Illinois Farmers Share Conservation Story with Japanese Leaders and Media

Illinois corn farmers recently took part in a series of high-level conversations in Tokyo focused on U.S. corn and corn ethanol production, highlighting how on-farm conservation and efficiency support Japan’s long-term clean fuel goals.

The U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC) hosted a conference for representatives from Japanese government, industry, and media, where Illinois farmer and IL Corn Marketing Board Director Matt Raben and fellow farmer Shane Gray shared how they manage their operations to improve efficiency while producing high-quality, high-yielding corn. Their presentations focused on practical conservation practices, responsible input use, and continuous improvement on the farm.

Additional presentations from U.S. ethanol and biofuels experts explored carbon intensity modeling and ongoing efficiency gains at ethanol plants, helping connect on-farm practices to downstream fuel production.

USGBC also partnered with Nikkei Inc., one of the world’s most respected business news organizations, to host a separate conference that emphasized the human side of agriculture. During that event, Raben and Gray shared their family farming stories, discussed conservation efforts, and underscored the importance of the long-standing trade relationship between the United States and Japan. The conference included perspectives from Japanese industry leaders, academics, and regulators, with discussion centered on Japan’s clean fuel roadmap, including plans to adopt E10 by 2030 and E20 by 2040.

The visit concluded with meetings at a Japanese fuel distributor leading ethanol blending efforts and a tour of a new gas station offering E7, which has been well received by customers.

“Building trust starts with showing up and being transparent about how we farm,” says Raben. “Japan is one of our most important markets, and these conversations help demonstrate that Illinois farmers are committed to continuous improvement, conservation, and producing corn that supports their long-term energy and environmental goals.”

Engagements like these and ongoing collaboration with international partners remain a priority as Illinois corn farmers continue investing in relationships that strengthen demand and create opportunities in key global markets like Japan.

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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.