IL Corn honors industry boosters

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Several individuals and a family were honored for their contributions in promoting and supporting corn farmers during the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s annual meeting Nov. 25.

Honorees included Whalen Farms, Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award; Laura Lant, Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award; and Mark Schneidewind, World of Corn Award.

Others recognized during ICGA’s annual meeting were Angela Tin, Ethanol Award, and Tom Doran, Excellence in Media Award.

Ethanol Award

A longtime champion of clean air and alternative fuels, Tin is being honored for her leadership at the American Lung Association of Illinois to promote corn-based ethanol as a cleaner-burning fuel alternative.

At the Lung Association, Tin helped secure government and private grant funding to implement projects that reduce petroleum fuel usage and advance alternative fuels, supporting both public health and renewable fuel goals.

In selecting Tin, the ICGA recognizes her contribution to advancing public health and air quality improvements, while championing corn-based ethanol as a domestic fuel alternative.

“We are delighted to recognize Angela Tin with the Ethanol Award,” said Mark Bunselmeyer, ICGA president.

“Her work has bridged public health, environmental protection and fuel innovation, advancing corn-based ethanol in Illinois in a way that benefits farmers, consumers and air quality alike.”

Tin’s career spans environmental and health program leadership.

She began at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, where she served as policy adviser to the Illinois EPA director.

In this role, she served on the implementation team for Illinois’ Emissions Reduction Market System — the nation’s first open market emissions trading program.

After moving to the American Lung Association of Illinois, she led initiatives to reduce indoor air pollution, including radon abatement and healthy homes, and to advance alternative fuel use to improve lung health.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in physiology from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in cell biology from the University of Illinois Springfield.

ICGA’s Ethanol Award recognizes professionals who have been active in the ethanol industry over a lifetime or have contributed in a major way to growth in the ethanol market.

Excellence In Media Award

Doran is a field editor for Illinois AgriNews.

The award is presented annually to an individual who promotes Illinois agriculture, particularly IL Corn and its farmers, through their coverage in traditional media or their engagement on social media.

“Tom Doran has spent his entire career helping Illinois farmers tell their stories with accuracy, respect and heart,” Bunselmeyer said.

“His deep understanding of agriculture and genuine connection with farmers have made him a trusted voice for our industry. We’re honored to recognize his lifelong commitment to agricultural journalism.”

With a career spanning more than 50 years, Doran has been a steadfast advocate for rural communities and the people who feed and fuel Illinois.

He began his journalism journey in the mid-1970s as a photographer and darkroom technician at the Dwight Star & Herald, later becoming editor and general manager of the Star Newspapers group in Dwight.

Since joining AgriNews in 2005, Doran has covered a wide range of topics, including crop production, conservation and legislative issues, always focusing on the farmers behind the headlines.

Doran’s work has earned multiple honors throughout his career, including several Illinois Press Association awards in photography and writing, the Illinois Soybean Association Excellence in Media Award, the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education Excellence in Media Award and the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District Media Award.

He is also an honorary lifetime member of the Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association.

Reflecting on his decades in journalism, Doran said, “Every day is a good day, but some days are even better. My favorite part of this career is visiting with farmers and hearing stories about their farms and families, whether they raise thousands of acres of corn and soybeans or a few acres of vegetables.”

“I’m proud to be part of a media community that supports one another and tells the true stories of agriculture,” he said.

Doran, a graduate of SIU Carbondale with a degree in communications, resides in Odell with his wife, Peg, who recently retired after 36 years of teaching at St. Paul Grade School.

They have three children: Maureen, a teacher at Genoa-Kingston High School; Michael, a police officer in Normal; and Madelyn, a teacher at Nauvoo Elementary School.

The Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding communication about agriculture by a member of the media.

The award honors professionals who provide accurate, compelling and consistent coverage of the agricultural industry, helping share the stories of farmers and the importance of agriculture with the broader public. Candidates may represent broadcast, print, or social media platforms.