SPRINGFIELD (Aug. 15, 2017) – Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed a series of agriculture bills, including House Bill 470, which designates corn as the official state grain of Illinois and is supported by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Primary bill sponsor state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said HB 470 is inspired by the Pittsfield High School agriculture development class, which did extensive research on the impact corn has on the state.

WATERLOO, Iowa (August 10, 2017) - Join Silos & Smokestacks for a bus tour through Northeast Iowa.  Visit three historic barns, a bonus stop at a winery and along the way enjoy the documentary, The Barn Raisers. 

WATERLOO, Iowa - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area with an Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Award in recognition of their leadership in agritourism and sustainable heritage development. Northey recognized the efforts by Silos & Smokestacks to highlight the land, people, and communities in northeast Iowa that tell the story of agriculture in Iowa.  

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, August 2, 2017 - Deb Keller, a farmer from Clarion, Iowa, was elected as U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Chair on Wednesday at the organization's 57th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Washington. Keller, who represents Iowa Corn farmers with her USGC board seat, is a second-generation farmer and the past chair of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. She will be the first woman to serve as Chair in USGC's 60-year history.