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.
Farmer Plot Fuels Objective Data
As Wayne Gehrke looked out at the Kane County Corn Growers Association corn plot at an event Wednesday, he noticed differences in the grain’s height and maturity. The group’s plot, which began...
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IL Corn Joins Over 300 Ag Groups in Washington to Advocate for New Farm Bill
With Congress back in session, farmers and association leaders advocated for a farm bill, this week, in Washington D.C. On Monday, over 300 agricultural groups sent a letter to House and Senate...
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Conservation Corner- What’s the Buzz about ESA?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is under court order to comply with the Endangered Species Act for all registered pesticides. Their new compliance strategies have Illinois farmers earning...
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Tackling the Unseen Challenges in Farming
Did you know that more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023? It’s the highest rate on record. Even more alarming, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general...
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Farmers Offer Solution to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Next Generation Fuels Act (the Act) offers a critical solution to the growing concerns around climate and the limitations of electric vehicles (EVs). By focusing on high-octane, low-carbon...
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Opening Brief in Petition Against EPA Filed
On Friday, September 6, an opening brief was filed in Kentucky v. EPA. The case challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulations designed to phase out internal combustion...
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Uniting for Agriculture: IL Corn Leaders Champion Farmers’ Voices at National Conventions
Bipartisan collaboration is fundamental to IL Corn’s efforts to represent farmers in Springfield and Washington, D.C. IL Corn leaders were active this summer at the Republican National...
MoreIL Corn Reviews Final Herbicide Strategy
IL Corn staff is actively reviewing the Final Herbicide Strategy released on August 20, 2024. This strategy is part of the EPA's efforts to comply with a court ruling mandating alignment with the...
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8 Farmers Share Best and Worst Decisions
1. "In the 1970s, when our dad retired, my brother and I took over the farm, along with an employee who struggled with some performance issues. The employee quit unexpectedly during the busy...
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Top 5 Videos & Stories of July
Top Videos Top Stories AI Meets Ag 2024 Cover Crop Coupon Illinois State Fair...
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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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Illinois lawmakers call out unbalanced conservation funding
On Friday, a group of Illinois legislators requested the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) increase the state’s conservation funding to...
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August Recess: Time to Tag-Team a Farm Bill
It is August recess in Washington, D.C. and Illinois congressmen are back in their home districts visiting family, campaigning and attending events. With the current state of the farm economy,...
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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...
MoreSerious Questions Remain About EPA Atrazine Proposal
Growers received good news in early July when EPA proposed an increase in the atrazine aquatic level of concern (CE-LOC) from the ultra-low 3.4 parts per billion (ppb) level to a new level of 9.7...
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IL Corn Summer Interns Share Ag Impact
IL Corn recognizes the importance of nurturing young talent, so it provides educational and leadership opportunities whenever possible. Every summer, IL Corn offers internship programs. This...
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IL Corn Supports Congressional Efforts for SAF Tax Credit Without Conservation Mandates
Seven members of Illinois’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury, requesting the prompt finalization of the Inflation Reduction Act’s 45Z sustainable aviation...
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Governor Pritzker, United Says Corn Farmers Will Play a Role in SAF Production
CHICAGO, Ill. -- Today, corn farmers and the ethanol industry were recognized by Illinois Governor J.B Pritzker and United Airlines as a sustainable partner in lowering the aviation industry’s...
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