In a bold move, days before the hotly contested US midterm elections, the powerful Illinois corn lobby has thrown its weight behind those it hopes will drive a new political movement there: farmers.

Illinois is one of America’s top corn-producing states, second only to Iowa. That means Illinois farmers, who planted about 10.7 million acres of corn this year (about five times as much as Ontario), contribute mightily to the state’s economy, just like their counterparts on the Canadian side of the border. 

But despite their role in shoring up the economy, Illinois corn farmers feel ignored. Ballots will be counted next week and they say they haven’t been courted for their support. They haven’t heard any party discuss issues they consider important. Polls say Americans primarily care about inflation and the economy, along with issues such as women’s rights, immigration and crime, so that’s where politicians are putting their efforts.

Of course, a strong case can be made that anyone who cares about the economy should also care about agriculture. But the corn producers feel that’s not the case.

So they’re challenging their members to not vote Republican or Democrat, the US staples. Instead, says Illinois Corn Growers’ Association communications and marketing director Lindsay Mitchell, vote what her organization is calling Farmers First.

“Agriculture, and the policies that support a booming ag economy, don’t fall along party lines,” she says.“Farmer-first voting isn’t right or left. If you’re voting as a farmer first, you’re voting for different candidates, right and left, because those candidates encourage agriculture and the business climate that supports agriculture.”

For example, she says, exports are the biggest market for Illinois commodities, and that requires infrastructure. Locks and dams, rail lines and bridges all require funding…and none of them fall along party lines. She asks her corn-growing members: Are you willing to vote for the candidates that vote for infrastructure? She wants corn producers to get behind those who are committed to building the infrastructure that empowers exports.

A workable crop insurance program is another need, says Mitchell. As she points out, US farm programs are no longer supported by both parties; rather, support and opposition for farm programs fall on both sides of the party lines. So, candidates, where do you stand on preserving crop insurance? That’s where corn producers should put their vote, she says.

And lastly, in a state that produces oceans of ethanol, why are candidates on both the left and the right so caught up in promoting electric vehicles? Protecting the ethanol market will make or break Illinois agriculture in the future, says Mitchell. Producers need to support candidates that support ethanol, its clean energy benefits, and its boost to rural economies.

That’s farmer-first voting, and Mitchell says it’s critical for corn producers’ agricultural heritage and legacy.

“Are you hopeful to farm for the entirety of your career and pass the farm off to the next generation? Are you willing to vote for candidates that have proven their commitment to building a future for farmers in our state and our nation?” she asks.

If so, then put farming’s priorities above party priorities and choose candidates accordingly, she says.

Not a bad approach to try in Canada, too.