June - July Highlights Annual Report

Tara Desmond
January 6, 2026
  • Building Future Advocates: ICGA + FFA in Washington, D.C.
  • ICGA remains committed to a mission to Washington, DC with Illinois FFA leaders, helping the next generation understand federal policy and giving students firsthand experience meeting lawmakers, agency staff, and national ag partners. This ongoing partnership strengthens future advocacy capacity and ensures young agricultural voices are heard in D.C.
  • Infrastructure & Export Advocacy
  • ICGA maintained steady pressure on Congress and federal agencies to fund locks and dams modernization—critical to Illinois’ export competitiveness and the nearly half of Illinois corn that relies on the river system.
  • Summer Member & Legislator Outreach
  • Throughout June and July, ICGA continued on-farm visits, district meetings, and summer ag events, deepening relationships with legislators and reinforcing the challenges of the current farm financial environment.
Sarah Hastings, Melinda Fourez, Sen. Chapin Rose, Mark Degler, Steve Fourez, and Dale Haudrich
By Lyndi Allen April 16, 2026
Illinois farmers came to the state capitol this week to draw attention to the poor farm economy as the planting season begins. Farmers met with their representatives and key legislators
thumbnail of  Phillips
By Tara Desmond April 16, 2026
Illinois Fair Queen Krista Phillips shares how her role goes beyond the crown connecting communities and advocating for agriculture statewide.
Ashley, Lindsay and Laura in DC
By Lindsay Croke April 16, 2026
Lindsay Croke is the IL Corn Director of Communications and Marketing today, but she’s served many roles over her 20+ years at IL Corn and brings a lot of historical perspective of IL Corn’s work and goals to IL Corn TV show as a host. We sat down with Lindsay to figure out how she landed at IL Corn, what the work here has meant to her and to our industry, and why she sticks around.
Steve Koeller, Justin Moore, Shane Gray, Rep. Katie Stuart, Chad Dillenberger, and Dale Haudrich
By Lyndi Allen April 8, 2026
Representative Katie Stuart and Illinois farmers visited NCERC for a tour, to learn about its expansion plans, and interview Illinois farmers
thumbnail from farmdoc webinar
By Tara Desmond April 8, 2026
Researchers reveal most farmers operate from a single, highly consistent production plan and change it far less often than conservation advisors typically assume.
thumbnail of different videos
By Tara Desmond April 8, 2026
Catch up on IL Corn’s top stories and videos from Q1 2026, featuring farmers, yields, policy updates, and must-see moments from the field.
Show More