Martin Barbre Reflects on Leadership, Legacy, and Lessons from the Farm

Few Illinois farmers have shaped agriculture at the state and national level quite like Martin Barbre. In the latest episode of IL Corn TV, Barbre joins host Shane Gray to reflect on his decades of service, from the White County Farm Bureau and IL Corn Growers Association to leading the National Corn Growers Association and serving as USDA Risk Management Agency administrator.

Barbre was honored in 2023 with both the Illinois Master Farmer Award and the World of Corn Award—recognitions he says carry special meaning because they come from fellow farmers.

“Being acknowledged by your peers - that was the big thing for me,” Barbre said. “It was a great feeling knowing people recognize what you’ve done and how you’ve helped agriculture move forward.”

During the interview, Barbre shared lessons from some of farming’s toughest years, including the widespread droughts of 1983 and 2012. But he also pointed to a more recent season as the most frustrating of all.

“Everything we did was wrong (in 2025),” he said. “It didn’t matter—the weather changed it.”

Through those experiences, Barbre emphasized one piece of advice for the next generation: watch your finances. “You can do everything you can to raise production,” he said, “but you’ve got to keep your finances in order.”

Barbre also reflected on major wins during his time with IL Corn, including helping grow the ethanol industry, advancing the Renewable Fuel Standard, and promoting E15 (efforts that continue to create markets for corn growers today). Above all, he credits the relationships built along the way as one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

“You have many ships that sail across the sea, but friendships are the best,” Barbre said. “That’s what I’ve enjoyed most about being part of IL Corn.”