Convention Press Release
GFAI’s 133rd Annual Convention Highlights Industry Issues, Leadership Changes, and Scholarship Support
The Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) brought together hundreds of grain, feed, and agribusiness professionals February 15–17 for its 133rd Annual Convention and Trade Show at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. The three-day event drew members from across Illinois and associate members from around the country, offering a mix of educational programming, industry insights, and networking opportunities.
A key component of the annual event is the Association’s Business Meeting, during which GFAI members elected new officers and directors to guide the organization in the year ahead. Spencer Janssen of Litchfield Farmers Grain and Livestock Company was elected President of GFAI, succeeding Mark Heil of Prairie Central Co-Op. Heil will continue to serve the Association as Executive Committee Chairman. Derrick Bruhn of Topflight Grain Cooperative, Eric Wuthrich of Farmers Grain Company of Roseville, and Joe Logsdon of Tremont Co-op Grain Co. will serve on the Executive Committee.
Several individuals were also elected to serve two-year terms as Area Directors:
Cory Winstead of GROWMARK, Inc. and Eric DeLong of The DeLong Co. Inc.. will serve as At-Large Directors, and the Association appointed three Alliance Directors: Eric Flick (Farm Credit Illinois), Reid Clary (AssuredPartners Agribusiness), and Michael Kaeb (White Commercial Corporation).
Jim Cronin of Rock River Lumber & Grain Co., Dustin Loseke of The Scoular Company, Jeff Hendricks of Top Ag Cooperative, Drew Partain of Ladd Elevator Company, and Ashley Thole of Mt. Vernon Elevator Co. will continue to serve in their roles on the Board of Directors.
GFAI also recognized outgoing Board members for completing their terms of service, including Dave Kunken (RCM Co-op), Todd McTaggart (Evergreen FS, Inc.), Brian Burke (John Stewart & Associates), and Joe Alsup (Gardiner + Company CPAs).
Throughout the convention, attendees received updates and analysis from a diverse slate of speakers. Keynote speaker Chuck Gallagher opened the event with a forward-looking discussion on artificial intelligence, ethics, and communication. Additional sessions featured Andrew Schimpf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on inland navigation challenges; Rob Huston of Innovative Grain on practical applications of AI in agriculture; and Ken Eriksen of Polaris Analytics and Consulting on the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Energy policy updates were provided by Leonard Jones and Ryan Schonhoff of Ameren Illinois, while Matthew Makens of Makens Weather LLC examined global climate patterns affecting crop production. Jacqui Fatka of CoBank offered an overview of current trends in the agricultural economy. The Association was also pleased to host USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, as he delivered federal policy updates and allowed members to participate in a Q&A session.
In addition to professional programming, GFAI continued its longstanding commitment to supporting future industry leaders. Five students were recognized as 2025–2026 GFAI Scholarship recipients:
Convention attendees also raised more than $14,000 for the GFAI Scholarship Program through raffle ticket sales and a silent auction — an achievement the Association credits to strong member engagement and support.
Association staff expressed appreciation to the sponsors, exhibitors, presenters, and attendees whose participation contributed to another successful event.
The Grain and Feed Association of Illinois will host its 134th Annual Convention and Trade Show February 15–16, 2027 in Peoria, Illinois.
END.
The Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) brought together hundreds of grain, feed, and agribusiness professionals February 15–17 for its 133rd Annual Convention and Trade Show at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. The three-day event drew members from across Illinois and associate members from around the country, offering a mix of educational programming, industry insights, and networking opportunities.
A key component of the annual event is the Association’s Business Meeting, during which GFAI members elected new officers and directors to guide the organization in the year ahead. Spencer Janssen of Litchfield Farmers Grain and Livestock Company was elected President of GFAI, succeeding Mark Heil of Prairie Central Co-Op. Heil will continue to serve the Association as Executive Committee Chairman. Derrick Bruhn of Topflight Grain Cooperative, Eric Wuthrich of Farmers Grain Company of Roseville, and Joe Logsdon of Tremont Co-op Grain Co. will serve on the Executive Committee.
