From the Ground Up: Celebrating Ashley Deal’s Decade at IL Corn

Ashley Reflects on Building Relationships and Growing Grassroots

This year marks a major milestone for Ashley Deal, our Membership and Grassroots Advocacy Manager, 10 years of service. From launching innovative programs that connect members to Washington, D.C., to deepening relationships across Illinois’ farming communities, Ashley’s leadership has strengthened the heart of our organization: our people.

We sat down with her to reflect on a decade of growth, impact, and meaningful moments.

Q: Looking back over the past 10 years, what are you most proud of in your role as Membership and Grassroots Advocacy Manager?
A: I’m proud of the new ideas and programs I’ve contributed to our organization like launching the original cover crop coupon program, deploying our calls to action through text messages, and developing the GROW program (GrassRoots Orientation to Washington, D.C.). These all directly serve our IL Corn members and build relationships – that’s what I’m here for!

Q: Can you share a moment when you really felt the impact of your work (either with members, farmers, or advocacy efforts)?
A: I feel the culmination of my work every time I’m in Washington, D.C. because I help to organize. I get to introduce new farmer-advocates to what IL Corn does while we’re out there -- take meetings to expand our knowledge, network with industry, agency, and governmental leaders, advocate for policy to improve or maintain our livelihood. I facilitate relationships between farmer-members and our elected officials. Ultimately, I believe that I help to provide an experience that can shape an individual’s core values while benefiting Midwest agriculture as a whole.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out in this field?
A: Bipartisanism is the key to successful relationships. Everyone’s opinions and values are valid – it’s about finding the common ground so you can work together effectively to do the most good.

Q: What’s a memorable story or interaction with a member that’s stuck with you?
A: I love interacting with our members, be it face-to-face at an event or over the phone. Once, an elderly gentleman called to change his mailing address and we got to talking about that being the area I grew up in. It turned out he knew my grandfather (whom I never met)! He praised our small-town, family-owned implement dealership and said that Granddad “was the best parts guy around!” That warmed my heart and made me proud to be part of the ag community, even though I wasn’t raised on a farm.

Q: Who or what has been a big influence on your success here?
  A: Several coworkers have helped me grow in various ways over the past decade at IL Corn, but I consider my supervisor, Jim Tarmann, to be one of my best mentors. He has always encouraged me to try new things and add my own spin to it. He’s never been stingy about offering up experiences to me. He tolerates my extreme planning tendencies and celebrates with me when I pull something off last minute (because of course I freaked out to him about how there was no way I could get it done). He keeps me grounded and we are a good team.

Q: What does the word “membership” mean to you after 10 years in this role?
  A: Membership is an outward display of a person’s commitment to the overarching goals of the group. Whether you are a member of your church, a volunteer group, or in our case, a political advocacy organization representing corn farmers in Illinois, a member is investing in the beliefs of that group and helping to propel them forward for the good of the whole.

From the very beginning, Ashley has brought her passion for relationships, strategic mindset, and unwavering work ethic to IL Corn. Her work continues to bridge the gap between farmers and policymakers, strengthen our grassroots network, and inspire the next generation of advocates.