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The IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Tom Vilsack for releasing $1.3 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds (CCC) to support trade for commodity and specialty crops. The funds will be part of the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP) and aim to increase trade promotion and develop export markets in Asia and Africa. “One of ICGA’s number one priorities is trade and increasing export markets,” ICGA President Matt Rush said. “Although it is still of utmost importance to see investments in the farm bill for Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development, we are thankful for the Secretary’s work in creating more market opportunities.” USDA reports for every dollar invested in growing export market development, exports are increased by $24.50. “To remain competitive globally, American farmers need our policymakers to make the necessary investments that will help ensure a strong global market for our crops,” said National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of Secretary Vilsack as well as Sens. Stabenow and Boozman for making this funding a reality.”

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, Jon 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, Jon brings to the position a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the corn industry. Get to know Jon through a quick Q & A Q: Can you share a brief overview of your background / farming operation? Jon: I am the fourth generation to farm our family farm. After getting an Ag Business degree from Illinois State University, I was a Certified Crop Advisor with FS first in Piatt County then in Stephenson County. I was fortunate to be able to farm with my father for 3 years before he passed away, and continued the operation, expanding acres and diversifying into a beef cow/calf program. We currently raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Most of our continuous corn is conventional tilled, while the rotated ground is minimum till or no-till. We have started doing strip till on some of the continuous corn. Soybeans are predominately no-till. Q: What motivated you to volunteer your time and expertise as a board member for IL Corn? Jon: I had spent several years on the Stephenson County Soil and Water Conservation Service Board and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Board when I was approached by Lou Lameroux to see if I was interested in running for the District 2 director position on the IL Corn Marketing Board. It really intrigued me, and as I learned more about the role the Marketing Board plays in managing checkoff dollars, I saw it as an opportunity to be a part of a great organization. Q: Can you describe a specific project or initiative you're passionate about on ICMB and how you envision it making a positive impact? Jon: There are actually two areas that have caught my interest. The first is working on ethanol and the role the corn organizations play in promoting, supporting, and expanding the use of ethanol. The second is a new initiative to support community colleges in their role of training, developing, and expanding the agriculture workforce. I see a real opportunity to have an impact on the next generation of agricultural workers and leaders. 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? Jon: Marketing, promoting, and representing Illinois corn and farmers is a continuous process that is always changing and facing new challenges. It is very important to keep on top of all that is occurring in order to maintain Illinois corn’s position as a valuable commodity in the U.S. and throughout the world. 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? Jon: Agriculture offers a wide variety of career paths for anyone that has the passion or desire to be involved. Be prepared to be flexible and open to new opportunities, since the job or career path you start on can lead you in a direction that you never imagined yourself taking. Q: What is something most people don’t know about you? Jon: My first real job was as the overnight grain dryer operator of a grain elevator in central Illinois while I was in college. Learn more about the IL Corn Marketing Board . Want to get involved on a board or committee? E-mail us .

The IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) helped magnify the voice of rural Americans , sharing over 900 comments opposing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s electric vehicle proposal. The NHTSA goal, released in July, would require an industry fleet-wide average of 58 miles per gallon for cars and light duty trucks by model year 2032. The proposal would electrify America’s vehicle fleet, as the only technology capable of meeting the standard. Fox News reports the administration received over 62,000 comments related to the fuel economy. “The impressive turn out for this call to action shows the topic’s importance to Americans,” ICGA President Matt Rush said. “Our smaller communities are not capable of moving towards electrification this quickly.” A quick transition to a nation-wide electric vehicle fleet is a concern for Americans in rural areas. ICGA estimates the proposal would cost American farmers nearly one-billion bushels of corn annually by 2033. Charging station availability and electrical power are also a worry in rural areas. In an analysis by Politico Pro the company reports most counties in the United States have less that one electric vehicle charging station per 10,000 people. The study said the low number of electric stations highlights, “the gap between the Biden administration’s ambitious plans for EV usage and the infrastructure required to make them a reality.” Politico Pro reports the U.S. will need 8 times the amount of current charging stations to meet the number projected for 2030. In September 2022, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker approved a plan to increase charging infrastructure to meet the state’s 1 million electric vehicle goal by 2030. Axios Chicago reports although the state had 874 public charging stations in 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates it will need 15,000 stations to meet the goal. “There is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution to this problem,” Rush said. “We acknowledge there is a role for electric vehicles in America. However, we know liquid biofuels are a solution that can be used today to lower carbon emissions. We want them to continue to play a role in this conversation.” A pending lawsuit against the Department of Transportation met on September 14 to discuss the 2022 NHTSA Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards. Industry leaders say NHTSA will likely release its final 2023 rule next year after the 2022 case is settled.

