Yesterday was Giving Tuesday.  Likely, many of our members gave to their local churches, pet shelters, sports boosters, world hunger organizations, and other worthy causes.

What does IL Corn give to?

U.S. Meat Export Federation – Every year, your checkoff funds help to promote meat exports around the globe.  The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) leverages our funds, matches them with federal funds, and promotes the sale of U.S. red meat products (beef, lamb, pork) all over the world. 

This is good for America, as we increase the value of U.S. meat worldwide and realize more economic impact here in the states.  But also good for other countries as we use our agricultural machine in the U.S. to feed others all over the world.

U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council – Our contributions to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) help in almost the same way as our contributions to the USMEF, except we’re talking about sales of poultry products (chicken and turkey) as well as eggs. 

U.S. Grains Council – The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) promotes the sale of corn and ethanol overseas.  A lot of the time, U.S. corn speaks for itself so the USGC is working on barriers to trade like policies against certain types of corn or free trade agreements.  USGC has offices all over the world where relationships are developed between American representatives and native buyers.  Other countries learn that they can trust U.S. corn and U.S. corn farmers.

Truth about Trade and Technology - Truth About Trade & Technology (TATT) is a non-profit advocacy group led by farmers who support free trade and farmers’ freedom to choose the tools, technologies, and strategies they need to maximize productivity and profitability in a sustainable manner.  TATT inserts the voice of farmers into the global dialogue regarding food and nutritional security.

Of course this is important.  A farmer perspective to the craziness surrounding GMOs and other technologies is one we simply have to have for meaningful dialogue that makes the best use of technology to preserve the environment and feed the world.

Illinois Farm Families – Illinois Farm Families (IFF) is a coalition of Illinois commodity groups and Illinois Farm Bureau that works with urban moms to help answer questions and clear up misconceptions about agriculture.

There’s an opportunity for you to get involved here!  If you’d like to be a part of this effort and give your time to IFF, click here!

Illinois Ag in the Classroom – Illinois Ag in the Classroom (IATC) works with teachers and helps them integrate agriculture into their curriculum.  IATC provides training, lesson plans, grant monies, and specific information matching curriculum to educational goals and CORE standards, making their materials really easy for teachers to use.

Illinois Livestock Development Group – The Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) seeks to grow the livestock industry in Illinois.  The business climate being what it is, and non-farmer concerns about livestock farms cropping up all over the state without the factual information needed to make sound business decisions, the commodity groups in Illinois joined together to promote livestock and help county boards and local neighbors understand the benefits to the livestock industry.  ILDG also helps farmers through the regulations for siting or expanding livestock farms in the Livestock Management Facilities Act (LMFA).

County Farm Bureaus – IL Corn provides grant money to Illinois County Farm Bureaus for local programming in a variety of our priority issue areas.  These funds might be used for local cover crop demonstrations or a promotion when a new flex fuel pump is added in the area.  County Farm Bureaus can do a lot of local good when they focus these dollars on promotion and education for the farmers and non-farmers in their county!

All these worthwhile causes are just a sampling of what we’re spending Illinois checkoff funds on everyday – and accomplishing some major good! 

How did you spend your money on Giving Tuesday?