From testifying to Congress to working on his fifth-generation farm in southern Illinois, Kenneth Hartman Jr. has dedicated the last three decades to advocating for corn growers.

At the 2025 Indiana Ag Gathering held at the French Lick Springs Resort, the Indiana Farm Bureau delegate body reelected INFB Vice President Kendell Culp of Jasper County.

The Indiana State Fair earned several honors at the 2025 International Association of Fairs and Expos Convention & Trade Show in Denver.

Market data for week ending Jan. 9, 2026.

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.