Three of our Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) members ended their term on July 31st.  We said thank you and not goodbye to them and are now starting to welcome three new board members:

• Steve Fourez, District 6 [Champaign, Ford, Iroquis and Vermillion Counties]
• Terry G. Smith, District 9 [Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike and Schuyler Counties]
• Daniel P. Meyer, District 12 [ Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar and Jasper Counties]

Over the next couple of weeks we will get to know them a bit better.

Here's a little bit about Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer is a farmer who lives in the same house he grew up in Northeast of Tuscola, Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he was blessed with the opportunity of taking over the operation of a local farmer to get his start in farming. This year is his 36th year of farming corn, soybeans, and some freezer beef calves. Dan's wife Dena is a retired Dental Hygienist. They have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons. 

What do you like about farming?

"What I like best about my farm operation is the family aspect of it. One son farms with me, the other helps when he can, and I have 2 older brothers that help during harvest each year," says Dan.

What made you interested in joining the Illinois Corn Marketing Board?

"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board because I got to see the enjoyment, opportunities and impact that my late father Wayne experienced when he was on the board in the late 80’s and early 90’s. In 1990, he participated in a project that included visiting Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia (which is surreal now)."

If you could tell non-farmers one thing, what would it be?

"The one thing I would like the non-farming sector to know is that we as farmers are conservationists, good stewards, and care about what and how we do things. We were raised on this land, raised our kids here, and now have been blessed with grandchildren that are roaming this land. We take care to make our soil healthy, our wells pure, and our air clean." 

In his spare time, Dan enjoys sprint car racing, whether going to watch or strap in and drive my his own car.

IL Corn is thrilled to have Dan join the Illinois Corn Marketing Board in making a difference for farmers in Illinois.

The Illinois Corn Marketing Board was established in 1982 to manage the voluntary checkoff investment that corn farmers in the state agreed to implement that year. The farmers that make up ICMB are elected by their peers to serve unpaid, three-year terms. The ICMB farmer leaders are tasked with developing and maintaining markets for corn which is Illinois' highest valued agricultural commodity.

Find out more about ICMB and the family farmers who contribute to the checkoff.