IL Corn Leaders Honored with Prestigious National FFA Award

IL Corn’s Executive Director, Rodney Weinzierl, and Managing Director, Jim Tarmann, were each awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on October 31.

This distinguished honor is one of the highest recognitions presented by the National FFA Organization, celebrating individuals who have provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education, and the FFA on a national scale.

“Jim Tarmann is more than a supporter,” said Mindy Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the Illinois FFA. “He is a champion of FFA leadership development. Each year, he is revered by the Illinois FFA leadership team for the profound impact he has on their growth as advocates for agriculture. His service has strengthened the entire organization. His role in their leadership journey is a game-changer.”

Bunselmeyer added, “Rod’s leadership has directly strengthened FFA’s mission by providing students with real-world experiences that prepare them for careers in agriculture. His efforts have helped shape the next generation of agricultural leaders and advocates, ensuring FFA members have the tools, knowledge, and connections to influence agricultural policy and industry advancements.”

Through the leadership of Weinzierl and Tarmann, and with support from the Illinois corn checkoff, IL Corn has developed an innovative program that helps Illinois FFA leaders apply their agricultural education in real-world settings. The program enables all Illinois FFA section presidents and the six major state officers to travel to Washington, D.C., where they meet with trade associations, government agencies, and decision makers. These experiences build confidence in our youth while deepening the understanding of agriculture’s role in local communities, in Illinois, and in our nation.

Following the program, many student leaders are inspired to pursue internships in Springfield, IL, or Washington, D.C. They see opportunities for themselves to continue advocating for agriculture and representing Illinois farmers at every level of government.

“Building the FFA to DC program and leading our future leaders around Washington, D.C. once a year has been the highlight of my career,” said Tarmann. “On the last day, we gather with students to reflect on their ‘best thing’ from the trip. There’s always laughter about funny metro rides or memorable meetings, but my favorite moments are when a student shares an ‘a-ha’ moment. You can literally see their growth over just a few days.”

“I feel optimistic about the future of agriculture after spending time with the section presidents and state officers of Illinois FFA,” commented Weinzierl. “These students are truly the cream of the crop. They represent Illinois agriculture with pride and professionalism and have certainly earned our investment in them.”

Beyond the FFA to DC program, IL Corn’s commitment to Illinois FFA extends further—sponsoring polos for members, supporting a vehicle for the state officer team, and serving on the Illinois FFA Foundation Board.

If you’d like to help IL Corn continue supporting the Illinois FFA, consider becoming a member. For every three-year membership or renewal, IL Corn donates $25 to the Illinois FFA.

*New photos coming soon

Rodney Weinzierl

Executive Director of IL Corn

Rodney, Kenneth, and Jim

Rodney Weinzierl, Kenneth Hartmann, Jr., and Jim Tarmann received their Honorary FFA American Degree on October 31 at the FFA National Convention. Weinzierl and Tarmann are IL Corn employees and Hartmann is a past IL Corn and current National Corn Growers Association farmer leader. IL Corn is proud of the exemplary leadership shown by our staff and farmer volunteers!

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From the Archives to the Field: A Student's Take on Illinois Corn History

By Tara Desmond • June 11, 2026

How much do you know about the farmers who came before you and the decisions that still shape Illinois agriculture today? That's what University of Illinois student Lyndon Shi set out to explore during his internship with IL Corn . What began as an archival research project became a deeper look at the history of farmer leadership, innovation and advocacy in Illinois. While digging through university archives, Lyndon uncovered an undigitized manuscript from agricultural economist Harold Guither explaining the case for checkoffs. When he mentioned the discovery to IL Corn Director Rod Weinzierl, he got an unexpected response: "Oh yeah, I know him. We worked with him." It was a reminder that agricultural history isn't as distant as it may seem. Lyndon's research connected two eras of the IL Corn Growers Association: the original organization founded in the 1890s and the modern ICGA established in the 1970s. He learned how University of Illinois agriculture dean Eugene Davenport helped organize corn growers and sent professors across the state on "Corn Gospel Trains" to share the latest farming research. One story stood out in particular: the adoption of hybrid corn. Farmers who once judged corn by the appearance of the ear had to shift their focus to yield. Lyndon sees a similar transition today, as farmers increasingly balance yield with profitability amid rising input costs. "Illinois corn farmers are very good at organizing, and they are genuinely very grassroots," Lyndon said. "They've had a much more active role in shaping policy rather than just being on the receiving end." This Summer and Fall, Lyndon will travel to Taiwan on a federal scholarship to study food security. He'll do so with a new appreciation for Illinois agriculture's global connections, including Taiwan's longstanding role as an important trading partner. Watch the full conversation on IL Corn TV to hear Lyndon's research firsthand and discover how Illinois corn's history continues to influence the future.