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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drone image don meyer farm tornado amboy il 2023

Record Year of Illinois Tornadoes: Hear One Farmer's 2023 Story

By Pearl McDade • July 8, 2026

Don Meyer's 2023 tornado recovery offers lessons in resilience and optimism after disaster.

Setting the Record Straight on Ethanol: A Conversation with Brian West

By Tara Desmond • July 2, 2026

E15, E20, E30: What the Research Really Shows

Illinois Agri-Women Honor Three Legacy Farm Families for Generations of Women in Agriculture

By Penny Lauritzen - Illinois Agri-Women • July 2, 2026

Illinois Agri-Women names three Legacy Farm Families for GoAg3, honoring generations of women in agriculture at an August 21 celebration.

Meet Matt Boucher: Fourth-Gen Farmer, Cover Crop Expert

By Tara Desmond • July 2, 2026

Meet Matt Boucher of Boucher Family Farms in Dwight, IL — a 4th-gen farmer using cover crops, custom application & more. Read his story.

U.S. Capitol with “FARM BILL” text overlayed on the left

Senate Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Draft

By Lyndi Allen • July 2, 2026

Chairman John Boozman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released a Farm Bill discussion draft on June 23, 2026.

45Z is Taking Shape – Here’s What It Means for Corn Farmers

By Lyndi Allen • July 2, 2026

USDA's Regenerative Feedstock Rule provides important certainty for farmers as they begin making crop and input decisions. IL Corn has identified what it could mean for corn farmers.