January-March Highlights Annual Report

Rod Weinzierl Testifies in Washington, D.C.
ICGA Executive Director Rod Weinzierl provided federal testimony in the House Agriculture Committee, delivering firsthand insight on farmer economics, transportation challenges, and biofuels policy.
His testimony reinforced ICGA’s leadership role on national issues and brought Illinois farmers’ priorities directly to federal decision-makers.
E15 in Illinois
EPA’s summer waiver permitted E15 sales in Illinois throughout the 2025 driving season.
While this supports ethanol demand and consumer choice, the waiver is temporary. IL Corn continues advocating for a permanent, nationwide fix.
Strong Federal Advocacy Presence
ICGA leaders participated in a major Washington, D.C. fly-in, meeting with 17 Congressional offices and 50+ partners, embassies, and agencies.
ICGA brought new farmer voices into the GR.O.W. (GrassRoots Orientation to Washington DC) leadership program, building long-term advocacy capacity.
Discussions centered on: the severe ag economic downturn, ethanol policy, lock and dam modernization, and conservation funding.
ICGA helped support and participate in the Illinois Future of Fuels: Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Beyond Conference, ensuring Illinois corn farmers were represented on stage as key contributors to the growing SAF economy. The event brought together airlines, fuel producers, manufacturers, and state leaders to discuss Illinois’s competitive advantage — including its SAF tax incentive, strong ag supply chain, and carbon-reduction potential. ICGA’s involvement positioned corn growers at the center of future low-carbon fuel markets and highlighted the new opportunities SAF could bring to rural Illinois.

IL Corn in DC

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Group of people in suits posing in a room with blue walls, two leather chairs in the foreground.

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

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Rod Testifying

Stark beauty of desolate dunes

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Two men in suits stand in a room, beneath a screen displaying

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Woman in glasses smiles, resting hand on cheek, talking with a person, seated indoors.

Three people at a podium with a US Grains Council backdrop. A man holds an award; all are smiling.

Two men shaking hands in a hotel lobby. One wears a patterned blazer, the other a navy blazer. Both smile.

Three people at US Grains Council event: man holding plaque, flanked by two others. Background banner.

Group of people posing on a stage, with a green backdrop. Some are wearing suits, smiling.

Two men posing, smiling, inside a crowded event space, banner reads

Two women smiling, posing for a photo. One in a red blazer, the other in a black blazer. Striped shirts, black pants, patterned floor.

Panel of men in suits on stage; event backdrop with corn.

Two men in suits shaking hands in a room with red walls, a sofa, and artwork.

Three people smiling at a formal event, woman in red blazer and necklace, man in suit and tie.

Group of people in suits posing near an American flag.

Group of people posing on steps in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

Group of people in a room, posing for a photo. There's a flag, shelves, and a TV on the wall.

Man speaking at a podium, wearing a suit and tie, with a blue background.

Panel of men sitting on stage at a conference, facing the audience, blue backdrop.

Two men in suits holding an award. One man is smiling and holding the plaque.

Two men holding plaques, smiling in front of a curtain. One wears a red tie, the other a blue tie.

Group poses with plaque on stage; man holds plaque, others smile.

Group of seven people posing with an award in a formal setting.

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The United States Capitol building featuring its iconic white dome against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Illinois Corn Farmers Advocate in Washington D.C.

By Lyndi Allen • March 19, 2026

The Illinois congressional delegation understands Illinois corn farmers’ priorities and challenges better this week after meeting with ICGA leaders in Washington, D.C.

IL Corn Launches Monarch Program to Support Pollinators

By Tara Desmond • March 19, 2026

Illinois corn farmers can request free milkweed seed through IL Corn’s Monarch Program to help restore habitat and support monarch butterflies.

From Erosion Control to Soil Health: The Value of Cover Crops

By Tara Desmond • March 19, 2026

Farmer and agronomist David Kleinschmidt shares how cover crops help reduce erosion, improve soil health and how farmers can get started.

Inside the Elevator: Meet Julie Day from TopFlight Grain

By Tara Desmond • March 12, 2026

Meet Julie Day in our Inside the Elevator series as she shares her journey to TopFlight Grain and what it takes to handle 42 million bushels during harvest.

Soil Health Without Sacrificing Profit

By Tara Desmond & Clint Gorden • March 12, 2026

Illinois farmer Clint Gorden shares how using wheat as both a cover crop and cash crop helps improve soil health, support wildlife and still make conservation pay.

Will AI Replace Agriculture? Not Exactly But It’s Already Changing the Farm

By Tara Desmond • March 12, 2026

AI is transforming agriculture from autonomous tractors to crop AI tools but farmers remain essential to the future of ag.