• Impactful Advocacy. IFB President Brian Duncan hosted U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, who sits on the House Ag Committee, on his farm. He also hosted British Consul General Richard Hyde. IFB coordinated an action request that generated support for the Family Farm Preservation Act. IFB is backing the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act. Rep. Marcus Evans and Rep. Norine Hammond spoke to the power of county Farm Bureas engaging elected officials. 

• Trusted Information. IFB earned six awards from the American Farm Bureau Federation for excellence in communications, including best newspaper (FarmWeek). Illinois farmers had some of the best crop yields in the nation last year. The EPA announced “major actions” to address PFAS. For the second year in a row, there’s a projected record weighted average wheat yield. Climatologist Trent Ford gave a weather update as we head into summer. Our latest issue of LINK focuses on connecting and engaging with your municipalities. 

• Meaningful Development. The SIU collegiate Farm Bureau chapter won two top honors. IFB hosted the Premier 20 Leadership Conference, a leadership and professional development opportunity for exemplary youth in agriculture from 4-H and FFA. About 100 Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom coordinators gathered in Bloomington May 20 to get in the driver’s seat of the 2026-transportation-themed program. 

Upcoming events 

• Summer Ag Tour - June 7, west-central Illinois 

• 2025 IAITC Golf Outing - June 12, Pontiac 

• AgTech Innovation Showcase – July 16, Champaign 

• Presidents Conference - July 21-22, Normal 

• Nutrient Stewardship Field Days