Former GROWMARK President John Reifsteck was named recipient of the 2025 Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his lifetime of leadership and service to the agriculture industry.

Mark Gebhards, retired Illinois Farm Bureau executive director of governmental affairs and commodities division and chief strategy officer and adviser to the IFB president, was honored with the IFB 2025 Eagle Award for Excellence.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee elected Garrett Williams of Richland County as its 2026 chair and Michael Bernhard of Kendall-Grundy as vice chair.

American Agri-Women awarded its 2025 Rising Star Award to Vikkie Becker of Alexander in west-central Illinois during the organization’s national convention.

Jim Henry diagnoses that a new program touted to give $50 billion in federal funds to rural hospitals won’t necessarily keep the vital medical centers from closing.

The Indiana FFA Foundation will receive a $750,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps.

A documentary called “The Beck Family: A Home-Grown Legacy” has officially premiered and is available to watch for free online.

For over three decades, David Loos was on the frontlines advocating for the develop and expansion of the ethanol industry in Illinois.

Per-acre payment specifics for the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program were released on New Year’s Eve.