Abby Coers’ Ag Comm Journey: Starting with IL Corn, Soaring with Central Illinois Ag

Jennie Abbott
June 26, 2025

How IL Corn Empowered One Intern to Lead in Ag Storytelling

Abby Coers

In the summer of 2010, while many college students were reporting to office cubicles, Abby Coers was carving her own path, interning remotely for IL Corn. This unique experience became the foundation of a successful and fulfilling career in agricultural communications.


IL Corn tasked her with representing Illinois agriculture online in her own unique way.


Social media was still very new. Coers didn’t even own a smartphone until the following year. But that didn’t stop her from diving headfirst into the digital world.

“Back then, no one really knew how to use social media strategically,” Coers said. “IL Corn gave me the opportunity to learn by doing.”


Coers chose to focus on social media strategy and blogging. The internship offered her a unique opportunity to experiment, build, and learn from scratch how to successfully utilize social media as a marketing tool.


She launched a Facebook page called Agriculture Everyday to promote agriculture to the public.


It didn’t take long for Coers to realize that effective social media was more than just posting pictures, it required thought, timing, and a clear strategy.

“You have to figure out how to reach your audience and get the most out of every post,” she said. “That’s something I learned early on from IL Corn, and I still use it today.”

Beyond the technical skills, the internship helped Coers grow professionally. She learned how to communicate effectively through writing and how to present herself in a professional digital space.


One of her key takeaways was professionalism in communication means knowing your audience, delivering value, and using critical thinking skills.

Fast forward more than a decade, and Coers has transformed that hands-on training into a successful career. She has been with Central Illinois Ag for 12 years, where she leads all social media efforts and oversees creating the company’s publication: Live. Work. Grow.


Her work includes photography, journalism, and design, developing impactful campaigns, and sharing real stories of farmers and ag business owners from the ag community.


“I love my job. It is so much fun,” she said.


In addition to her love for the creative side, Coers understands the importance of results.


“At the end of the day, you have to look at the analytics,” she said. “Is what you’re doing working? What do you need to change? That analytical mindset started with IL Corn.”


“Social media has changed so much, but I still utilize the skills and knowledge I gained from IL Corn,” she says. “That internship laid the groundwork for my communication skills.”


From a remote intern to a professional ag communicator, Coers’ journey is a testament to the power of early opportunity, self-motivation, and the value of an organization that believes in its interns.


Group at NCERC
By Brownfield Ag October 23, 2025
Turning Corn into Opportunity: Breakthrough Research from NCERC
Shane and Charlie
By Tara Desmond October 23, 2025
Trust Starts with Listening: Lessons from the Center for Food Integrity
nitrogen
By Tara Desmond October 23, 2025
If you’re sweating in a hoodie, your nitrogen’s probably sweating too.
Black cow grazing in a green field, cornfield in the background, wind turbine, cloudy blue sky.
By Lyndi Allen October 23, 2025
U.S. cattle farmers are pushing back against a new plan to import more beef from Argentina, warning it threatens American livelihoods while doing little to help consumers.
Combine harvester at sunset, harvesting crops, with orange and yellow sky.
By Lyndi Allen October 23, 2025
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that its Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will resume “core” operations beginning October 23rd, 2025.
Head Farm
By Tara Desmond October 16, 2025
In today’s world, most people are several generations removed from the farm but that doesn’t mean they aren’t curious about where their food comes from. The Illinois Farm Families (IFF) Ambassador Program was designed to bridge that gap.
Show More