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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Green combine harvester in a harvested field under a cloudy sky

Farm Earnings Improve, but Tight Margins Remain

By Lyndi Allen • September 23, 2026

Illinois farmers saw their earnings improve in 2025, but the latest data shows that farm profitability remains well below recent averages.

Dolly Parton Maze from All Seasons Orchard

IL Corn TV: A Dolly Parton Corn Maze Brings Families Back to the Farm

By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026

A Woodstock, IL farm's Dolly Parton corn maze is one of 18 nationwide honoring the icon and benefiting her Imagination Library literacy program.

farmer next to engine with headphones on

Untreated Hearing Loss & Dementia

By Tamara H. Thompson • September 22, 2026

Untreated hearing loss strains and shrinks the brain and drives social isolation, raising the risk of dementia but early treatment with hearing aids or other devices can help protect against it.

Farmer's Stroke Story: Why He Almost Didn't Go to the ER

By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026

A farmer's stroke went unnoticed until family and coworkers insisted he get help. His Safety Week story on why every minute matters

Sen. Celina Villenueva, Chris Gould, Orlando Rojas, Ambassador Reyna Torres

IL Corn Celebrates Latino Contributions to Agriculture

By Lyndi Allen • September 18, 2026

IL Corn joined partners and community leaders highlight the role of the Latino community in Illinois agriculture and labor.

Tugboat pushing a barge along a river at sunset, with a bridge in the background.

House Passes WRDA 2026, Advancing Inland Waterways Construction Office

By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026

The House of Representatives took an important step towards strengthening the nation’s inland waterways by passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026