Southern Illinois Young Leaders Represented at IFB Young Leader Conference

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.