Craig Schilling Named to Agricultural Leadership Foundation Board

Tamara (Tami) Craig Schilling, Vice-President of Monsanto Technology Communications, has been named a board member of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

She is a fifth generation agriculturalist who started her career at the age of three showing livestock. At Monsanto, she leads a team that communicates the company’s application of crop science and technology to address societal needs with customers, scientists, industry leaders, employees and others.

Throughout her career she has focused on agriculture’s role in conservation, biotechnology and sustainability efforts, and participated on several product launch teams and seed growth efforts. Starting with Monsanto in 1990, Tami was a sales representative in Michigan, served as a conservation tillage specialist across Illinois and Missouri, served as Customer Operations Manager, Sales Manager, and managed Corporate, State and Local Communications.  Most recently she led Monsanto’s Strategic Communications and Outreach. This focused on the value and importance of dialogue with the many stakeholders created through global “Essential Conversations” around agricultural innovation and technology.

A graduate of the University of Illinois in agricultural communications, Tami has spoken broadly about the importance of agricultural advocacy, the application of technology innovation, leadership and career development. She has been recognized as the Business and Professional Women’s Young Careerist, American Farm Bureau’s Discussion Meet finalist, a YWCA Leader and an Illinois 4-H Distinguished Alumni. She currently serves on the U of I College of Agriculture, Consumer Economics and Sciences Advisory Council, St. Louis World Affairs Council, Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation Board, National Association of Farmer Broadcasting Foundation Board, and is a soccer coach, church and school volunteer.

She is most proud of the three children whom she and her husband Rodney raise on their corn, soybean and wheat farm in southern Illinois.

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation was founded in 1981 and is based in Macomb, Ill. It is a non-profit educational corporation under Illinois law. A board of directors, comprised of recognized leaders in agriculture and business, oversees the program.  Candidates for the leadership program are selected during a competitive application process.  Men and women 25 to 49 years of age working full- in production agriculture or agri-related occupations are encouraged to apply.