Corn Congress to Capitol Hill

This week, farmer leaders of the IL Corn Growers Association advocated for their peers on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) also held its annual Corn Congress, where IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) leaders met with farmer leaders from other corn states to discuss policy priorities and goals.

IL Corn invited the 25 Illinois FFA Section Presidents to Washington, D.C., to meet with ICGA, ICMB, and industry partners to learn more about corn systems, strategies, and the various avenues that affect corn in agriculture.

The Illinois congressional delegation heard firsthand from Illinois corn farmers about the downturn in the agricultural economy. During IL Corn’s time in D.C., ICGA and Illinois FFA District Presidents (FFA) met with 17 congressmen and both Senators.

IL Corn's policy priorities for the 119th Congress in July 2026 focus on farm economy, trade, Farm Bill, renewable fuels, conservation, and lock and dams.

Farm Economy 

• Congress must protect our family farms amid declining commodity prices and destruction of corn demand. 
• Farm income is decreasing and so is the number of farms 
• Low commodity prices are hurting farmers as input costs remain high 
• Policy uncertainty limits demand growth 
• Illinois farmers seek profits from the market – not the government. Farmers need policies in place to bolster export and domestic demand while protecting the agriculture industry. 

Trade 

• Congress must ensure that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) gets a renewal.
• Congress must act to help farmers compete in the global marketplace by allowing farmers to access critical inputs and supporting a positive trade policy agenda that is mutually beneficial to farmers and their end customers. 

Farm Bill

• Senate must pass a bipartisan Farm Bill.

Renewable Fuels 

• Ethanol demand is declining while corn yields continue to increase, leading to financial losses for farmers 
• Senate must pass permanent, year-round E15
• ICGA supports both high octane fuel legislation and incentives for maritime and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) 

Conservation 

• ICGA wishes to work with the Congress and the appropriate agencies to protect profitable, resilient, and productive American farms  
• We support policies that help farmers overcome barriers to conservation adoption  
• Crop insurance integrations that improve resiliency on Illinois farms 
• Congressional support for flexible and voluntary conservation programs  

Lock and Dams 

• Enact fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Energy and Water Appropriations 
• Oppose any potential tolling, lockage fees, or other onerous charges for commercial users of waterway systems 

Illinois corn farmers and their representatives discussed how current laws affect their livelihoods and lives on the farm in rural Illinois. IL Corn will continue to advocate in Washington, D.C. We encourage our members to join us in our advocacy efforts through our political action committee (PAC) and call-to-actions (CTAs).