Who are Illinois corn farmers?
One of our priorities is to help non-farmers understand who you are and what you do. We’ve focused quite a few our efforts in Chicago, knowing from research that consumers in Chicago are particularly disengaged from the agriculture going on downstate and that their votes impact your farms and families.
For a general overview of the outreach that we’re involved in, check out the following programs:
Illinois Farm Families: IL Corn provides this program in coalition with IL Beef, IL Milk, IL Pork, IL Soybean Associations, and the IL Farm Bureau to talk with Chicago moms and give them on-farm experiences.
Illinois Runs on HomeGrown Corn: This program gives non-farmers the opportunity to “visit” a farm using the newest technology! We’re using virtual reality viewers and 360-degree filming technology to produce on-farm videos throughout the growing season.
CornBelters: IL Corn tests messages locally and attempts to change opinions in our own college town of Normal, IL by working with the Normal CornBelters.
U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Association: Through the National Corn Growers Association, IL Corn participates in this national collaborative, bringing factual information about agriculture to anyone who wants to know more. This partnership also brought you the documentary, Farmland.
13.2 Billion in Freight on Illinois Waterways
In this episode of IL Corn TV, Illinois farmer and IL Corn board director John Klemm talks with Paul Rohde, Vice President of the Waterways Council, about the critical role of the U.S. inland...
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IL Corn's Strategic Investment in U.S. Grains Council Boosts Export Opportunities
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is actively expanding exports of U.S. corn, barley, sorghum, and their by-products, including grain-based ethanol and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS),...
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Critical Conversations: How Commodity Groups are Looking Towards Future
In an ever-evolving global market, the importance of agricultural commodities coming together has never been more critical. Last Friday, leaders from various commodity groups gathered to discuss...
MoreCanadian Rail Strike Threatens Trade Flows, While BNSF Stops Trains To Mexico
On Monday, Aug. 19, the U.S. Grains Council (Council) signed onto an industry letter comprised of 35 organizations that urged Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau to address concerns regarding a...
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IL Corn Fuels Conversation at State Fair
IL Corn made a significant impact at the Illinois State Fair, engaging with both consumers and elected officials. Fairground visitors were introduced to the role of corn in decarbonizing the...
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Watters Optimistic of Filipino Ethanol Opportunities
A group of Filipino government officials visited Illinois this week to learn more about the United States ethanol industry as the country pursues E20 ethanol blending nationwide. In...
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New Study Ranks Illinois as #1 in Total Economic Output in the U.S.
Corn farming is one of the largest sectors in American agriculture. The nation’s corn farmers bolster the economy and help build strong communities. There are firms in 524 industry sectors across...
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WRDA 2024 Unanimously Passed by Senate
Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, also known as S. 4367. The Senate’s version of the bill, supported by Illinois Senators Richard Durbin...
MoreExports of Grain Critical to Illinois
Exports of grain and grain products added $8.04 Billion in value to the Illinois economy in 2022, according to a ComplEat Analytics study commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council and the National...
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Holding Corn and Working Towards Better Markets
Farmer Matt Raben shared a weary smile during his less-than-ideal update to the IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) of directors. On his farm corn sits in grain bins, waiting to go to market. In a...
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Amid Legislative Doubts, ICGA Advocates for Strong Farm Bill
The IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) will push to ensure the farm bill does not fall off the political radar during ICGA's annual July fly-in to Washington D.C. On Monday, Punchbowl...
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IL Corn Top Three Game Plans to Drive Demand
Illinois corn farmer profitability is a problem your checkoff is ready to tackle. We’re opening our strategic playbook to give you a glimpse of the long-term investments we’ve made to drive corn...
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What is the Farm Bill?
Breaking Down the Titles of the Farm Bill In a simple explanation, the farm bill is a package of legislation that governs an assemblage of agriculture and food programs. However, there is nothing...
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Illinois Commodities Request Ag Trade Protection
Earlier this week, the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and four other state commodity organizations called on Illinois’s congressional delegation to grow export opportunities and protect...
MoreUSDA Awards Additional Millions to Build Agriculture Exports
This week, the U.S. Grains Council received notice of additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP). The award will disperse...
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Global Markets Fuel Illinois: 3 Trade Facts You Need to Know
International trade drives the United States economy. The United States is the second largest exporter in the world and thrives with access to export markets. As we celebrate May as World...
MoreGM Corn Ban Updates
A timeline has formulated as efforts continue to resolve Mexico’s proposed ban on genetically modified (GM) corn for human consumption. In December 2020, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López...
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Experts Remain Optimistic Despite Hurdles Overseas
National Corn Growers Association Lead Economist Krista Swanson remains optimistic despite overseas obstacles for United States corn exports. Drought in Central America and turmoil in the Middle...
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IL Corn Growers Association Monitoring Fertilizer Tariffs and 2024 Crop Budgets
Bloomington – Last week, the US Department of Commerce set a tax of 7.41% on imports of phosphate fertilizer from Morocco and Russia, which is a decrease from the previous rate of 19.97%. The...
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