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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Greg Goodwin Elected President of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership is a collaborative network of organizations working together to advance sustainable agriculture across the state.

Shadow of a dome-shaped building cast over a cornfield at sunset.

Farm Bill 2.0 Passed Out of House Ag Committee

By Lindsay Croke • March 5, 2026

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture discussed farm policy at length, debating amendments and working towards a bill that passed out of Committee in the early hours of March 5, 2026.

From Ancestral Genomes to Modern Fields: Researching Corn’s Roots to Improve Nitrogen Efficiency

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

PhD research explores ancestral corn genetics and the maize microbiome to improve nitrogen efficiency and sustainability in modern corn production.

Greg and Janis Thoren to Receive Illinois Leopold Conservation Award

By Sand County Foundation • March 5, 2026

Greg and Janis Thoren are the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award®.

ICGA Statement on Fertilizer Pricing Investigation

By Lyndi Allen • March 5, 2026

Upon reading the Bloomberg report of a potential investigation into fertilizer prices, ICGA President and Illinois farmer Mark Bunselmeyer releases statement.

Illinois Musician Cody Diekhoff Talks Farming Roots

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

Chicago Farmer joins IL Corn TV to discuss farming roots, storytelling, Midwest life and the parallels between agriculture and music.