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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Sen. Celina Villenueva, Chris Gould, Orlando Rojas, Ambassador Reyna Torres

IL Corn Celebrates Latino Contributions to Agriculture

By Lyndi Allen • September 18, 2026

IL Corn joined partners and community leaders highlight the role of the Latino community in Illinois agriculture and labor.

Tugboat pushing a barge along a river at sunset, with a bridge in the background.

House Passes WRDA 2026, Advancing Inland Waterways Construction Office

By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026

The House of Representatives took an important step towards strengthening the nation’s inland waterways by passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026

Illinois Farm Girl Studying the Unseen Realities of Farming

By Tara Desmond & Emma Seiboldt • September 17, 2026

Illinois farm girl Emma Seiboldt is asking farmers to share their experiences through an anonymous survey on the unseen realities and mental health challenges of farming.

Dan Kelley during harvest sporting his Global Farmer Network shirt

From the Cab: Illinois Farmer Dan Kelley on Harvest and Global Farmer Network

By Tara Desmond • September 17, 2026

After 55 years of farming, Dan Kelley shares his harvest outlook and how he’s helping farmers around the world find their voice.

U.S. Capitol building under a clear blue sky with bright sunlight

Farm Bill 2.0 Passed out of the Senate Ag Committee

By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026

The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced Farm Bill 2.0, bringing Congress one step closer to a new five-year Farm Bill and giving farmers the certainty they have been waiting for.

Lyndi Allen, Jim Tarmann, Rep. Eric Sorensen, Justin Moore, Greg Goodwin

IL Corn Advocates on the Hill

By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026

IL Corn met with members of Congress and both Illinois senators to discuss policies that can strengthen demand, lower costs, and expand opportunities for Illinois corn farmers.