April - May Highlights Annual Report

Tara Desmond
January 6, 2026
  • Legislative Ag Day in Springfield
  • ICGA showed strong visibility at Ag Legislative Day, meeting directly with lawmakers and highlighting priorities like E15 expansion, lock & dam funding, property taxes, and conservation incentives. The event strengthened relationships with both new and veteran legislators.
  • Megan Dwyer Testifies in Washington, D.C.
  • Director of Conservation & Nutrient Stewardship for IL Corn (Megan Dwyer) delivered federal testimony to the Senate Agriculture Committee on conservation economics and voluntary, incentive-based programs—sharing real farmer examples and reinforcing ICGA’s credibility in national policy discussions.
  • On-Farm Legislative Visits
  • ICGA hosted spring farm visits to give lawmakers a firsthand look at cover crops, strip-till, nitrogen tools, and rural infrastructure needs. These visits remain one of ICGA’s most effective tools for connecting policy to real farm impact.
  • Ongoing Springfield Engagement
  • Throughout session, ICGA maintained regular contact with legislators on key issues including ethanol, property taxes, waterway infrastructure, and rural broadband.
IL Corn TVThumbnail
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
ISU student Jacob Edens shares how a childhood tractor ride sparked a farming passion, a Ford 8N restoration, and building ag community at college.
Dr. Laura Gentry
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
Dr. Laura Gentry named ADT President, helping ensure transparency in ag data and keeping farmers in control of how their data is used and protected.
Lena and Callahan
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
Illinois corn farmer and board director Lena Head celebrates her first Mother’s Day after welcoming baby Callahan during planting season.
thumbnail of Brandy
By Tara Desmond May 6, 2026
Illinois farmer Brandy shares growing up with a mother with schizophrenia, breaking stigma and calling for rural mental health awareness.
thumbnail of Lindsay and DeAnne
By Tara Desmond April 30, 2026
IL Corn TV sits down with DeAnne Bloomberg to reflect on nearly four decades of agricultural change, from the ethanol boom to her new role in community philanthropy.
5 Ag Students
By Tara Desmond April 30, 2026
Five Outstanding Students Named to Receive Support for Careers in Agriculture
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