IL CORN TV

Real decisions in agriculture go well beyond the field. They’re shaped by people, policy, and how farmers adapt as things change. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Shane Gray talks with Andrew Jolly, a fourth-generation Illinois farmer and farm manager at Heartland Bank and Trust. They discuss Andrew's experience in Washington, D.C. through the IL Corn GROW Program, what farm managers look for i...

Monica Ognio, a second-generation onion farmer from Peru, educator, and leader with the Global Farmer Network, sits down with IL Corn TV host Shane Gray for an honest conversation about agriculture, community, and what it really takes to farm in challenging conditions. She shares how she stepped into her family's operation, why she got involved in global farmer advocacy, and what farmers in P...

Explore the facts behind ethanol, E15, and the future of higher-octane fuels in America. Automotive engineer and ethanol researcher Brian West joins host Shane Gray to break down some of the biggest myths surrounding ethanol blends, fuel efficiency, engine performance, and consumer concerns around E15. Drawing from more than 30 years of research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brian explains why...

What does it take to connect Illinois corn farmers to global markets, and why does trade policy matter more than most people realize? In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray sits down with Andrew Brandt, Director of Trade Policy for the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council, to break down how global trade decisions directly impact U.S. corn demand, farm profitability, and the long-term future...

From uncovering forgotten agricultural manuscripts to tracing the evolution of hybrid corn and the IL Corn Growers Association, University of Illinois student and IL Corn intern Lyndon Shi joins host Lindsay Croke to explore how Illinois agriculture history continues to shape modern farming and global food systems. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:44 - The Internship Journey & Harold Guither...

Behind every meal, product, and paycheck is a system many don’t fully see, but it all starts with agriculture. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke sits down with John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, to break down the Feeding the Economy report and what it reveals about the true scale of agriculture in the U.S. economy. John shares how agriculture and its rel...

Agriculture today is shaped not just by where you farm, but by how globally connected you are, and the leaders who step forward to share their voice. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Yara de Geus, a Brazilian agronomist, family farmer, and member of the Global Farmer Network. As we celebrate the Year of the International Woman Farmer, Yara shares her journey from growing u...

Bringing robotics and artificial intelligence into the field is changing how farmers think about weed control and efficiency. In this episode of ILCorn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Taylor Wetli, U.S. Commercial Manager for Solinftec, about the Solix Autonomous Sprayer and the future of precision agriculture. Taylor explains how AI-powered cameras detect weeds in real time, enabling plant-by-plan...

Making farm parody videos that reach millions of people doesn’t happen overnight. It takes creativity, consistency, and a willingness to tell agriculture’s story in a way that actually connects. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray sits down with Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers to talk about how a simple classroom idea at Kansas State University turned into viral farm music p...

You don’t need a farm in your family to find your place in agriculture.  In this episode of IL Corn TV, Lyndi Allen chats with Jacob Edens, an Illinois State University student who discovered his passion for farming early on. Jacob shares what it was like starting his first farm job with no experience, restoring his great-grandfather’s Ford 8N tractor, and turning those early experiences into oppo...

Hear how decades in agriculture shaped one leader’s career and community impact. DeAnne Bloomberg, Vice President of Programs at the Galesburg Community Foundation and former Illinois Farm Bureau leader, reflects on nearly 35 years in farming—from the 1980s farm crisis to the rise of ethanol and changing grain markets. She shares lessons on leadership, growth, and giving back to rural communities....

Running a farm and a trucking business at the same time takes more than hard work. It takes focus, communication, and smart decision-making. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke goes live from the field with Brady Gray of Gray Family Farms in central Illinois. While planting, Brady shares what it’s like working alongside his dad and grandfather, growing their operation over the years,...

What does it take to be a queen and an ambassador for Illinois agriculture? IL Corn TV host Shane Gray talks with Krista Phillips, the 2026 Illinois County Fair Queen. Krista shares her journey from pageants to public speaking, how she connects with FFA students and legislators, and what it means to “harvest attention and plant curiosity.” She also reflects on building confidence, advocating for a...

