Rod Weinzierl breaks down what IL Corn really does — from crop insurance breakthroughs to river infrastructure to advice for the next generation of farmers.

When Shane Gray sat down with Monica Ognio for this episode of IL Corn TV , they quickly discovered they had more in common than corn and onions. Monica farms with her family in Lima, Peru, where they've grown onions for export for more than 40 years. Their operation also raises sweet potatoes, pecans, pomegranates, strawberries and grapes for pisco on land transformed from desert through reservoirs, wells and drip irrigation. "You can have on one side the whole desert, and then you turn to the other side," she says. A Shared Passion for Teaching and Farming Like Shane, Monica has balanced farming with a career in education, teaching at an international school. Their shared experiences led to a conversation about women in agriculture, global markets and what it takes to produce a high-quality crop. Monica joined the Global Farmer Network after a chance conversation during a farm visit and now connects with farmers worldwide to share ideas on food security, weather challenges and everyday farming solutions. "Having a firsthand connection with somebody... that's a privilege," she says. Farming Challenges Know No Borders With 2026 recognized as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Monica reflected on becoming a second-generation farmer and encouraged others to build strong teams and rely on trusted experts. "It doesn't matter your age, it doesn't matter the gender," she says. "If you really look at agriculture as an opportunity, there are lots of things that you can do." Many of the challenges she faces mirror those in Illinois, including unpredictable weather, rising input costs, pest pressure and meeting strict export standards where even a small blemish can keep an onion out of the international market. Watch or listen to the full conversation on IL Corn TV to hear more about farming Peru's desert coastline, exporting to a changing global market and the lessons Monica has learned along the way.

E15, E20, E30: What the Research Really Shows

What Illinois Farmers Should Know About the People Opening Global Doors for Their Grain

How much do you know about the farmers who came before you and the decisions that still shape Illinois agriculture today? That's what University of Illinois student Lyndon Shi set out to explore during his internship with IL Corn . What began as an archival research project became a deeper look at the history of farmer leadership, innovation and advocacy in Illinois. While digging through university archives, Lyndon uncovered an undigitized manuscript from agricultural economist Harold Guither explaining the case for checkoffs. When he mentioned the discovery to IL Corn Director Rod Weinzierl, he got an unexpected response: "Oh yeah, I know him. We worked with him." It was a reminder that agricultural history isn't as distant as it may seem. Lyndon's research connected two eras of the IL Corn Growers Association: the original organization founded in the 1890s and the modern ICGA established in the 1970s. He learned how University of Illinois agriculture dean Eugene Davenport helped organize corn growers and sent professors across the state on "Corn Gospel Trains" to share the latest farming research. One story stood out in particular: the adoption of hybrid corn. Farmers who once judged corn by the appearance of the ear had to shift their focus to yield. Lyndon sees a similar transition today, as farmers increasingly balance yield with profitability amid rising input costs. "Illinois corn farmers are very good at organizing, and they are genuinely very grassroots," Lyndon said. "They've had a much more active role in shaping policy rather than just being on the receiving end." This Summer and Fall, Lyndon will travel to Taiwan on a federal scholarship to study food security. He'll do so with a new appreciation for Illinois agriculture's global connections, including Taiwan's longstanding role as an important trading partner. Watch the full conversation on IL Corn TV to hear Lyndon's research firsthand and discover how Illinois corn's history continues to influence the future.

Agriculture drives 20% of the U.S. economy & 1 in 5 jobs. See what the Feeding the Economy report means for Illinois corn farmers.

Brazilian agronomist Yara shares her journey from Iowa State to a 2,400-acre family farm and how the Global Farmer Network is uniting farmers worldwide.

Meet John Klemm - 5th-generation Illinois farmer, IL Corn TV host, coffee addict, and the guy who can't stop quoting the Menard's jingle.

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.

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.

ISU student Jacob Edens shares how a childhood tractor ride sparked a farming passion, a Ford 8N restoration, and building ag community at college.