IL CORN TV

Hosted by IL Corn

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Episodes

134

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

IL Corn is made up of two farmer-led organizations that serve corn farmers in Illinois: IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB). ICGA represents the interests of Illinois corn farmers in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL, while ICMB is focused on growing demand, creating new markets, and fostering understanding of corn farmers and the corn industry. Through these two organizations, IL Corn seeks to position corn farmers to create and capture profit opportunities, preserve their independence, and prosper for generations.

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60 recent

October 27, 2026Episode 13413 min

How the Vial of Life Saves Lives

Every second counts in an emergency, and having your medical info ready to go can make all the difference for first responders. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray sits down with Greg Scott and Dana Williamson from Carle Health @CarleHealth to talk about the Vial of Life, a simple, easy tool that puts your medications, allergies, medical history, and emergency contacts right where first responders can find them fast. Greg and Dana walk through how the Vial of Life works, where to keep it, and why it's such a smart move for farmers and rural families especially. They also dig into how Carle Health is showing up for rural communities through health screenings and education. Key Takeaways: 00:00 – Introducing Greg Scott and Dana Williamson 2:25 – When Medical Info Becomes a Matter of Minutes 3:54 – Meet the Vial of Life 6:12 – What Belongs Inside Your Vial of Life 7:12 – Keeping Your Info Up to Date 8:18 – Getting Your Own Vial of Life 9:50 – Health Resources You'll Find at Midwest Ag Expo 10:36 – How First Responders Track It Down 11:56 – Out in the Community 12:45 – Not to be Corny Joke 13:20 – Wrapping It Up Learn more about Carle Health: https://carle.org/ More about Illinois Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 📲 Follow @ilcorn on social media for updates, industry insights, and future episodes. 👍 If this one hit home, give it a like, follow along, and pass it on to someone who cares about farm safety, being prepared, and keeping rural communities healthy. #ILCornTV #VialOfLife #FarmSafety #FirstResponders #RuralHealth #Agriculture #FarmLife #EmergencyPreparedness #CarleHealth

October 19, 2026Episode 13314 min

How Farming Taught Chris to Keep Going

Sometimes, the biggest obstacles can teach us how capable we really are. Host Shane Gray sits down with Chris Koch, a Canadian farmer, motivational speaker, and adaptive athlete who was born missing his arms and legs. Chris shares how growing up around farming taught him to find a way forward, whether that meant learning to operate farm equipment, helping during harvest, or taking on challenges most people would never expect. The conversation explores Chris’s journey from working on farms to becoming a motivational speaker and adaptive athlete, including his experience completing the Chicago Marathon. Chris also shares why he believes failure is one of life’s greatest teachers and why he is more afraid of regret than failure. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Meet Chris Koch 1:28 – Growing Up on the Farm 2:45 – The DOT Story 4:23 – Finding His Place in Agriculture 6:05 – What Farming Taught Chris About Obstacles 7:50 – Not to be Corny 8:40 – The Mindset of “Figure It Out” 10:00 – Chris’s Journey Into Motivational Speaking 11:50 – Why Regret Is Worse Than Failure 13:30 – Final Thoughts 🌱 Learn more about IL Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📍 Find out more about Chris Koch: https://www.ifican.ca/about 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in farming, agriculture, resilience, and overcoming obstacles. #ILCornTV #Farming #Agriculture #AdaptiveAthlete #MotivationalSpeaker #Farmer #Resilience #OvercomingObstacles #FarmingLife #AgricultureStories

October 12, 2026Episode 13221 min

What Drives Today's Fertilizer Costs

What really drives the price of fertilizer? From global supply chains to trade relationships and limited competition, farmers are dealing with a market where events halfway around the world can quickly affect what they pay. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Collin Watters talks with Josh Linville, Vice President of Fertilizer at StoneX, about the forces shaping today’s fertilizer market. They unpack what’s happening with nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, and why producing more fertilizer in the U.S. isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Josh also shares how market consolidation can affect competition, supplier relationships, and farmers’ ability to speak openly about pricing concerns. The conversation also explores fertilizer innovation and what it could take to build a more reliable and stable supply for farmers. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Inside Today’s Fertilizer Market 2:46– Why Fertilizer Prices Keep Moving 3:00 – When Global Events Hit the Farm 4:46 – Why Is U.S. Nitrogen Production So Limited? 9:00 – Where Competition Comes In 10:30 – When Supply Drives the Price 12:10 – Speaking Up in the Fertilizer Market 13:41 - Corny Joke 14:51 – What a More Reliable Supply Could Look Like 19:02 – Can Fertilizer Innovation Change the Game? 21:15– Final Thoughts on the Fertilizer Market 📍 Learn more about StoneX: https://www.stonex.com/en/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, and share it with someone interested in fertilizer markets, farming, agriculture, and the future of U.S. fertilizer supply. #ILCornTV #Fertilizer #FertilizerPrices #Farming #Agriculture #Farmers #Nitrogen #Phosphate #Potash #FertilizerMarket

