Conservation Practice Adoption a Focus During Rep Budzinski Visit to Illinois Farm

April 25, 2024
A collage of photos of a group of people standing next to each other in a room.

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski visited the Bob and Mark Bunselmeyer Farm in Maroa, IL this week to learn more from Illinois farmers about conservation practice adoption. The visit featured an opportunity for the congresswoman to talk with Precision Conservation Management (PCM), IL Corn, and PepsiCo, an important PCM partner. 

 

To accomplish its sustainability goals, PepsiCo’s approach is to source crops and ingredients in a way that accelerates regenerative agriculture and strengthens farming communities. PepsiCo is one of the first major consumer packaged goods companies to work directly with farmers to create positive environmental change. 

Upon hearing the U.S. EPA announcement that it will issue a temporary waiver allowing access to lower-cost, lower-emission E15, the IL Corn Growers Association President Dave Rylander from Victoria issued the following statement:

 

“Increased access to higher blends of ethanol is a big win for everyone in Illinois. Of course, I think about corn farmers in Illinois and they will benefit from additional gallons of ethanol sold in our state and nation. However, non-farmers in our state will also feel good about the lower cost of E15 and the smaller environmental impact.

 

“We appreciate the U.S. EPA for issuing this temporary waiver allowing everyone the choice to fill up with E15 or Unleaded 88, a blended fuel of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent petroleum fuel.

 

“There is a permanent fix for this problem sitting in Congress right now called the Next Generation Fuels Act. The bill permanently fixes this E15 access issue, while also cleaning up our transportation sector by allowing the use of homegrown, renewable fuels. The Next Generation Fuels Act will protect consumer choice to buy the cars you want to buy and have access to the fuels you need, without compromising our country’s greenhouse gas emissions goals. This bill remains a top priority for IL Corn.”

 

###

 

About the IL Corn Growers Association

IL Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, maintaining a high profile on issues in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL. Through grassroots advocacy, ICGA creates a future for Illinois farmers in which they can operate freely, responsibly, and successfully. In order to fulfill this mission, the organization conducts governmental affairs activities at all levels, market development projects, and educational and member service programs. For further information regarding their work and involvement, visit their website www.ilcorn.org.

Green U.S. map with corn stalk connected to a gas pump, representing biofuel.
By Lindsay Croke January 22, 2026
Farmers have been advocating for access to E15 year-round for 15 years. Congress must act to change the policy language, but has failed to act yet again.
a gas pump pou
By Lindsay Croke January 22, 2026
Illinois corn farmers urge Congress to act on year-round E15 access, calling inaction on ethanol policy a missed chance to support farmers and rural communities.
thumbnail of Ava on IL Corn TV
By Tara Desmond January 22, 2026
Illinois Agri-Women is honoring multi-generational farm families led by women. Watch the story + learn how to apply
yuton
By Tara Desmond January 21, 2026
Meet Joe Williams, location manager at Yuton Grain Elevator, and learn how logistics, teamwork, and relationships keep McLean County grain moving.
Rob Park
By Tara Desmond January 21, 2026
Seventh-generation McLean County farmer Rob Park shares how strip-till, nitrogen efficiency, and innovation drive high yields while doing more with less.
Family portrait with children, animals, and related activities, displayed in a collage.
By Lyndi Allen January 20, 2026
Bryan Tomm, the newly elected director representing District 13, encompassing Clay, Edwards, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties for the ICGA.
Show More