Meet IL Corn Marketing Board Chair Jeff Scates

IL Corn is made up of two farmer-led organizations that serve corn farmers in Illinois: IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB).

As the newly appointed board chair of the IL Corn Marketing Board, Jeff steps into a pivotal role that holds the key to guiding the organization toward future growth and success in the coming year. With a wealth of experience and a visionary outlook, Jeff brings to the position a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the corn industry.

Get to know Jeff through a quick Q & A

Q: Can you share a brief overview of your background / farming operation?

Jeff: I live in southeastern Illinois near Shawneetown with my wife, Christina and two kids, daughter Drew and son Wyatt. After graduating from SIU I returned home to work full time on our family farm with my grandfather, father, several uncles and many cousins. Today we farm in Gallatin and White counties in Illinois and Union county Kentucky where we raise mostly corn and soybeans with a little bit of wheat and green beans. We have highly variable soils ranging from clay hills to bottoms ground to sandy flat ground to the north that is mostly irrigated.

Q: What motivated you to volunteer your time and expertise as a board member for IL Corn?

Jeff: My father, Hugh Scates served on the IL Corn Marketing Board about fifteen years ago. That is where I learned of all the great and important work that goes on in our organizations. Being a part of that decision making and the relationships you build with other board members and staff is an experience that will not be forgotten.

Q: Can you describe a specific project or initiative you're passionate about on ICMB and how you envision it making a positive impact?

Jeff: Exports, whether in the form of whole corn, ethanol, ethanol byproducts, or meats are very important to price movement once yield is established. Building and maintaining those relationships is a crucial part of the work behind the scenes that many people are not aware of.

Q: If you were to tell non-board members one thing about the IL Corn Board(s) and what they do, what would it be?

Jeff: Whether you are on the IL Corn Growers Association board helping to develop policy or lobbying in Washington DC or if you are on the IL Corn Marketing Board and laying the groundwork to help ICGA pass the Next Generations Fuels Act or working to increase ethanol exports to Japan by a whopping 3000% it is helping YOUR family farm. I would highly encourage everyone to get involved.

Q: What message or advice would you like to convey to young people interested in pursuing a career in farming or agriculture, based on your own experiences and expertise?

Jeff: The great thing about farming is that you get to switch jobs a lot. You may be a grain marketer one day and change to a mechanic the next or a heavy equipment operator or an agronomist. Life is not dull but do be prepared for market swings and be ready to adapt to changes.

Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?

Jeff: I have been to three World Series games in three different years. Guess that tells you which team I root for.