The Importance of Contacting Legislators

Lyndi Allen
June 27, 2025

Interview with Eric Croft, one of our most active participants in IL Corn's Call to Actions

Eric Croft

What motivates you to take action when you receive a CTA?

When I receive a Call to Action, I respond and follow the steps to contact legislators because I know that it is effective.  Over the years, I have called & emailed congressmen and gone to Springfield to support legislation.  Speaking with the administrative assistant of a past Representative, she made it clear that it is important to contact them, because they keep tallies of the number of contacts for or against a bill. 


How easy or difficult is it to engage when you get a CTA?

Calls to Action make it very easy to contact your legislators and take very little time to complete. 

Eric Croft, Illinois farmer

Why do you think it’s important for farmers like you to speak up on policy issues?

It is important for us to speak up on policy issues because laws affect so much of agriculture, like profitability, longevity and the ability to keep a farm in the family for future generations.


How has participating in advocacy changed your view of agriculture beyond your farm?

Participating in advocacy has made me realize that in politics, sometimes it can take several years to get a particular piece of legislation passed. But, it is necessary to continue to contact our legislators through methods like Calls to Action. If we all work together, we can accomplish great things. 


Shane and Taylor
By Tara Desmond May 21, 2026
Solinftec's Solix robot uses AI to target weeds in real time, cutting chemical use up to 90%. Solar-powered, autonomous, and built for Midwest farms.
Photo taken in McLean County Museum of History
By Tara Desmond May 21, 2026
Illinois Ag Across Time - Episode 2: Tracing 200 years of Illinois farm families, innovation, and the land that fed a nation.
Don Meyer
By Tara Desmond May 21, 2026
Illinois Ag Across Time — Tracing 200 years of Illinois farm families, innovation, and the land that fed a nation.
Hammer striking corn kernels on a wooden surface, with kernels scattering in a rustic barn setting
By Lyndi Allen May 21, 2026
Ethanol is a powerhouse for American farms, fuels American vehicles, and has strengthened America’s economy for decades, but remains one of the most misunderstood fuels on the road today.
agronomy angle
By Matt Montgomery May 18, 2026
Watch for fireflies and cottonwood fluff - they tell you exactly when rootworms are hatching and whether spring rains actually hurt their numbers.
thumnail of shane and Greg
By Tara Desmond May 14, 2026
Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers joins IL Corn TV to discuss viral ag content, growing a family farm, and building a social media brand.
Show More