A tour that had to be done virtually for the last two years will get its walking legs again this year, as the Illinois Grain Tour is set to begin on Tuesday, September 20th at many different stops throughout the state of Illinois.  The Illinois Grain Tour will host 40 international buyers from seven different Latin American Countries.  The Grain Tour is done in the hopes it will increase export sales for the Illinois grain industry.

Despite the last tours being virtual, over $20 million in projected sales were recorded from the virtual tours. Participants begin the tour by meeting with representatives from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  The tour will make stops at RTS Farm in Auburn, GSI in Assumption, Clarkson Grain in Cerro Gordo, ADM in Decatur, Marquis Energy in Hennepin, Seedburo Equipment in Des Plaines, Delong Company in Joliet, Illinois Soybean Association, and MANNS Traders in Chicago. All participants are required to pay their own airfare and a participation fee will be required to join the tour.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello will meet with media members at GSI in Assumption.