Illinois Corn & Manufacturing: Partners in Progress

December 5, 2024

Mark Denzler, CEO of Illinois Manufacturers Association, spoke at last week's ICGA Annual Meeting. In this episode of IL Corn Connection, Denzler highlights the strong partnership between agriculture and manufacturing in Illinois. He shares challenges and opportunities, including energy policy, infrastructure, trade, and renewable energy’s impact on prime farmland. Denzler also emphasizes the importance of collaboration to address Illinois’ budget shortfall and prepare for future growth in sectors like technology and manufacturing. Tune in for insights on how these industries work symbiotically to strengthen Illinois’ economy.

thumbnail of aul
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Illinois waterways move over 70M tons of goods each year — including corn. 🚢🌽 Learn why aging locks & dams need urgent modernization.
video icons
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Watch the top 10 most-viewed videos of 2025, featuring farmer stories, trade insights, and the moments shaping Illinois agriculture.
icons floating above cornfield
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Explore the most-read Illinois corn stories of 2025, from policy and markets to innovation and farmer impact, plus weekly updates and member stories.
Mark Bunselmeyer
By Lyndi Allen December 30, 2025
Meet IL Corn Growers Association President, Mark Bunselmeyer of Decatur, IL. Mark farms in Macon County, where he grows corn and soybeans.
captain next to a tree
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
This season, we pulled together a few fun reminders of how corn connects farm life to Christmas traditions — both on and off the farm.
harvest
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
Illinois farmers and farm families were well represented in the 2025 Fields of Corn Photo Contest, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association.
Show More