Illinois Farm Bureau

Although Illinois Farm Bureau has worked to provide mental health and awareness resources to its members for several years, the statewide group is focused on expanding that commitment.

Ten students were recently named Illinois FFA Top 10 Chapter Presidents in recognition of excelling in their role as an FFA president.

Illinois FFA chapters and collegiate Farm Bureaus proudly raised a total of 206,084.37 pounds of food, volunteered 7,482.75 hours and donated $54,897.42 during the 2024-2025 Harvest for All campaign.

Top-performing and innovative FFA section presidents and 4-H members cultivated necessary leadership and professional skills during the Youth Education in Agriculture Committee’s recently held Premier 20 Leadership Conference.

Illinois Farm Bureau named Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau as the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Mental fitness is a personal understanding that individuals have the ability to build a happier and more productive life.

Brooke Taylor stumbled into becoming an inspirational speaker. It was not something she had set as a career goal.

Illinois Farm Bureau secured statewide black vulture depredation permits through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Women have the capability to be the voice of reason when it comes to safety in the agricultural industry.

As more than 1,000 FFA members and their teachers visited the Statehouse, a longtime advocate for those wearing the blue jackets reminisced about how the organization impacted his life.

March went in — and out — like a lion. Several state contests take place in spring, such as the recent dairy cattle and food science career development events, with many more on the calendar.

Twenty-five Illinois Farm Bureau members recently graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills and to become a voice for Illinois agriculture.

Changes are happening on the labels of herbicide products that may impact the way farmers spray their crops.

There have been 985 confirmed cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle across 17 states since first confirmed in March 2024.

In an effort to elevate rural communities, Illinois Farm Bureau partnered with county Farm Bureaus to award 23 Rural Development Grants totaling $105,000 to support local projects across the state.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency upheld the current April 28 implementation date expanding E15 access to Midwest states year-round while awaiting a permanent solution from Congress.

President Donald Trump temporarily suspended across-the-board 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada until April 2.

Scott Halpin’s term as Illinois Farm Service Agency executive director concluded with the change of federal administrations.

Adding sustainable aviation fuel to the list of products made from corn and soybeans may help increase profits for U.S. farmers.

New equipment arrived recently at the Western Illinois University farm.

The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council met in December and seated three new board members.

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.