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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Greg Goodwin Elected President of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership is a collaborative network of organizations working together to advance sustainable agriculture across the state.

Shadow of a dome-shaped building cast over a cornfield at sunset.

Farm Bill 2.0 Passed Out of House Ag Committee

By Lindsay Croke • March 5, 2026

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture discussed farm policy at length, debating amendments and working towards a bill that passed out of Committee in the early hours of March 5, 2026.

From Ancestral Genomes to Modern Fields: Researching Corn’s Roots to Improve Nitrogen Efficiency

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

PhD research explores ancestral corn genetics and the maize microbiome to improve nitrogen efficiency and sustainability in modern corn production.

Greg and Janis Thoren to Receive Illinois Leopold Conservation Award

By Sand County Foundation • March 5, 2026

Greg and Janis Thoren are the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award®.

ICGA Statement on Fertilizer Pricing Investigation

By Lyndi Allen • March 5, 2026

Upon reading the Bloomberg report of a potential investigation into fertilizer prices, ICGA President and Illinois farmer Mark Bunselmeyer releases statement.

Illinois Musician Cody Diekhoff Talks Farming Roots

By Tara Desmond • March 5, 2026

Chicago Farmer joins IL Corn TV to discuss farming roots, storytelling, Midwest life and the parallels between agriculture and music.