Saying fertilizer shortages are creating a hardship for farmers across the U.S., the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA)– along with 62 other agricultural groups – sent a letter today to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo calling on her to consider the current difficulties faced by farmers as she recalculates duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. The letter comes after the U.S. Court of International Trade ordered the agency to reconsider its previous decision on calculating the duties. “High costs and limited availability of fertilizer continue to strain family farms across the United States,” the letter said. “[We] urge you to consider the impact of phosphate duties as the Department of Commerce works to reconsider its duty rate calculation.” The duties levied on fertilizes have caused one of the U.S.’s top importers of certain phosphate fertilizers, the Moroccan-based OCP Group, to drastically reduce U.S. imports over the last few years, even on products not sold in this country or easily attained by American farmers. As the letter explains, these developments are having a financial impact on farmers. “Duties levied on phosphate imports combined with these other factors have led to substantial price volatility over the past three years as evident by phosphate price increases of over 230% from 2020 to 2022,” according to the letter signatories. “During 2022, farmers spent $36.9 billion on fertilizer and lime, compared to $24.4 billion in 2020.” The issue originated in February 2021 when Commerce called on the International Trade Commission to implement duties of almost 20% on imported fertilizers from Morocco after the Mosaic Company, which manufactures fertilizers used in the U.S. and abroad, filed a petition with the department seeking the levies. The ITC voted in March of that year to impose the duties while adding similar levies on Russian imports. Soon after, NCGA and ICGA launched a full campaign to raise awareness among policymakers, including members of Congress and administration officials, about the impact the duties would have on farmers. The organization worked with the media and provided written statements and farmer testimony on the matter. The court’s recent ruling to remand Commerce’s decision was seen as a partial win by grower leaders, but advocates say for farmers to be successful, trade barriers must be eliminated completely. “American agriculture must have market access to compete globally, and a major impediment like a fertilizer duty only undermines the ability to establish and expand markets,” the letter noted. Absent delays, Commerce is expected to finalize its administrative review by November 1, and issue its remand determination by December 13. Read the Letter

National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) hosted a team of 10 executives from India’s automotive, biofuels and automotive sectors. The team, brought here through a U.S. Grains Council Trade Mission (USGC) and in partnership with IL Corn, learned about many areas of interest in addition to ethanol production such as co-products like Distillers Dried Grains (DDGs) and biorenewable co-product options through discussions with NCERC Director of Research Dr. Yan Zhang. Following the discussion, the group toured the facility’s plant with Dr. Zhang and Project Management Engineer Steve Ward to see processes first hand, offering many insightful, thoughtful questions.

IL Corn is pleased to continue representing the legislative interests of its members by welcoming Rachel Dame as the organization’s Public Policy Manager. Dame will heighten membership’s visibility in Washington D.C. and Springfield, specifically building relationships with Illinois’s northeastern delegation. Dame’s experiences in agricultural policy include her time as a contract lobbyist for Faegre Drinker Law Firm and the Agriculture, Transportation, and Tribal Affairs Policy Advisor for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Dame most recently served as a Policy Advisor for the Illinois Commerce Commission. “Throughout my career, my greatest moments of passion came when working in agriculture policy, specifically while representing farmer interests at the Capitol,” Dame said. “I like the bipartisan nature that can come with agriculture policy. The role at IL Corn combined my passion for agriculture and government relations, which made the job a perfect fit.” Originally from the home of the Krispy Kreme donut, Winston-Salem, N.C., Dame became interested in agriculture while taking a Food Science class at N.C. State University. She said the­ class allowed her to see every American’s daily connection to agriculture. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in Theater Arts from the N.C. State University, Dame worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee. “As much as I enjoyed my time in sports management, my greatest moments of passion came from working with local, state, and international governments to organize events.” Her interest in policy led Dame to pursue a Master’s Degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota. Following her graduation, Dame also started a Fullbright grant in Albania where she researched the impact of European Union policies on developing democracies. As she begins her role, Dame said she is enthused to grow IL Corn’s presence in Chicago. “I believe the statistic is approximately 66% of Illinois legislators can see Sears Tower from their home,” she said. “I want these legislators to understand that agriculture is an economic driver for our state, and IL Corn plays an important role in keeping, not only Illinois, but the country’s food supply chain running.” In addition to her work life, Dame volunteers at Mercy Homes Boys and Girls youth shelter where she recently raised over $1950 for the non-profit running the Chicago Marathon. She is also a dog fan, an avid reader, and always in search of the best cheeseburger in Illinois.

A selfie in front of the White House during her internship with the IL Corn Growers Association solidified a career path in Kylie Bohman’s mind. Bohman’s trip with the organization in 2017 was an early step towards her current role as a legislative aide covering agriculture and energy for Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). Bohman is one of numerous young adults impacted by the commodity group’s youth and internship programs. “I thought, give me a job where I can take a walk and see the White House,” she said. “Now, I could do that every day if I wanted to.” Originally a political science major at the University of Illinois, agriculture was not a piece of Bohman’s background. However, friends within the University’s College of ACES led her to change her major and connected her with IL Corn . “With IL Corn, I felt like the agriculture industry gave me a really good direction, and specialty knowledge that I was able to see in general politics,” Bohman said. “I enjoyed getting practical knowledge on how the world works.”