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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Five Years at IL Corn: What I’ve Learned, the Myths I’ve Busted, and Why I Own a Corn Dress

By Tara Desmond • October 16, 2026

Five years at IL Corn with farming, farmers, corn, and storytelling—with a few hot dogs, viral videos, and plenty of Midwestern waves.

Mexican CANAMI (National Chamber of Industrialized Corn) members at Illinois farm

IL Corn Welcomes Mexican Millers to Illinois Farms

By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026

IL Corn & USGBC hosted Mexican masa millers on southern Illinois farms and river terminals, strengthening ties with our top corn customer.

Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program Opens for 2026–2027 Season

By IDOA & Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026

Pre-enrollment opens Nov. 30 for IDOA’s Fall Covers for Spring Savings program, worth up to $5/acre off 2027 crop insurance premiums.

What’s Really Driving Your Fertilizer Bill? StoneX’s Josh Linville Explains

By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026

What’s really driving your fertilizer bill? StoneX’s Josh Linville breaks down global supply, competition, and the long-term fix on IL Corn TV.

Illinois Farmers Can Now Add Conservation Terms to Leases With Free Templates

By Tara Desmond, Megan Dwyer and Brownfield Ag • October 15, 2026

Illinois Corn and U of I built lease addenda to help farmers and landowners build cover crops, soil health and nutrient goals into rental agreements.

Meet IFCA President Jenny Webb

By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026

Jenny Webb has spent her career in Illinois agriculture. Now she’s about three months into a new job as president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), the group that represents the ag retailers, applicators and suppliers who get fertilizer and crop protection products to your farm when you need them. Webb came to IFCA from Illinois Farm Bureau. She’s new to the fertilizer and chemical side of the business, but not to farmers or to the policy and regulatory issues that affect them. IL Corn sat down with her to talk about what she’s learned so far, the issues facing Illinois ag retailers, and why the work happening behind the scenes deserves more credit than it gets.