WASHINGTON, DC – The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) today announced it has joined the Monarch Collaborative, a group of scientists, conservationists, farmers, and private sector members working together to find solutions to strengthen monarch populations and habitat while maintaining thriving working lands. According to the US Department of Agriculture, monarch populations have decreased over the last two decades, in part due to reductions in available habitat and milkweed, which is the sole food source for monarch caterpillars. The project is facilitated by the Keystone Policy Center, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization.

The Monarch Collaborative consists of national organizations representing farmers, ranchers, and landowners; businesses working along the agricultural supply chain; researchers and academic institutions; federal and state entities; and conservation organizations.

“As stewards of the land across much of the monarch butterfly migration corridor, America’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses play an important role in habitat conservation efforts,” said Franklin Holley, director of the agriculture and food program at the Keystone Policy Center. “We look forward to working alongside America’s corn refiners to support the preservation of monarch butterfly habitat and sustainable monarch populations for years to come.”

“At CRA, we strive to be a forward-thinking in our focus on sustainability, and we are proud to join this unique initiative to protect the iconic Monarch species,” said John Bode, President and CEO of CRA. “Our members are eager to support monarch butterfly habitats to ensure their presence for future generations of farm kids. The Keystone Policy Center is the perfect place to seek such solutions, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address some of the nation’s most imposing challenges.”

CRA is committed to serving member companies as they strive for sustainability in all aspects of their operations, balancing economic viability, environmental impact, and societal benefits.  That is why CRA serves as a leading voice in a broad range of industry and environmental coalitions focused on sustainability across the corn value chain.

For additional information, please visit: https://corn.org/corn-refiners-monarch/  

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.