October - November Highlights Annual Report

Tara Desmond
January 6, 2026
  • State-Level Advocacy: Tariff Hearing & Executive Order Signing
  • House Agriculture Chair Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) held a subject matter hearing on the impact of tariffs on Illinois’ farm economy, where IL Corn’s Director of Exports and Logistics, Collin Watters, testified alongside other commodity leaders and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. ICGA also attended Governor Pritzker’s signing of Executive Order 2025-07 on a Taylorville farm—an acknowledgment of the multi-year economic strain caused by trade disruptions, falling demand, and high input costs.
  • National Recognition as Expert Voices
  • This fall, ICGA staff and farmer leaders were featured speakers across major national and regional conferences, underscoring ICGA’s role as a leading voice on sustainability, biofuels, and farmer economics. ICGA participated in panels elevating Illinois corn farmers in national policy and climate-smart agriculture discussions.
  • Organizational Momentum at the ICGA Annual Meeting
  • New officers and directors were elected for 2025–2026, and ICGA honored leaders through the World of Corn Award and Media Award—reinforcing the organization’s strength, credibility, and member-driven leadership.
IL Corn TVThumbnail
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
ISU student Jacob Edens shares how a childhood tractor ride sparked a farming passion, a Ford 8N restoration, and building ag community at college.
Dr. Laura Gentry
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
Dr. Laura Gentry named ADT President, helping ensure transparency in ag data and keeping farmers in control of how their data is used and protected.
Lena and Callahan
By Tara Desmond May 7, 2026
Illinois corn farmer and board director Lena Head celebrates her first Mother’s Day after welcoming baby Callahan during planting season.
thumbnail of Brandy
By Tara Desmond May 6, 2026
Illinois farmer Brandy shares growing up with a mother with schizophrenia, breaking stigma and calling for rural mental health awareness.
thumbnail of Lindsay and DeAnne
By Tara Desmond April 30, 2026
IL Corn TV sits down with DeAnne Bloomberg to reflect on nearly four decades of agricultural change, from the ethanol boom to her new role in community philanthropy.
5 Ag Students
By Tara Desmond April 30, 2026
Five Outstanding Students Named to Receive Support for Careers in Agriculture
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