President's Address

Nelson: IFB Is Built to Stand the Test of Time

Farmers in the past 100 years survived the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and World War II and just this year the most severe drought since 1988.

But, in order to maintain the success for another 100-plus years, farmers must unite and be creative to find solutions to a number of current challenges, Philip Nelson, Illinois Farm Bureau President, said during his annual address to members and other attendees at the IFB annual meeting in Chicago.

"We need to unite more than ever before given the seriousness of issues we're facing," Nelson said.

The debt crisis in the European Union could be a preview of what is to come in the U.S., which has a debt ceiling of $17 trillion and more than 50 million citizens on food stamps.

"We face our own fiscal cliff," Nelson said. "It is time lawmakers at the state and national level get their arms around this important issue."

Nelson also called for common sense regulatory framework and tax policy that is long-term, sensible, and built to last for the ag industry, which this year posted a net trade surplus of $34 billion.

"It's time to inject common sense (in legislation affecting agriculture) so we don't injure an industry that's the backbone of this country.

Looking ahead, Nelson said IFB and farmers must grapple with key questions that will impact the industry that include: What impact will changing demographics have on the industry?; how can farmers connect with consumers?; and how can Farm Bureau continue in the next century with a business model that's built to last?

"We've got to do the best we can to make sure this organization and family of companies is built to last the test of time," he emphasized.