IFB Young Leaders celebrated during annual meeting

CHICAGO — Illinois young farmers and leaders were recognized for their outstanding achievements and programs during the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, held Dec. 6-9 in Chicago.

The 2025 County Young Leader Awards program highlighted the hard work and dedication of Young Leaders and county Farm Bureaus across the state, including community projects and member engagement efforts.

For awards recognizing a CFB in each membership group, sections are broken down by membership size, with Group 1 being the smallest and Group 5 being the largest.

Young Leader Achievement Award — This award recognizes Young Leaders for their achievements on their farm and in leadership positions: Daniel and Constance Herriott, Champaign County.

Excellence in Agriculture Award — This award recognizes Young Leaders who are actively contributing and growing their involvement in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry: Kate Huffman, Henry County.

Most Outstanding Young Leader Program — These awards honor CFB programs aimed at developing 18- to 35-year-old members into agriculture leaders, including networking and professional development events, educational activities and partnerships with Collegiate Farm Bureaus. One CFB in each membership group is selected as the winner.

• Membership Group 1: Lawrence County.

• Membership Group 2: Richland County.

• Membership Group 3: Christian County.

• Membership Group 4: Clinton County.

• Membership Group 5: Kane County.

• Multi-County: District 2 Young Leader Committees.

Top County Young Leader Chair Awards — These awards recognize county chairs that excel in Farm Bureau involvement and leadership, as well as motivating fellow county committee members to become involved in county, district and state activities. Winners in each membership group receive onstage recognition and a plaque.

• Membership Group 1: Ragan Anthis, Edwards County.

• Membership Group 1: Addie Hemrich, Richland County.

• Membership Group 3: Mitch Stawalt, Coles County.

• Membership Group 4: Joseph Ratliff, Cass-Morgan.

• Membership Group 5: Joseph White, Kane County.

Friend of Young Leaders Winners — This award gives county Young Leader committees the opportunity to nominate someone who has had a positive impact on their programs. Winners receive onstage recognition, a plaque and a cash prize.

• Business/Organization: Edwards County Sportsman’s Club, Edwards County.

• Drew DeSutter, Knox County.

• Dusty Daugherty, Lawrence County.

• Greg and Jamie Kent, Stephenson County.

Young Leader FB ACT Winner — FB ACT asks members to respond to legislative action requests on timely issues. Young Leaders who responded to all action requests this past year were entered into a drawing. The first name pulled gets a choice between attending a Leaders to Washington trip or Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference. The second through fifth names called get the opportunity to attend Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference.

• Nathan Gibbs, Woodford County.

• Ryan Reeverts, Ogle County.

• Bradley Browning, Franklin County.

• Steve Willard, Kendall-Grundy.

• Sam Detiler, Livingston County.