Wonder Woman in the Corn Belt: A Conversation with IL Corn's Megan Dwyer

Seven years ago, Megan Dwyer joined the IL Corn team and if you know Megan, you know she doesn't do anything halfway. She's a farmer, a Certified Crop Advisor, a business owner, a mom, and a full-time IL Corn staff member, all at once. Somehow, she makes it look manageable. (We're still not sure how.) As Megan marks her seventh anniversary with IL Corn on July 1, we sat down with her to reflect on how her perspective has grown, what drives her passion for conservation policy, and what she'd tell herself on day one if she could go back.

Q: How has your perspective on farming and conservation evolved over the past seven years?

A: When I started at IL Corn, I understood conservation from the perspective of a farmer and Certified Crop Advisor. Seven years later, I've gained a much deeper appreciation for how policy, markets, technology, and on-farm decision-making all intersect. I've become even more passionate about developing common-sense conservation policies that help farmers build resilience while remaining economically viable.

Q:As a mom raising the next generation, what lessons from farm life do you hope your children carry with them?

A: I hope they learn the value of hard work, resilience, stewardship, and service. Farming teaches you that not everything is within your control, but your attitude and effort always are. I also hope they understand the importance of showing up, telling their story, and advocating for what matters. There are fewer and fewer people in leadership positions who have a direct connection to production agriculture, and our industry needs voices willing to bridge that gap. One of my favorite verses is Job 12:7-12, which reminds us that there is wisdom to be found in the natural world if we're willing to listen and learn.

Q: What conservation practice or innovation are you most excited about right now, and why?

A: What excites me most isn't a single conservation practice—it's the pace of innovation happening on farms and the opportunity to better align policy with those advancements. Farmers today have access to precision agriculture tools that can target inputs with incredible accuracy, reduce risk, improve efficiency, and deliver environmental benefits at the same time.

The challenge is that policy often moves much slower than technology. Whether it's recognizing the capabilities of modern precision equipment in Endangered Species Act implementation or creating programs that help farmers adopt these tools, we need policies that reflect how farming is actually being done today. I'm excited about the opportunity to help bridge that gap so innovation can scale faster and farmers can be rewarded for the conservation outcomes they're already delivering.

Q: What’s one challenge from the last seven years that ended up teaching you the most?

A: One of the biggest lessons has been learning how slowly change can happen, especially in policy. It's easy to get frustrated when solutions seem obvious but progress takes years. What I've learned is that meaningful change requires persistence, relationship-building, and a willingness to keep showing up even when the answer isn't "yes" the first time.

Q: If you could go back and give yourself advice on day one of IL Corn seven years ago, what would you say?

A: Honestly, I'd probably tell myself to enjoy the ride because it all unfolded the way it was supposed to. My farm background, agronomy experience, and policy work have all come together in ways I never could have predicted. If anything, I'd tell myself to learn more quickly about the impact of the corn checkoff. Before joining IL Corn, I had no idea how much work happened behind the scenes on behalf of farmers. Seven years later, I'm incredibly proud to work for an organization that leads on the issues that matter most to Illinois corn growers. I'd encourage every farmer to get involved, get to know their district director, and see firsthand how their investment is working for them.

IL Corn is proud to recognize Megan Dwyer on her seven-year anniversary with the organization.  Her unique combination of on-farm experience, agronomy expertise, and policy knowledge makes her a tireless advocate for Illinois corn growers. Her dedication to developing common-sense conservation policy, her passion for connecting farmers to the resources and programs that serve them, and her commitment to the future of Illinois agriculture are felt across everything she does. IL Corn is grateful for her leadership and looks forward to the work ahead.