​On Monday, February 24th Franklin County Farm Bureau hosted a Rules for the Road seminar at the Franklin County Farm Bureau building.  Attendees were able to hear from Rodney Knittel from Illinois Farm Bureau and learn about current and upcoming trucking regulations.  Members who were unable to attend the seminar but would like to have a Rules for the Road book, can pick them up at the Franklin County Farm Bureau office.

​The Franklin County Young Leaders Committee are hosting their annual fundraiser to raise money for a scholarship to Franklin County residents.  Instead of pork loins, they will be selling a 4 pound pans of pulled pork for $40 a pan cooked by Uncle Joe’s.  Orders are due April 4th and pick up will be April 17th.  Please call (618) 435-3616 to order!

​The Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee is raffling a CVA Scout chambered in 350 Legend (blk).  A $10 donation will get one free ticket and tickets will be sold from now until our member appreciation dinner during the Franklin County Fair or until all tickets are sold.  The winner does not need to be present to win.  Donations to be used for the Franklin County Ag in the Classroom program.  Winner must be 21 years old, have a valid FOID card and be able to pass a State and Federal background check.  All State and Federal laws will be applied, transfer and take place at Hood’s Guns & More in Valier.

PEORIA – 418 young leaders in agriculture from across the state met in Peoria for the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Conference, held Feb. 7-8.
Among them, Josh Reinhardt represents District 16, Samuel Deisher represents District 17 and Katelin Stratmeyer represents District 18 on the 2024 State Young Leader Committee.
Members from Franklin, Jackson and Perry counties as well as the SIU Collegiate Farm Bureau attended the 2025 conference, which featured industry experts from across the ag landscape, educating the attendees on a wide range of topics, including succession planning, USDA programs, communication with generations, the resolution committee process, grazing land practices, ground leasing negotiations and much more.
The keynote address was given by Elaine Froese. Elaine Froese, CSP is a certified professional speaker, certified coach, and author. She’s a go-to expert for farm families who want better communication and conflict resolution to secure a successful farm transition.  In front of a packed room of 418 registered attendees, Froese spoke about succession planning and how to communicate with families during that process.
The state Young Leader Committee is comprised of 18 district representatives between ages 18 and 35 who are passionate about promoting agriculture and Illinois Farm Bureau. Committee members engage with others from around the state at conferences and workshops and through their district and county Farm Bureau.
IFB President Brian Duncan and Vice President Evan Hultine, who were both active in the Young Leaders program early in their careers, were in attendance, along with several members of the IFB board of directors.

Photo 1: Pictured left to right are Franklin County Young Leaders Ike Hutchcraft, Derek Sample and Michael Browning.

Franklin County Farm Bureau is offering 4-H grants to Franklin County 4-H'ers!  Contact our office for the application.  Applications are due May 1, 2025.

​Each year, the Franklin County Young Leaders Committee have an end of year trip to celebrate another successful year.  They usually try to center the event around agriculture.  This year’s trip was trip to Columbia, IL to tour Old Monroe Distilling Company.  The group was able to tour the facility and learn about the history of the distillery and how it’s owner, Adam Stumpf, came up with the idea.  The Stumpfs are Monroe county farmers and use their own corn in their products.  Adam is also a Monroe County Farm Bureau board member.  It was a great tour!
 
Pictured are left to right: Parker Hutchcraft, Manager, Ike Hutchcraft, Vice Chairman and Michael Browning, Chairman.

​Franklin County Farm Bureau’s 105th County Annual Meeting was called to order by President Leon McClerren on Monday, December 2, 2024. This year the meeting was held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. We had a crowd of 94 in attendance.
The Benton and West Frankfort FFAs were represented and led the Pledge of Allegiance as well as reciting the FFA Creed. Larry Miller gave the Invocation.
Trudee was recognized for signing the most new Farm Bureau members in the 2024 membership year.  Leon McClerren was recognized for his retirement from the board after 20 years.  Kelly Robertson was also recognized for his retirement from the board after 11 years.
Larry Miller presented a slate to serve on the Board for a two-year term. They were Scott Kistner – District I, Joe Heard – District II, Jerry Miller – District III, Chuck Mitroka – District IV and Michael Browning - At-Large.
We were pleased to have Congresswoman Terri Bryant and State Representative Dave Severin at the meeting as well.
Speaker for the evening was Lieutenant Ron Howard who spoke about his experience as a Resource Officer in Franklin County Schools.
Gift bags were given to those in attendance that included items donated by the Franklin County Farm Bureau. Franklin County Farm Bureau also had door prizes that were drawn throughout the night along with the Hog Raffle AITC fundraiser.
Thank you to Fallon Summers, Ike Hutchcraft, Leon McClerren, Rhea Hutchcraft and Joey Hutchcraft for all their help in getting everything set up and cleaned up. Thank you also to Debra K’s Catering for catering a wonderful meal.

​BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Adam Loker, of Wayne City, took first place in Illinois Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet, held on Friday, Nov. 1.
Loker, a Junior at Southern Illinois University, is a member of the Wayne County Farm Bureau and Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. He will go on to represent Illinois in the national Collegiate Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Conference March 7-10 in Denver, Colorado.
In addition to a $200 cash prize, Loker will receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Conference and the IAA Annual Meeting in December, and a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc.
The IFB Collegiate Discussion Meet judges contestants’ ability to manage small group discussions. It is an opportunity for students to exhibit open-mindedness and knowledge while retaining a flexible position. Participants exchange facts and insights on a pre-determined topic while practicing teamwork and brainstorming logical solutions for difficult problems in the agriculture industry.
The event consists of three parts: opening statements, open discussion and closing statements. Participants are scored by judges based on their problem solving and implementation, analysis of the topic, cooperative attitude and delivery.
In total, 20 students competed in the meet at IFB’s home office in Bloomington. Final four participants included:
·       Second place: Derek Sample, Southern Illinois University, Franklin County
·       Third place: Gracie Murphy, Southern Illinois University, McDonough County
·       Fourth place: Benjamin Bremmer, University of Illinois, Stephenson County
About Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 365,535 and a farmer membership of 74,937. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau | Facebook. Follow IFB on Instagram @ilfarmbureau or on X @ILFarmBureau.
 
For  picture: Final Four Round competitors pictured from left to right: Benjamin Bremmer, University of Illinois, Gracie Murphy, Southern Illinois University, Adam Loker, Southern Illinois University, Derek Sample, Southern Illinois University.

​Illinois Farm Bureau takes Managers to the capital every year to get a better understanding of IFB’s lobbying efforts in Washington. They visited news organizations, industry, and Congressional offices while in the capital.
The trip was led by Ryan Whitehouse, Director of National Legislation and Allie Speer, Associate Director of National Legislation. Twenty county Farm Bureau managers from diverse counties around the state attended the trip. Managers visited with staff from American Farm Bureau Federation to learn about the process of setting policy for AFBF from state organizations. They heard a panel discussion of agriculture policy journalists from Politico and how they create and deliver stories about ag policy.
They were fortunate to have meetings with staff from both Illinois Senators offices, including meeting with the Chief of Staff for Senator Duckworth. They took a tour of the Capital Building and visited with staff from Representative Darin LaHood’s office. LaHood (IL-16) is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles all matters relating to revenue for the country.
The trip concluded with a visit to ADM Headquarters to discuss their global and domestic policies. 
Major topics of discussion during the trip were trade relations, the need and desire for the passage of a new Farm Bill, and potential impacts of changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is slated to be discussed next year. They also discussed the best ways to communicate with our national legislators, and what is the most effective and important way that we as CFB managers can tell our members’ stories to Congress.
Overall, this conference showed managers an in-depth look at the advocacy work that Illinois Farm Bureau does on behalf of our members. These meetings and connections attended are a testament to the work that Ryan and his team do on behalf of our members. They got a small snapshot of the wide range of issues that IFB lobbies for on Capitol Hill.
Counties that attended were Wayne/White, Kane, Bond/Fayette, Randolph, Mason/Menard, Knox, Franklin, Coles, Madison, St. Clair, Hamilton/Jefferson, Edwards, Clark, Jasper, Cumberland, Greene, Montgomery and McLean.
Illinois Farm Bureau also offers this trip to leaders in the county.  Contact your Manager for more information!