August - September Highlights Annual Report

Major Presence at the Illinois State Fair
ICGA had a strong, visible presence throughout the Illinois State Fair, engaging with members, partners, and lawmakers. During Fair Week, ICGA staff and farmer leaders met with numerous Illinois state legislators to build relationships and discuss key state-level priorities such as regulatory certainty, rural economic development, infrastructure needs, conservation cost-share programs, and the importance of keeping agriculture competitive in Illinois.
Farm Progress Show Engagement
August also included significant outreach at the Farm Progress Show, where ICGA directors and staff met with farmers, industry partners, and policymakers. Conversations centered on conservation programs, ethanol demand, ag workforce needs, and the farm financial outlook — reinforcing ICGA’s work across policy, market development, and conservation adoption.
Preparation for Fall Session
Heading into the fall, the policy team continued its groundwork for Springfield’s veto session and maintained federal conversations.
IL Corn Testifies on Urgent Need for Mississippi River Infrastructure Upgrades
ICGA farmer leader Mark Bunselmeyer testified before the Mississippi River Commission, urging federal leaders to accelerate long-delayed upgrades to Lock 25 and the broader NESP system. He emphasized that nearly half of Illinois corn depends on the river, and decades of farmer advocacy and investment have been met with stalled progress and soaring project costs. Mark called for consistent funding, streamlined Corps processes, and greater input from river users to ensure a modern, reliable waterway system that Illinois farm families and the national economy depend on.

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drone image don meyer farm tornado amboy il 2023

Record Year of Illinois Tornadoes: Hear One Farmer's 2023 Story

By Pearl McDade • July 8, 2026

Don Meyer's 2023 tornado recovery offers lessons in resilience and optimism after disaster.

Setting the Record Straight on Ethanol: A Conversation with Brian West

By Tara Desmond • July 2, 2026

E15, E20, E30: What the Research Really Shows

Illinois Agri-Women Honor Three Legacy Farm Families for Generations of Women in Agriculture

By Penny Lauritzen - Illinois Agri-Women • July 2, 2026

Illinois Agri-Women names three Legacy Farm Families for GoAg3, honoring generations of women in agriculture at an August 21 celebration.

Meet Matt Boucher: Fourth-Gen Farmer, Cover Crop Expert

By Tara Desmond • July 2, 2026

Meet Matt Boucher of Boucher Family Farms in Dwight, IL — a 4th-gen farmer using cover crops, custom application & more. Read his story.

U.S. Capitol with “FARM BILL” text overlayed on the left

Senate Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Draft

By Lyndi Allen • July 2, 2026

Chairman John Boozman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released a Farm Bill discussion draft on June 23, 2026.

45Z is Taking Shape – Here’s What It Means for Corn Farmers

By Lyndi Allen • July 2, 2026

USDA's Regenerative Feedstock Rule provides important certainty for farmers as they begin making crop and input decisions. IL Corn has identified what it could mean for corn farmers.