Carlson to lead ICGA

A view of Tuesday's annual meeting of the ICGA at the Marriott Hotel in Normal / CIFN photo.

NORMAL – The newly elected president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association remains hopeful when it comes to the future of the corn industry.

“Hopefully, a farm bill takes place on my watch,” Aron Carlson said. “We’ve got some tax reform that is starting to work its way through D.C. now.”

Carlson is from northern Illinois and farms in the Rockford area. He has a business partner and has been farming since 1991 when he graduated from high school. This has been a challenging year from the weather standpoint as Carlson still has to harvest around 900 acres of corn.

“We got the beans out so everything else is smooth sailing I hope.”

During Tuesday’s annual meeting of the ICGA, Jeff Jarboe gave an update on grassroots efforts. He noted county organizations continue to be the backbone at the local level when it comes to the corn industry. Counties recognized for their efforts include: DeKalb, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, Livingston, Monroe-St. Clair, Peoria, Tazewell, Wayne and Will.

Illinois Corn Marketing Board chairman Paul Jeschke also presented a report at the meeting.

“It’s great being a part of this organization,” he said.

From Jeschke’s farm near Mazon northward, there are quite a few crops standing out in the field yet. He admits it has been a challenge to try and improve the profitability of corn farmers in Illinois. Jeschke reminded the audience that checkoff dollars are being used to help the public better understand farming.