The Illinois Corn Marketing Board utilizes corn checkoff dollars to support the work of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. In this Managing for Profit, Daniel Mahoney, president of Southern Illinois University, which houses the Center, discusses the group’s latest efforts.

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Brownfield's Meghan Grebner interviews Seth Crawford, senior vice president and general manager for PTx.

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Blake Brancel was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the field and course. What she loves most about high school sports is the sense of community she creates with her teammates and coaches. Being part of track and field and cross country gives her a sense of belonging. The support of everyone on her team pushes her to become better and better as the years go on. She is grateful to be involved in sports and to come from a loving, supportive home. Blake is involved in FFA as the president, Portage Student Section as the co-president, Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Student Athlete Leadership Team, and Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association as the membership secretary. Blake also participates in various volunteer and community activities through her FFA chapter, school, church, local park and rec, and state and national breed organizations. Agriculture means so much more to Blake than just farming. The opportunities, experiences, and values of agriculture she has learned are irreplaceable. Growing up on a beef farm and showing cattle has given her so much. She is forever grateful for the people she has met, the places she has been, the values she has learned, and the pride of being an agriculturist. After high school, Blake hopes to continue her education by majoring in biology to become a dentist. Although undecided about which college she would like to attend, she would like to go to Marquette for dental school.

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Everett Larsen was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the field and court. What he loves most about high school sports is competing while playing alongside his friends. Everett is involved in soccer and basketball and is an FFA officer. He has done many state and national activities through FFA such as State and National Convention. While he is not playing sports, he will volunteer for concessions or run scoreboards. In his community, he participates in 4-H, youth group, and volunteers at his local food pantry. To Everett, agriculture means learning a good work ethic and always showing up to get the job done. It is about building relationships and constantly learning new skills. These skills are skills he can't always learn in school and the memories he makes with family and friends are some of the best stories he will have when he is older. Although unsure of his career path, Everett plans to pursue a job related to sports or agriculture. 

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Jerrad Wallman was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the court and course. The thing he loves most about high school sports is how it brings people together. The social connections he makes throughout the winter are a fun part of basketball. Whether he is having a winning season or a challenging season, people come together to cheer him and his team on and support them. He has made many good friends that he guards on the court, but once the game is over, they are laughing and talking about things they have in common. Jerrad competes in basketball and golf. In his free time, he participates in 4-H, youth group, and various activities at his church such as running the sound booth, VBS crew leader, and service projects. As part of the National Honor Society, Jerrad has helped with the Salvation Army Food Distribution events. As part of band and choir, he has participated in the Salvation Army Christmas Basket fundraiser to sing and play while raising donations to help support the community. At James Valley, he does an annual clean-a-thon where he helps walk to pick up trash in over 50 miles of ditches. Agriculture is Jerrad’s connection to his family and community. He has been working alongside his father and brother on their farm for as long as he can remember. With his family being involved in agriculture, he has been able to spend time with multiple generations of his family. Every day is different on the farm, and he enjoys the variety of work and challenges it brings. Jerrad plans to attend college and ultimately return to his farm. It's a great place to grow up and he wants to be part of the community that has supported him throughout his life.

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Taylor Barton was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court and field. What she loves most about high school sports is participating as a part of a team where she can work alongside other people who have the same goals as her. She also enjoys teaching and working with the young athletes in her community through camps and youth leagues. Taylor is a member of the varsity softball and volleyball teams as well as captain for both teams. She is an active member of her FFA chapter where she competes on the livestock judging team. She is also a member of the East Clinton National Honor Society where she holds the officer position of historian. Outside of school, Taylor is a member of the Final Drive 4-H club and has participated in the Deans Charity Steer Show at the Ohio State Fair. Her celebrity team and she partnered with Ohio State University and Ronald McDonald House Charities to raise over $17,000. To Taylor, agriculture is the heart of civilization. Without it, humans could not survive. The agricultural community has made her who she is today. It has taught her many lessons in hard work, determination, teamwork, leadership, reliability, responsibility, respect, kindness, and love. It has also taught her how to take care of her animals, other humans, the environment, and the land she has been given. Taylor plans on applying to the Southern State Community College nursing program this winter. After receiving her RN license, she hopes to enroll in a BSN program. She also wishes to continue improving her show cattle breeding herd as well as her involvement in the family farming operation and the agricultural community. 

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Charlie Holmes was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. The thing she loves most about playing a high school sport is her teammates. She has spent the last four years working hard and playing her best alongside 16 players who genuinely feel like a second family to her. Charlie is involved in volleyball and helps run the camps for the younger girls in the summer. In her free time, she works at the nursing home in her community as a CNA. She has also volunteered at the legion, serving veterans for different occasions and events. She does all of this while trying her best to complete her associate's degree before graduating high school. To Charlie, agriculture means a few different things. It does take a lot of time, effort, money, and hard work, but above all joy and passion must be present. It takes a village to make a functioning farm life. People may have different strong suits and contributions but being passionate while doing it is what agriculture is about. After high school, Charlie plans to attend nursing school and would like to work at Mayo Clinic while living on land of her own. In the future, she eventually wants to move back home to be near her family and contribute her part to the farm and support system. 

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Brennen Thooft was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for his commitment and passion in and out of band. He feels it is important to be active in high school activities and loves being a part of a group that all have similar goals and interests and work together as a team. Additionally, activities encourage him to step out of his comfort zone and try something new. As a part of the pep band, he is encouraged to attend almost every sport in high school to serve as a part of the student section. Brennen is involved in marching band as a trumpet section leader, concert band, choir, jazz band, pep band, honors band, BEATS as a captain, knowledge bowl, and Business Professionals of America (BPA), where he has competed at regional, state, and national level in spreadsheets application. Outside of school, Brennen plays the piano and finds enjoyment in playing not only during his free time but also for numerous events such as recitals, duet festivals, and Gold Cup competitions. He is also very active with his church community by participating in Holy Helpers, helping with summer faith programs, volunteering at fundraising events, and working at his church's food booth at the local county fair. Agriculture has made a significant impact on Brennen’s life. His family lives on the same farm that his dad grew up on. Agriculture and sports feature multiple similarities including that they both encourage hard work, demand long hours, and require dedication. Living in an agricultural environment has shaped him as an individual. Brennen plans on majoring in either marketing or finance. He would also like to minor in music because of his passion for it. 

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the mixed closes in cattle and hogs, the gains in corn and wheat, and the losses in soybeans.

Closing numbers:

» December corn $4.24 and ¾ up $.06 and 3/4

» November soybeans $10.57 down $.08 and 3/4

» October soybean meal $344.30 up $.60

» October soybean oil 43.51 up 133 points

» December Chicago wheat $5.84 up $.04

» October live cattle $183.77 up $.02

» October lean hogs $82.25 up $.20

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Adysen Poppen was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the field and court. What she loves most about high school sports is spending time together, lifting weights, working out, practicing, and playing games with her teammates. The friendships she has formed on the court continue off the court as well. Sports have also taught her important lessons about discipline, perseverance, and pushing her limits. Adysen is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, student council, Spanish club, FFA, and the National Honor Society. In her free time, she volunteers at local sporting events taking care of the softball and soccer scoreboard, helping with football chains, and working the concession stand. She also volunteers at the summer vacation bible school program. Agriculture is very important to Adysen. Both of her grandfathers are farmers, so she has grown up learning about the significance of agriculture. This has helped her appreciate where her food comes from. Although Adysen’s future plans are still uncertain, she has developed an interest in pursuing a degree in physical therapy after tearing her ACL once sophomore year and then again senior year. 

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