October - November Highlights Annual Report

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.

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Green combine harvester in a harvested field under a cloudy sky

Farm Earnings Improve, but Tight Margins Remain

By Lyndi Allen • September 23, 2026

Illinois farmers saw their earnings improve in 2025, but the latest data shows that farm profitability remains well below recent averages.

Dolly Parton Maze from All Seasons Orchard

IL Corn TV: A Dolly Parton Corn Maze Brings Families Back to the Farm

By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026

A Woodstock, IL farm's Dolly Parton corn maze is one of 18 nationwide honoring the icon and benefiting her Imagination Library literacy program.

farmer next to engine with headphones on

Untreated Hearing Loss & Dementia

By Tamara H. Thompson • September 22, 2026

Untreated hearing loss strains and shrinks the brain and drives social isolation, raising the risk of dementia but early treatment with hearing aids or other devices can help protect against it.

Farmer's Stroke Story: Why He Almost Didn't Go to the ER

By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026

A farmer's stroke went unnoticed until family and coworkers insisted he get help. His Safety Week story on why every minute matters

Sen. Celina Villenueva, Chris Gould, Orlando Rojas, Ambassador Reyna Torres

IL Corn Celebrates Latino Contributions to Agriculture

By Lyndi Allen • September 18, 2026

IL Corn joined partners and community leaders highlight the role of the Latino community in Illinois agriculture and labor.

Tugboat pushing a barge along a river at sunset, with a bridge in the background.

House Passes WRDA 2026, Advancing Inland Waterways Construction Office

By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026

The House of Representatives took an important step towards strengthening the nation’s inland waterways by passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026