To celebrate #givingtuesday, we’re offering a bit of a different take on the idea. 

Who does IL Corn give money to?

Granted, these are not charitable organizations and farmers do not invest their money in the Illinois corn checkoff because they want us to do charitable work (though we do SOME charitable work!).  These are the organizations we partner with and provide funds to, to help accomplish our mission of improving corn farmers’ profitability.

U.S. GRAINS COUNCIL: The U.S. Grains Council works all over the world to increase the amount of corn and corn co-products we can sell overseas. USGC has offices in 10 different countries. and enjoy working within those countries promoting U.S. corn, U.S. ethanol, and U.S barley and sorghum.  They encourage buyers to consider U.S. corn, they help settle trade disputes, and they create new markets overseas.  Overall, they build export market demand for Illinois corn which impacts your bottom line.

U.S. MEAT EXPORT FEDERATION: USMEF has a very similar mission to the U.S. Grains Council, only they specialize in marketing red meat overseas.  They also have many country offices, where USMEF employees pay attention to food trends and determine how U.S. beef and pork can fit into those trends.  They simply try to sell more U.S. red meat overseas and add value to each carcass.  With one out of every four hogs exported out of the U.S., this is a huge value opportunity.

U.S.A. POULTRY AND EGG EXPORT COUNCIL:  Ditto everything for U.S. Grains Council and USMEF, only for poultry and egg products.  Did you know that poultry consumes more corn than pork or beef?

NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION: Certainly, IL Corn is interested in funding their national organization fully so that the corn industry can have a united voice nationwide.  NCGA represents the corn industry in marketing and PR efforts like Common Ground and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, they conduct research that benefits the industry, and they are active in Washington, D.C.

ILLINOIS PORK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION & ILLINOIS BEEF ASSOCIATION: Corn farmers are best served when their markets are vibrant and healthy.  IL Corn partners with IPPA and IBA on a myriad of projects and member service opportunities to support the livestock industry in Illinois.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM: The best way to impact the future is to educate future voters today, when they are still young.  Ag in the Classroom partners with IL Corn to provide ag education to rural and non-rural schools through programs and presentations to students, free curriculum, and continuing education for teachers.  Because a vast majority of Americans are removed from the farm, this effort becomes increasingly important.

WATERWAYS COUNCIL INC: Years and years later, IL Corn is still working to get funding for upgraded locks and dams on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.  Waterways Council Inc is a coalition of all interested industries who want to build new locks and dams working together to obtain funding.  Investing in transportation is important for farmers who will save considerable money when efficiencies are realized.

IL Corn gives to other groups, organizations, and partnerships too!  These are but a sampling of the work that we are involved in, helping to make the corn industry in Illinois as profitable as possible for our farmers.

Thank you for the opportunity to work on your behalf!