Pack Your Backpack with Corn Knowledge

Jennie Abbott
August 7, 2025

Attention Teachers and Parents: New Ag Lessons and Activities Available

IL Corn is celebrating back-to-school season with over 20 brand-new classroom resources, perfect for engaging students from kindergarten through high school! 

Whether you're looking for coloring pages, hands-on activities, or in-depth lessons, our corn-based materials are designed to spark curiosity and learn across all grade levels. 


Explore the many uses of corn with these fun resources: 

Board game

Learn about corn transportation with our newest game-based lesson: 

For high school classrooms: 

  • The Golden Crop: A comprehensive lesson on corn as a commodity, including topics like the futures market, supply and demand, and economic impact 


All of these resources and MORE are  free and available on our website. Visit the Resources/Ag Education tab to explore and download everything you need to bring corn into your classroom this year! 


Illinois officials at NCERC news conference
By Lindsay Croke • October 9, 2026
A $15 million investment in NCERC at SIUE will expand the facility and provide opportunities for new bioproducts using corn to scale to commercialization.
National Corn to Ethanol Research Center proposed expansion
By Lindsay Croke • October 9, 2026
Fully funding an expansion of NCERC at SIUE will allow the testing and trials required for new corn products to scale in Illinois.
U.S. Meat being showcased in Tokyo
By John Klemm & Tara Desmond • October 8, 2026
DeWitt County farmer John Klemm shares how exporting beef helps corn and an early look at a slow, wet start to his 2026 harvest.
Corn kernels
By Lindsay Croke • October 8, 2026
Illinois corn farmers are grateful for Governor Pritzker’s effort to lower diesel prices for farmers this fall.
cover crops in the field
By Summary from PCM / Farmdoc Webinar • October 8, 2026
Precision Conservation data shows growing cover crops costs Illinois corn farmers $27.30 an acre to deliver carbon benefits. See how conservation payments compare.
Green combine harvester in a field at sunset, with the sun low on the horizon.
By Lyndi Allen • October 8, 2026
Recent federal and state actions provide potential relief for Illinois farmers facing high costs during harvest, including diesel fuel and grain storage.
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