October 5, 2026Episode 13116 min

How Farmers Can Fight Food Misinformation

Telling the story of modern agriculture takes more than facts. It takes communication, shared values, and a willingness to speak up. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Michelle Miller, better known as the Farm Babe @thefarmbabe, about her journey from an urban background to farming and her work helping consumers better understand modern agriculture. Michelle shares how her own misconceptions about farming changed after she became involved in agriculture. They discuss GMOs, pesticides, food labels, social media misinformation, and how farmers can have more productive conversations with consumers. Michelle also shares the story of how speaking up about a Burger King campaign led to a conversation with the company and a new approach to telling the story of farmers and sustainability. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Meet the Farm Babe 1:58 – Trading City Life for Farm Life 4:48 – The Beliefs Farming Changed 5:53 – Why Farmers and Consumers Feel So Far Apart 7:30 – Talking Agriculture Without the Fight 10:03 – The Burger King Conversation 12:50 – Why Speaking Up Matters 14:31 – Not to be Corny 15:18 – Building Trust With Consumers 16:23 – Wrapping Up Learn more about The Farm Babe: https://thefarmbabe.com/ More about Illinois Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org #ILCornTV #FarmBabe #MichelleMiller #Agriculture #ModernAgriculture #AgCommunication #Farmers #GMOs #Pesticides #AgAdvocacy

September 28, 2026Episode 1306 min

How One Illinois FFA Student Turned a Luffa Project Into a Business

Sometimes a school project can turn into something much bigger. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Lyndi Allen talks with Madelyn Davin, an Illinois FFA State Champion and national finalist from Staunton High School, about her specialty crop project, FFA experience, and interest in the future of agriculture. Madelyn shares how she started growing luffa gourds with just 10 plants and grew the project to around 30 plants. She explains how she grows, cleans, and sells the luffas, turning a school project into a small business. They also discuss her research into agrivoltaics, why solar panels shouldn’t always go on productive farmland, and how agriculture and renewable energy can work together. Episode Highlights: 000:00 – Meet Madelyn Davin 01:00 – From FFA to the Soccer Field 1:19 – Growing Luffa Gourds 2:19 – Turning Luffas Into a Business 2:52 – A Favorite FFA Memory 3:35 – Agrivoltaics: Solar Panels Meet Farmland 5:12 – The Spark Behind Madelyn's Research 5:46 – Final Thoughts 📍 Learn more about IL Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 Sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org #ILCornTV #FFA #IllinoisFFA #SpecialtyCrops #Agrivoltaics #AgEducation #Agriculture #FutureOfFarming #IllinoisAgriculture #ILCorn

September 21, 2026Episode 12912 min

How Family Farms Are Thriving Through Agritourism

What happens when Dolly Parton meets the world of corn mazes? This fall, farms across the U.S. and Canada are bringing Dolly’s legacy to life while creating new ways for families to experience agriculture. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke talks with Annette Jenkins, Manager at All Seasons Orchard, and Kamille Combs, Marketing Director for The Maize, about the growing world of corn mazes, family farms, and the special Dolly Parton collaboration supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Annette shares what makes All Seasons Orchard a favorite fall destination, while Kamille explains how corn mazes can help small farms diversify their income. They also explore the story behind the Dolly Parton collaboration and how 20 farms are turning corn mazes into memorable family experiences. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Welcome to All Seasons Orchard 1:00 – More Than Just a Corn Maze 1:31 – Bringing New Life to the Family Farm 3:04 – How Dolly Parton Came to the Maze 4:40 – What Makes the Maze a Hit 4:58 – A Few Corny Moments 5:30 – Apples, Family & Farm Traditions 6:38 – Behind the Scenes at the Orchard 7:24 – A Big Year for the Corn Maze 8:29 – More Than Just Getting Lost 9:48 – The Memories That Bring Families Back 11:15 – Find a Dolly Maze Near You 11:54 – Wrapping Up the Conversation 📍 Learn more about All Seasons Orchard and The Maize: https://www.allseasonsorchard.com/ https://themaize.com/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, and share it with someone interested in Dolly Parton, corn mazes, family farms, agritourism, and Illinois agriculture. #ILCornTV #DollyParton #CornMaze #Agritourism #FamilyFarms #IllinoisAgriculture #DollysImaginationLibrary #AllSeasonsOrchard

September 14, 2026Episode 12813 min

Why Farmers Are Turning to Spray Drones

There’s a lot more to farming than planting and harvesting. For Clayton DeYoung, it’s also about spotting problems in the field, trying new technology, and finding creative ways to grow his business. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Clayton, a farmer and agricultural entrepreneur from Melvin, Illinois, about crop scouting, photography, and his work with agricultural drones. Clayton shares what he’s learned from identifying crop diseases, how photography turned into a side business, and where drones can make a real difference in the field. They also talk about spray drones, LiDAR, drone training, and what new technology could mean for the next generation of farmers. Episode Highlights 0:00 – Introduction: Clayton DeYoung 1:54 – Crop Scouting Insights 4:23 – From Photography to Business 6:53 – Agricultural Drone Operations 8:08– How Spray Drones Improve Productivity 10:12 – Becoming a Certified Drone Operator 11:18 – Inspiring the Next Generation 11:50 – Not to be Corny 12:26 – Closing Thoughts 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For inquiries about IL Corn TV sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow, and share it with someone interested in farming, ag technology, drones, and the future of agriculture. #ILCornTV #Agriculture #Farming #AgTechnology #DronesInAgriculture #PrecisionAg #CropScouting #IllinoisFarmers