Several individuals were also elected to serve two-year terms as Area Directors:
- East: Eric Nieders, ADM Grain Company (1st term); Andrew Craig, Hudson Grain Co., Inc. (1st term)
- North: Ryan Horsfield, Bunge (1st term)
- West: Tom Parchert, River Valley Cooperative (1st term)
- South: Jay Day, Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. (2nd term)
Cory Winstead of GROWMARK, Inc. and Eric DeLong of The DeLong Co. Inc.. will serve as At-Large Directors, and the Association appointed three Alliance Directors: Eric Flick (Farm Credit Illinois), Reid Clary (AssuredPartners Agribusiness), and Michael Kaeb (White Commercial Corporation).
Jim Cronin of Rock River Lumber & Grain Co., Dustin Loseke of The Scoular Company, Jeff Hendricks of Top Ag Cooperative, Drew Partain of Ladd Elevator Company, and Ashley Thole of Mt. Vernon Elevator Co. will continue to serve in their roles on the Board of Directors.
GFAI also recognized outgoing Board members for completing their terms of service, including Dave Kunken (RCM Co-op), Todd McTaggart (Evergreen FS, Inc.), Brian Burke (John Stewart & Associates), and Joe Alsup (Gardiner + Company CPAs).
Throughout the convention, attendees received updates and analysis from a diverse slate of speakers. Keynote speaker Chuck Gallagher opened the event with a forward-looking discussion on artificial intelligence, ethics, and communication. Additional sessions featured Andrew Schimpf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on inland navigation challenges; Rob Huston of Innovative Grain on practical applications of AI in agriculture; and Ken Eriksen of Polaris Analytics and Consulting on the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Energy policy updates were provided by Leonard Jones and Ryan Schonhoff of Ameren Illinois, while Matthew Makens of Makens Weather LLC examined global climate patterns affecting crop production. Jacqui Fatka of CoBank offered an overview of current trends in the agricultural economy. The Association was also pleased to host USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, as he delivered federal policy updates and allowed members to participate in a Q&A session.
In addition to professional programming, GFAI continued its longstanding commitment to supporting future industry leaders. Five students were recognized as 2025–2026 GFAI Scholarship recipients:
- Aiden Hamm, University of Arizona (Peotone)
- Noah Lee, Mississippi State University (Peoria)
- Nicole Kerber, Illinois State University (Manlius)
- Luke Wessels, University of Illinois (Dunlap)
- Emma Whitaker, Iowa State University (Carthage)
Convention attendees also raised more than $14,000 for the GFAI Scholarship Program through raffle ticket sales and a silent auction — an achievement the Association credits to strong member engagement and support.
Association staff expressed appreciation to the sponsors, exhibitors, presenters, and attendees whose participation contributed to another successful event.
The Grain and Feed Association of Illinois will host its 134th Annual Convention and Trade Show February 15–16, 2027 in Peoria, Illinois.
END.
Illinois Wheat Development Program
February 2, 2026
To: Illinois grain elevators
From: Illinois Wheat Development Board (IWDB)
RE: Illinois Wheat Checkoff
The Illinois Wheat Development Act authorized the creation of a wheat checkoff program in Illinois. In March 2025, Illinois wheat producers adopted via state-wide referendum the creation of the Illinois Wheat Development Program which began on January 1, 2026. Since then, Illinois wheat producers have also elected nine board members who are now taking steps to implement the new assessment.
Your partnership is imperative to successful implementation of the IL Wheat assessment. This notice is to inform you that the Illinois Wheat Development Board set July 1, 2026, as the effective date to begin collection of the 1.5 cents per bushel assessment. More information and resources will be provided as the Board develops materials but it is important that we share with you a few key components to the program:
- The checkoff rate will be 1.5 cents per bushel starting on July 1, 2026.
- Producers may request a refund.
- Elevators may retain a 2% handling fee as long as the remittances are received within 15 days of the end of each quarter.
- help develop new markets and uses for wheat and wheat products.
- provide research to improve efficiency, production, and utilization of wheat.
- enhance more efficient economical production of wheat.
- enable the wheat industry to adapt to market demands.
Thank you for your important role in the Wheat Checkoff’s mission of increasing demand for wheat and making wheat production more profitable. More information will be coming to help you prepare. Should you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 309.557.3619.
END