‘20 Under 40′ recognition program celebrates excellence in Illinois’ youngest farmers

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois is known for two things: the high-quality products it feeds to the world and the high-quality growers who make it happen.

The Illinois Soybean Association, the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the Illinois Beef Association, Midwest Dairy, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association and Illinois Farm Bureau are working together to create a new recognition program that celebrates Illinois’ “20 Under 40,” recognizing 20 young farmers, under the age of 40, for the work they do in the agricultural community and beyond.

“Young farmers are our future, and no state’s future in agriculture is brighter than that of Illinois,” said ISA Chairman Steve Pitstick. “Leading the nation as No. 1 in soybean production, No. 2 in corn production and top 10 in agriculture as a whole, Illinois is brimming with farmers of all specialties who truly operate in a league all their own.”

Sponsored by John Deere and Busey Bank, the Illinois “20 Under 40″ program is open to farmers of all commodities and farm sizes, as long as they actively farm and live in the state of Illinois.

The ideal candidate is someone whose achievements in agriculture stand out from those of their peers, someone who goes beyond the work of their own operation and demonstrates leadership and dedication to their farming community.

To nominate someone, or to apply yourself, visit IL20UNDER40.com by March 31.