Explore how leadership and community involvement can strengthen agriculture from the ground up. Marty Marr, a Central Illinois farmer and former president of the IL Corn Growers Association, joins host Shane Gray to talk about the value of farmer advocacy, conservation programs like Precision Conservation Management, and the importance of staying engaged in organizations that support agriculture a...

What does it take for a farmer to influence agricultural policy beyond the farm gate? In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray sits down with Randy DeSutter, a farmer from Woodhull, Illinois who has spent decades advocating for growers at both the state and national levels. Randy reflects on his experience with the IL Corn Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association, shares...

In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke sits down with Mark Lambert, a communications legend with decades of experience at IL Corn. Mark revisits his early days of ag advocacy—from the era of a single-computer office to launching massive, high-impact campaigns in the heart of D.C. They discuss why effective communication is always about people, not just tools. Mark shares the stories beh...

Shane Gray sits down with David Kleinschmidt, farmer and agronomist at Progressive Consulting Services, to break down the real story behind cover crops. This conversation goes far beyond erosion control. David unpacks the economics and biology driving sustainable systems—from turning cover crops into a revenue opportunity through programs like 45Z and EQIP, to understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N...

In this episode of ILCorn TV, host John Klemm sits down with Christy George, President and CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the state’s massive $13 billion economic momentum. Christy breaks down why Illinois remains the "Why Illinois" choice for global giants, the tactical importance of our unique rail and river infrastructure, and the state’s aggressive p...

From the hay rack to the headliner stage, Cody Diekhoff—the man behind Chicago Farmer—proves that the grit of an Illinois farm is the perfect foundation for a life in music. In this episode of ILCorn TV, Shane Gray sits down with Cody to discuss his transition from a Delevan "study hall poet" to a premier Midwest storyteller. Cody draws striking parallels between the seasonal discipline...

Balancing the books and the biology of the farm is the ultimate goal for any producer.  In this episode of ILCorn TV, host John Klemm welcomes Kate Baker, the new Precision Conservation Management (PCM) specialist for Southeastern Illinois. With a Master’s in soil science from SIU, Kate brings academic rigor to real-world field challenges.  She discusses how PCM bridges the gap between conservatio...

Success in the field isn't just about the seed you plant; it’s about the strategy you build before the planter ever leaves the shed.  In this episode of IL Corn TV, host John Klemm and Ryan Gentle (Agronomy Manager at Wyffels Hybrids) dive deep into the lessons of 2025 and the hurdles of 2026. From the "dual-threat" disease pressure of Tar Spot and Southern Rust to the current deep-...

Discover how a "farmer-first" mindset is the foundation for ending food insecurity across Illinois.  In this episode of IL Corn TV, host John Klemm sits down with Steve Erickson, Executive Director of Feeding Illinois, to discuss the powerful intersection of agriculture and hunger relief.  They explore the success of the "Farm to Food Bank" initiative and the innovative "G...

True leadership is defined by transferable discipline; whether navigating the skies at Mach speed or managing a multi-generation farm, the process determines the result.  In this episode of ILCorn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Chris Gould, a 10-year Navy fighter pilot turned third-generation farmer. They discuss the "three-legged stool" of sustainability, profitability, and community, a...

Join Lindsay Croke from IL Corn TV as she sits down with Mike Malloy, co-founder of Aerterra. They discuss how the difficult problem of indoor air quality led to a surprising solution: corn.  Learn how Aerterra is utilizing corn-derived biopolymers (PLA) to create high-performance HVAC filters that replace fossil-fuel-based plastics, creating a high-value market for American farmers and supporting...

From growing up on a diversified family farm to building a career in ag communications, Illinois farmer and marketing coordinator Ava Kinder joins host Lindsay Croke to share her journey and the impact of Illinois Agri-Women. Ava reflects on life on the family farm, the power of networking, and how women across generations continue to shape agriculture through leadership, education, and community...