ICGA's role in nurturing ag policy leaders

Monday, October 16, 2023

The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) invests in the industry’s youth by sponsoring a trip for Illinois FFA State officers and section presidents to attend the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress. In addition, ICGA offers internships to students interested in agricultural policy.

Several young adults have benefited from ICGA’s youth and internship programs. Kylie Bohman is now a legislative aide covering agriculture and energy for Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). Brodee McCormick is a policy intern for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council. Emma Freebairn is an intern for the U.S. Grains Council.

All three individuals said their experiences with ICGA helped them pave a path for their careers in agricultural policy.

IL Corn Managing Director Jim Tarmann said the FFA program and internships were created to pave a way for the next generation in agricultural policy. He said the program was created to expose participants to the political process, no matter what their career path looks like in the future.

Tarmann said more and more legislative offices are employing individuals who have not been exposed to agriculture. This creates a steep learning curve and can be a challenge for the industry. He said ICGAwanted to help students interested in politics understand the pathway that could lead them to an internship or future employment in D.C.

Bohman said she felt like the agriculture industry gave her a really good direction and specialty knowledge that she was able to see in general politics. She said she enjoyed getting practical knowledge on how the world works.

McCormick said his experiences with IL Corn gave him the confidence he needed to start his internship in Washington D.C. He said he felt like he could do the job because he had the background he needed to navigate his role.

Freebairn said her prior experiences in D.C. with Illinois FFA laid a solid foundation for her role as an intern for the U.S. Grains Council. She said her role allowed her to directly impact the corn industry.

All three individuals said they are grateful for the opportunities ICGA provided them. They said their experiences with ICGA helped them pave a path for their careers in agricultural policy.