims or run down another farm product, spending that mainly benefits one private interest, and promoting private brands.
Shared staff, separate books. Because one staff serves both organizations, we track time and costs so that any lobbying or political work is charged to WCGA, never to the checkoff.
What WCGA membership dues pay for
WCGA is the voice of Wisconsin corn growers in Madison and Washington, and member dues are what make that possible. Dues and other non-checkoff dollars pay for:
- Our contract lobbyists at The Welch Group and staff time on legislative work
- Our work with the Wisconsin Ag Coalition
- Testimony, meetings with legislators and comments on DNR and DATCP rules
- State legislative priorities and member Capitol and D.C. visits
- Representing Wisconsin in the National Corn Growers Association policy process
- Candidate endorsements and other political activity
No checkoff money goes into this work. Every dollar of WCGA advocacy comes from farmers who chose to join.
One issue, two roles
Most issues touch both organizations, each with its own purpose of outreach.
| Issue | What WCPB (checkoff) can do | What WCGA (dues) does |
| E15 / year-round ethanol | Fund ethanol research, retailer and consumer education, fuel promotions | Lobby Congress and EPA for permanent year-round E15 |
| Water quality (NR 140) | Fund nutrient and water research, share results | Testify and comment on DNR groundwater rules |
| Trade (USMCA) | Fund export market development through U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council | Urge lawmakers and USTR to protect corn markets |
| Farm Bill | Educate growers on programs once they are law | Lobby for crop insurance and farm program priorities |
The research and education the checkoff pays for often gives WCGA the facts it needs. That is fine. The line is crossed only when checkoff dollars pay for the ask itself.
The bottom line
Your checkoff builds markets and funds research. Your WCGA membership is what gets corn growers heard by lawmakers. If you want a say in the policies that affect your farm, the checkoff alone can’t do it. Join WCGA at wicorn.org/growers/join-member-benefits/ or call us at 262-372-3289.