September 7, 2026Episode 1279 min

Can Corn Fuel the Future of Flight

The future of corn demand may depend on what happens beyond the farm and inside the research facilities working to turn new ideas into real-world fuel solutions. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Evan, a visiting research fellow and operator at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, about the research and innovation shaping the future of ethanol and renewable fuels. Evan gives a look inside NCERC and explains how researchers test new technologies, explore ways to improve ethanol production, and identify opportunities to create more demand for corn. The conversation also explores the potential of sustainable aviation fuel and maritime fuel, along with the financial and production challenges that must be addressed before these markets can grow at scale. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Meet Evan and NCERC 2:34 – Inside NCERC 3:30 – New Ways to Create Demand for Corn 3:50 – Not to Be Corny 4:55 – What’s Holding Back Sustainable Aviation Fuel? 5:55 – The Potential of Maritime Fuel 7:06 – How Farming Practices Affect Ethanol 8:08 – How Illinois Corn Growers Support NCERC 9:37 – The Future of Ethanol by 2035 10:30 – Closing Thoughts 📍 Learn more about the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center: https://www.siue.edu/ncerc/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, and share it with someone interested in ethanol, renewable fuels, corn demand, and the future of agriculture. #ILCornTV #Ethanol #CornDemand #NCERC #Biofuels #RenewableFuels #SAF #SustainableAviationFuel #AgTech #CornInnovation #IllinoisAgriculture #FutureOfFarming

August 31, 2026Episode 12618 min

The Secret to a 159-Year Family Farm

Building a farm that lasts for generations takes more than hard work. It takes family, adaptability, good stewardship, and a willingness to keep learning and sharing what works. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Lou Lamoreaux, a 2024 Master Farmer from Lanark, Illinois, about his family’s farm, beef cattle production, and the lessons he has learned through decades in agriculture and leadership. Lou shares the history of his family farm, established in 1867, and how the next generation has stepped into management. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Meet Lou Lamoreaux, 2024 Master Farmer 1:25 – Farming Secrets Worth Sharing 2:00 – Why Farmers Share What Works 2:30 – A Family Farm Since 1867 4:49 – Bringing the Next Generation Back 5:13 – Growing More Than Just Corn 5:28 – Not to Be Corny 6:16 – Why Genetics Matter in Cattle 8:25 – The Rising Cost of Raising Cattle 9:59 – Why Comfort Matters for Cattle 11:00 – Keeping Cattle Healthy and Comfortable 12:24 – The Best Part of Raising Cattle 13:05 – The Future of Beef Farming 14:16 – The Labor Challenge in Agriculture 16:00 – What the Illinois Corn Checkoff Supports 17:20 – New Uses for Corn 18:04 – Closing Thoughts Learn about Lamoreux Family Farms: https://www.facebook.com/Lamfambeef/ More about Illinois Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 📲 Follow @ilcorn on social media for updates, industry insights, and future episodes. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, and share it with someone interested in family farming, livestock production, leadership, and the future of agriculture. #ILCornTV #BeefCattle #FamilyFarming #Agriculture #Livestock #FarmLife #CattleProduction #Ethanol #SustainableAviationFuel #NextGenerationFarmers

August 24, 2026Episode 12514 min

Water Quality Starts on the Farm

How can farmers protect water quality while also improving soil health and farm profitability? Host Megan Dwyer sits down with Rachel Curry, an Agriculture and Agribusiness Educator at the University of Illinois Extension @UIExtension, to explore nutrient loss, water quality, and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The conversation breaks down where nutrient loss comes from, how point and non-point sources differ, and why addressing water quality requires a statewide effort. Rachel also shares how conservation practices such as cover crops and no-till can help farmers retain nutrients in the soil, reduce input costs, and support long-term farm profitability. Key Takeaways: 00:00 – Meet Rachel Curry & Nutrient Loss Reduction 00:48 – The Importance of Open Communication 01:35 – Understanding the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy 03:52 – Point Source vs. Non-Point Source Pollution 05:30 – Not To Be Corny 06:10 – Connecting Water Quality, Soil Health & Profitability 07:25 – How Conservation Practices Can Reduce Input Costs 09:22 – Common Misconceptions About Agriculture & Nutrient Loss 12:12 – Challenges of Cover Crops, No-Till & Rented Ground 12:42 – Why Farmers Care About Water Quality 13:29 – Protecting Water, Farmers & Communities 13:43 – Final Thoughts Find more: University of Illinois Extension: https://illinois.edu/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in water quality, soil health, conservation, and the future of Illinois agriculture. #WaterQuality #NutrientLoss #SoilHealth #Conservation #CoverCrops #NoTill #IllinoisAgriculture #FarmProfitability #ILCornTV