IL Corn Celebrates Father's Day Farm Family Photo Contest Winners

1st Place: Matt Boulds — Eldorado, IL

Matt Boulds farms in both Saline and Gallatin counties on land that's been in his family since 1951, when his grandpa started the operation. Matt's dad and uncle took over in 1990, and Matt has been farming alongside them since 2016, making him a third-generation farmer.

His winning photo captures a milestone moment: Matt and his son Lane during Lane's very first harvest.

After the kind of growing season Illinois farmers dealt with last year, Matt says he's most proud of how good this year's crops are looking.

When he's not in the field, you'll find him doing some local trucking, with a little '90s country playing in the cab.

2nd Place: Jolene Linker — Berlin Township, IL

Jolene's photo tells a story that spans continents and generations. Her husband, Will Linker, is a seventh-generation farmer, and their nine-year-old son Graham is already dreaming of becoming the eighth.

The photo she submitted captures four generations working together during last fall's harvest: Billy Linker (sixth generation), Will Linker (seventh generation), John Linker (who now lives in New Zealand but has flown home the past two years to help with harvest) and Graham in the front, representing the future of the Linker farm.

"Farming means family to us," Jolene said. "Continuing on the tradition set by our predecessors, working hard to preserve the land and position the operation for success for years to come."

When asked what their farm theme song would be if they had one their answer: "Good Day" by Brett Eldredge, a fitting reminder to head out with a positive attitude no matter what the day brings.

3rd Place: Angie Wietekamp-Franzen — McLean and DeWitt Counties, IL

Angie and her husband, Doug, farm corn and soybeans across McLean and DeWitt counties alongside Doug's father, Les. Their children, Noah and Ava, are also actively involved in the family farming operation.

Their photo shows Doug and their daughter Ava, now 17, working together on the farm when she was about four years old. It's long been one of the family's favorite photos, and this past spring they recreated it.

Behind the photo is a story of resilience. In July 2025, Angie was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Through it all, her family kept the farm running while helping her through treatment, and one year later, she's cancer free. "My family steps up and works together, whether that's loading the planter or bringing a meal to the field for all of us to eat together," Angie said. "That's very important to me, especially this past year."

Their operation is now in its seventh generation, with grandson Will already spending time on the farm. "It's become a way of life," Angie said. "The best life!"

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Corn, Onions and a Shared Passion: IL Corn TV Meets Peru

By Tara Desmond • July 9, 2026

When Shane Gray sat down with Monica Ognio for this episode of IL Corn TV , they quickly discovered they had more in common than corn and onions. Monica farms with her family in Lima, Peru, where they've grown onions for export for more than 40 years. Their operation also raises sweet potatoes, pecans, pomegranates, strawberries and grapes for pisco on land transformed from desert through reservoirs, wells and drip irrigation. "You can have on one side the whole desert, and then you turn to the other side," she says. A Shared Passion for Teaching and Farming Like Shane, Monica has balanced farming with a career in education, teaching at an international school. Their shared experiences led to a conversation about women in agriculture, global markets and what it takes to produce a high-quality crop. Monica joined the Global Farmer Network after a chance conversation during a farm visit and now connects with farmers worldwide to share ideas on food security, weather challenges and everyday farming solutions. "Having a firsthand connection with somebody... that's a privilege," she says. Farming Challenges Know No Borders With 2026 recognized as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Monica reflected on becoming a second-generation farmer and encouraged others to build strong teams and rely on trusted experts. "It doesn't matter your age, it doesn't matter the gender," she says. "If you really look at agriculture as an opportunity, there are lots of things that you can do." Many of the challenges she faces mirror those in Illinois, including unpredictable weather, rising input costs, pest pressure and meeting strict export standards where even a small blemish can keep an onion out of the international market. Watch or listen to the full conversation on IL Corn TV to hear more about farming Peru's desert coastline, exporting to a changing global market and the lessons Monica has learned along the way.