​On March 28th, Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders had their annual Pork Loin Sale to raise money for their scholarship.  They were able to raise a gross profit of $2,410.00.  Thank you to everyone who supported the sale!
 
Pictured left to right are Gayla Walker and Young Leader Chairman Michael Browning.

​Michael Browning, Franklin County member, graduated from Illinois Farm Bureau’s Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program, a comprehensive leadership development course, on March 20.  
Browning joined 18 other graduates in 2024. Now in its 45th year, ALOT has graduated more than 1,200 leaders since 1979. The eight-session course featured experts in communication skills, political process, ag economics and global issues. Through a broad range of process and content skills, graduates enrich leadership abilities and enhance agriculture’s voice in Illinois. Past graduates have included past and current Illinois state legislators and agricultural influencers across Illinois. Various leaders of the Illinois Farm Bureau have graduated from the ALOT program, including past President Rich Guebert and current Vice President Evan Hultine. 
Browning (West Frankfort, Ill.) farms in partnership with his two cousins, Kendall and Brad. They grow corn, beans and wheat and have a small cow-calf herd. Browning was active in 4-H for 12 years, serving as president, and active in FFA in high school. He also earned a degree in ag production from Rend Lake college. He currently serves as the chairman of the Franklin County Young Leaders Committee. In his spare time, he likes to going to tractor pulls and riding dirt bikes. 
“Alot has helped me personally to develop better leadership skills and how to be a better team player,” Browning said. 
The 2024 ALOT graduating class heard from nearly 30 speakers, with topics ranging from ag economics to state and local government policy to communication and professionalism and more. Graduates from 17 Illinois counties attended sessions across the state in Edwardsville, Mt. Vernon, Springfield, Salem, Bloomington, Ina and two virtual sessions on Zoom. Sessions are designed to give participants a head-start on tackling tomorrow’s leadership responsibilities.  
Applications for the 2025 ALOT program can be sent to [email protected] and are due in November.  

​On Saturday, March 9, the Franklin County Young Leaders Committee hosted a Cattle Fitting and Showmanship Clinic.  The Showmanship portion of the clinic was led by Jeff Rister and the Fitting portion was led by Dusty Hamilton.  We would like to thank everyone for coming to learn more about how to be better showmen.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (618) 435-3616!