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President Trump signed the USMCA trade agreement on Wednesday finalizing a deal that will promote agriculture and industry. A list of statements from various politicians and organizations can be found below: Cheri Bustos: Darin LaHood: NCGA: Brownfield:

BLOOMINGTON, ILL., January 28, 2020 – During the biggest game in football, IL Corn is going on offense to remind consumers around the state that Illinois runs on homegrown corn. Viewers in major Illinois TV markets can look for Illinois corn farmers during the Feb. 2 game’s commercial breaks. A 30-second “Illinois Runs on Homegrown Corn” commercial will showcase the Swanson family, one of the more than 100,000 farmers in Illinois who grow corn, a product that drives our state’s economy.

Bloomington Ill. - Illinois Corn is hiring for the position of Biofuels and Public Policy Manager. The Biofuels Programs & Public Policy Manager directs and facilitates the policy development process and represents corn growers and their policy positions at state and federal levels. The position is responsible for issues management and effective communications to key audiences, especially grower members. This position will also gain and disseminate technical knowledge on all aspects of ethanol relative to policy, market development efforts to create demand. Those interested should apply here

Surveys indicate that Illinois corn farmers become members in the Illinois Corn Growers Association for better representation in Springfield, IL and Washington, DC. With that in mind, ICGA farmer leaders and staff will make the following our top priorities for 2020. FEDERAL: Finalize U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) for trade Pass a low carbon, high octane standard for fuel Secure funds for pre-engineering and design work for one lock on the Illinois or Mississippi River Lucky for Illinois farmers, finalizing USMCA is nearly complete! With action in the House late in 2019 and a Senate nod in early 2020, this ever so important trade agreement is only awaiting a signature from the President.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Following the Senate vote to pass the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) for trade, Illinois Corn Growers Association President Bill Leigh, a farmer from Minonk, made the following statement: “Every step toward USMCA passage is cause for celebration! Trade with Mexico and Canada is a vital part of the market for Illinois corn, with both countries making up 25-30% of corn sales leaving the country. ICGA would like to thank our Senators, Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin, for their vote in support of the agreement as well as the entire United States Senate for their bipartisan and overwhelming support.”

The news of China signing Phase One of a trade agreement came as a welcome sight to farmers and those across the agriculture industry. The main headlines include top-line figures but after sitting down and discussing things with Collin Waters, Director of Exports and Logistics he wanted to make some points and bring attention to things that he thought were also important for farmers to understand. Structural changes will be made that will also have an impact on farmers the first dealing with dried distillers grains and dried distillers grains soluble (DDG/DDGS). China has agreed to streamline the import process of this product and will not require audits of manufacturing facilities as a condition of registration. They are also expediting the import licensure.

Across the globe a million water bottles are bought every minute with 91% never being recycled. We have come to realize we use too much plastic. Now is the time to switch to renewable resources. Corn can help do that.  Alexis Hartman, college student and Illinois farmer, says, “Imagine one day if every plastic water bottle could be made out of corn.” This exciting video is part of a docuseries of videos helping farmers and non-farmers talk about important ag issues featured on the Illinois Farm Families website. Check out this infographic highlighting the benefits of plastic made from corn!