The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) recently received a $99,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development division to help fund the development of a statewide system that will help farmers track their products from farm to market.

The system will be based on Identity Preservation, which is a relatively new concept to agriculture. Under such a system, farmers first try to maximize production results and increase quality during planting and harvesting.

Second, farmers work with certification agencies to verify how corn is planted, handled and stored. Finally, farmers cooperate through an information system to track their commodity.

"A system like this could open up new and different markets, and move a larger share of the food dollar back to the farmer," said Jamey Cline, director of value enhancement with the MCGA.

According to Cline, it will take several years to establish an identity preservation system.

"In the future, we may have genetically enhanced foods that offer health benefits to the consumer. This system would allow us to channel those foods to the correct markets," Cline said. "Conversely, some markets currently demand a nongenetically enhanced product. With an identity preservation system in place, we could better channel those products to those markets."

The recent grant was made possible through the USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant program, whose purpose is to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133