Kickoffs, Conferences, & Conventions
Leadership Training
At the beginning of each school year, officer teams and/or chapter leadership from each Collegiate Farm Bureau® chapter are invited to prepare for the upcoming school year with the help of IFB staff. During this training, students will be provided with information, tips, and resources that will assist them on the path to a successful year with their chapter.
IAA Annual Meeting
The IAA Annual Meeting takes place each December in Chicago, IL. The primary purpose of the meeting is to hold annual voting delegate sessions where grassroots policy development takes place. The event also includes an address from Illinois Farm Bureau®’s President, keynote speakers, workshops, fundraising for the IAA Foundation, awards programs, and more. This is an excellent opportunity to network with IFB leaders as well as fellow members from your home county and across the state. Collegiate Farm Bureau members are provided a "Collegiate Suite" to hang out with fellow students throughout the weekend and also get special recognition during the Young Leader Awards Ceremony.
Young Leader Conference
The Illinois Farm Bureau® Young Leader Conference is a fun-filled weekend of breakout sessions, entertaining speakers, and Harvest for All fundraising - exclusively for our members in the 18-35 year age bracket. Time and time again, Young Leaders have said this is their favorite, “can’t-miss-it” conference of the year! Sessions are specifically focused on issues surrounding young farmers and agribusiness professionals. On Friday evening, we offer a special professional development session exclusively for Collegiate Farm Bureau® members. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow CFB members at the start of the conference while gaining new skills.
Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
Illinois Farm Bureau® provides value to its members through our efforts to represent the best interest of Illinois farmers in the political and regulatory arenas. The Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference (GALC) gives IFB members an opportunity to hear timely updates on state and national priority issues and select workshops to dive deeper into topics of interest to them. Keynote speakers address the crowd, and the conference wraps up with a legislative reception where members of the Illinois General Assembly are invited to mingle with members.
American Farm Bureau® Young Farmers & Ranchers / Fusion Conferences
Each year American Farm Bureau® hosts either Fusion Conference or Young Farmers & Ranchers. These conferences are held across the nation and bring together young professionals in agriculture, providing opportunities to attend breakout sessions, network amongst others, and explore a different area of the nation and their agricultural commodities. This is also where the National Collegiate Discussion Meet takes place.