Meet the First and Second Place IL T-shirt Contest Winners

May 11, 2023
A green t-shirt that says illinois farmers on it

If you missed it, IL Corn put on a t-shirt contest in April boosting creativity while showing the love of farming throughout the state. Get to know the winners:

 

First Place: Jordan Bidner


Jordan Bidner grew up in Fisher, Illinois, which is in Central Illinois. His passion for art and drawing led him to Parkland College where he studied Graphic Design and was able to enter his art in several art shows. He currently works with digital printing and continues his love for art in the community and through his freelancing - Biddy’s Designs.

While Jordan doesn’t currently farm, his grandfather farmed his whole life, and his grandma lived on the family farm until she was 100. One staple on their farm was their red barn that dated back to 1869.

 

When we asked how he came up with the idea for the winning t-shirt, Jordan comments, “When I was younger, I used to collect Superman memorabilia. The idea just came to me to connect these two things because farmers are superheroes and the backbone that our country depends on.”

 

Second Place: Ava Franzen



Watch this video of Ava, our 2nd place winner of the T-shirt contes:.

A man standing next to an elderly woman holding a sign that says 1869
A quote about corn that says it 's corn
farm rescue
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Outline of Illinois; surrounded by a green background with vegetables.
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutrition provision in the Farm Bill, linking food policy and farm policy.
Cliff Lane with Tara
By Tara Desmond October 2, 2025
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Maren outside Franklin, IL
By Tara Desmond October 2, 2025
Maren, from Norway, tells her story about becoming an exchange student to a Franklin, Illinois family - the Thompsons
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By Tara Desmond October 2, 2025
An Illinois farmer - Lance -- tells the story of his experience in IL Corn's GROW Program.
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When the federal government shuts down, farmers feel the effects in their fields, finances, and futures. Government programs through the USDA can hurt farmers when not operating.
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