Valentine's Day Can be Corny

February 14, 2024

It’s a day some of us may dread or love but IL Corn took this as a chance to partner with another ag company to spread the love.

 

“Prairie State Tractor caught my attention with their innovative and engaging content on Tik Tok which made me reach out to collaborate on this lovely holiday,” said Tara Desmond Marketing & Communications Manager at IL Corn.

 

After some brainstorming, IL Corn & Prairie State Tractor landed on cute and funny corny pick up lines but we also find it fun to educate farmers and non-farmers on the connections to corn and farming on this holiday. Watch this short video:

Non-farmers may not know that 99% of corn grown in Illinois is field corn. Field or dent corn has over 4,000 uses but isn't the sweet corn we think about that comes in the can in the store. Field corn is used to make corn syrup.

Corn syrup is a common ingredient in many hard candy recipes. It's a thick, light golden syrup made from pure glucose, a simple sugar. Corn syrup is used in candies to:

  • Prevent sugar crystals from forming
  • Provide shine
  • Give hard candy a smooth texture

So when you give that sweet treat to your friend, partner or whomever on this Valentine's Day - remember that corn farmers helped. 

Valentine's Day Corny Card
By Tara Desmond February 11, 2026
From chocolates to fuel tanks, discover the surprising ways corn connects to Valentine’s Day and find thoughtful gift ideas for your favorite farmer.
IL Corn is made up of ICGA and ICMB
By Tara Desmond February 11, 2026
Discover how ICGA and ICMB serve Illinois corn farmers through advocacy and checkoff investments—two roles working together as IL Corn.
graphic of John and steve
By Tara Desmond February 11, 2026
Feeding Illinois shares how farmers, food banks and volunteers work together through Farm to Food Bank and Grain for Good on IL Corn TV.
Aerial view of a busy port with cargo ships, cranes, and stacked shipping containers, with a body of water and city in the background.
By Lyndi Allen February 11, 2026
USMCA is known for being a trade success story for the various beneficial pathways that it provides for North Americans, which is why it must be fully enforced and renewed on time.
collage of pics of Chris Gould
By Tara Desmond February 5, 2026
Former Navy fighter pilot Chris Gould shares how military leadership, sustainability, and teamwork shape success on his Illinois corn farm.
graphic of where IL Corn goes
By Tara Desmond February 5, 2026
Illinois corn farmers invest checkoff dollars with one goal in mind: creating long-term value for every bushel grown.
Show More