Illinois Farm Bureau

Membership was on the minds of many as delegates gathered in Chicago for the annual meeting and to vote on and set the organization's policy priorities for the coming year.

A public hearing for a proposed wheat checkoff was held at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The proposal calls for a 1.5-cent checkoff per bushel of wheat sold in Illinois.

Matthew Montgomery, of Chatham, was named recipient of the 2024 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Award.

Country singer and Illinois native Drew Baldridge will be this year’s musical talent during the Illinois Farm Bureau’s 110th annual meeting in Chicago.

Four new Illinois agriculture education teachers were recently recognized by the IAA Foundation as recipients of an Illinois Agricultural Education Teacher Grant.

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership recently accepted four new member organizations into the partnership.

The Illinois Wheat Association Checkoff Committee is circulating petitions for a wheat checkoff program in the state. The proposal calls for a 1.5 cent checkoff per bushel of wheat sold.

Berkeley Boehne harvested an excellent wheat crop in July and his corn and soybean crops also look good at the start of August.

A generous donation of whole and lactose-free milk to local food banks will impact the lives of thousands of Illinois families.

Illinois Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its Illinois Veterinary Education and Training loan program.

In a country known for its robust agricultural industry, it is disheartening to know just how many people struggle with hunger.

Over the past two decades, a Livingston County farmer traveled to the capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for agriculture.

Illinois landowners could be eligible for $5,000 in free soil analyses and consultation with a University of Illinois research team in exchange for participating in a historic project seeking to learn how soils have changed over 120 years.

Early spells of warm weather mean that truckers who use rural roads in Illinois had an added challenge.

The Illinois Soybean Association, together with Illinois’ other commodity and agriculture organizations, is once again calling for nominations to the Illinois 20 Under 40 Awards.

The month of January saw Illinois FFA’s major state officers get right back into the swing of things. January kicked off with the officers spending a week at the Illinois FFA Center in Springfield.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association is leading a call to members of the Illinois congressional delegation for a legislative remedy to state-by-state livestock production requirements.

State legislators from both sides of the aisle joined together to announce an effort to protect farm families and their land by updating the estate tax code.

The second annual Illinois Ag Retail Survey is underway to collect data on nutrient management practices.

The Illinois FFA major state officers and hundreds of Illinois Farm Bureau members from across the state met at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago on Dec. 1 to celebrate the state’s agricultural accomplishments over the past year.

For Austin Granby, a decision to end a fun-filled vacation early, in favor of hitting the books, paid off.

Illinois Farm Bureau sets a big table when it comes to its Discussion Meet program.

Illinois Farm Families’ “We Are the 96%” campaign will resume paid advertising opportunities in January and February, concluding with a Super Bowl commercial for Illinois audiences on Feb. 11.

2023 was a year of wins and continued challenges that will extend into the new year for the corn industry.

As a livestock farmer and a grain farmer, Brian Duncan always has his eye on the bottom line. Now that he is the president of Illinois Farm Bureau, he is determined to keep an eye on that bottom line for all of IFB’s members.

Brian Duncan took a minute before he stepped to the podium. His title was just a few hours old when he was introduced to media as “the president of Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan.”

Evan Hultine can relate to what the then-vice president of Illinois Farm Bureau was going through. “I’m glad you said you had to pinch yourself six years ago. I think that’s pretty much how I’m feeling right now,” he said.

With a look back at successes and a look forward at the changing face of the Illinois Farm Bureau membership and a list of thank-yous “a country mile long,” Richard Guebert Jr. gave his last President’s Address.

For the immediate past president of Illinois Farm Bureau, there is no fear that he won’t have enough to do, after retiring from the leadership of the state’s largest farmer membership organization.

The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program has named Amanda Stanko, a STEM and preschool teacher with Corpus Christi Catholic School in Bloomington, as the 2024 IAITC Teacher of the Year.

Four beginning Illinois agriculture education teachers were recently recognized by the IAA Foundation with Illinois Agricultural Education Teacher Grants for their efforts during their first year in the field.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. announced four changes to his team of senior leaders, including the hiring of Mark Gebhards as the organization’s first-ever chief strategy officer.

Sixty young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” during the 2023 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association teamed up with agricultural organizations throughout the state on Aug. 3 to discuss emerging markets and legislation impacting the industry.

The Illinois Soybean Association elected new leadership during its annual meeting in Champaign. Ron Kindred, of District 9, was elected chairman after having served as ISA vice chairman for the previous two years.

Illinois Farm Bureau continues to support the education of the next generation of veterinarians focusing on caring for food animals through the Illinois Veterinary and Training loan program.

After undergoing a rigorous judging process, 20 farmers were identified as the second class of Illinois 20 Under 40 award winners.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Sackett family in Sackett v. EPA that narrows the extent of federal jurisdiction over bodies of water under the Clean Water Act.

After decades of advocacy, education, diligence and tenacity, the Illinois Corn Growers Association celebrated the groundbreaking of brand-new, 1,200-foot Lock 25 along the Mississippi River near Winfield, Missouri.

All farmers have the opportunity to participate in conversations about food production.

Food security is one aspect of national security. “A nation that cannot feed itself is not free,” said Amanda Radke, a fifth-generation rancher and author of children’s books who spoke during the Women in Agriculture conference presented by Illinois Farm Bureau.

Cathy Lafrenz started a pick-your-own flower business on her small farm in 2002. Miss Effie’s Country Flowers is located on Lafrenz’s two-acre farm near Donahue, Iowa.

Farmers across the state are gearing up for another productive spring planting season. Once the frost melts and the soil temperatures rise, it will be time to hit the fields, but for many farmers high prices for fertilizer, fuel and other critical tools remain a challenge.

The Illinois Soybean Association and its partners are honored to continue the Illinois 20 Under 40 recognition program in 2023. The program celebrates 20 young farmers under 40 for their work in the agricultural community and beyond.

The 2023 Illinois Pork Producers Association delegate body recently elected four at-large directors and three new district directors.

As snow blankets our frozen fields, winter is a time of reflection for farmers. What worked well, what could we do better and what challenges will the upcoming spring bring?

Illinois Farm Bureau members are invited to learn the latest in trucking laws and regulations during a series of seminars around the state in February and March.

If it’s January, you’re most likely to find Matt Rush on the road and on his way to a meeting.

The 104th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation was held in San Juan and brought together 338 voting delegates to shape AFBF policy.

Sauk Valley area Ag in the Classroom program volunteers were recognized for their accomplishments during the Illinois Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Chicago.