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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Lessons from a Legend: A Conversation with Mark Lambert

By Tara Desmond • March 26, 2026

IL Corn's Mark Lambert reflects on decades of ag communications from stealing the office computer to Captain Corn and DC Metro takeovers.

I Lost My Foot in a Grain Bin: Oliver's Story

By Tara Desmond • March 26, 2026

Marine veteran Oliver Kragelund lost his foot in a grain bin accident in Illinois. Now he's turning that tragedy into a mission for agricultural safety.

Evan Marr, Dan Parker, Don Guinnip, Tim Thompson, Marty Marr at Illinois Capitol

Corn Farmers Attend Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day

By Lyndi Allen • March 26, 2026

The 56th Annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day was held on Tuesday, March 24. ICGA leaders attended the event, then met with eight key legislators to discuss IL Corn’s priorities.

A red tractor with a large sprayer attachment moves through a field of green corn plants on a cloudy day.

Ag Groups Urge Action on Phosphate Fertilizer Duties Impacting Farmers

By Lyndi Allen • March 26, 2026

Ag Groups Urge Action on Phosphate Fertilizer Duties Impacting Farmers, filed a letter with the Department of Commerce and the nation's two largest fertilizer producers

A hand reaches for a gas pump nozzle at a station with fuel grade buttons labeled 87, 89, and 91.

EPA Releases E15 Waiver Statement, Farmers Call for Year-Round E15

By Lyndi Allen • March 26, 2026

The U.S. EPA announced on March 25, 2026, that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend

Corn Farmers Appreciate E15 Waiver Statement, Call for Permanent, Year-Round E15

By Lyndi Allen • March 26, 2026

ICGA Statement on E15 Waiver