THE DAIBER EFFECT: MADISON COUNTY FARMER’S LEGACY LIVES THROUGH GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A farmer’s legacy is not measured in acres or yield alone. With one of his final gifts, the late farmer Gene Daiber is planting seeds for the next generation of agriculture leaders in the St. Louis metro area.
"Gene Daiber’s extraordinary generosity marks a first for the IAA Foundation,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director. “Never before has a donor directed us to award scholarships on such an accelerated timeline. While I didn’t have the opportunity to ask Gene directly why he made this choice, I believe he saw the power of helping more students, more quickly, rather than holding funds in reserve.”
A lifelong learner and Madison County farmer, Daiber quietly included a generous financial donation to the IAA Foundation as part of his estate plan.
In his directives, he asked that the foundation distribute the entirety of the gift over the next 10 years, supporting scholarships for graduating high school seniors and current college students from Madison, St. Clair and Bond counties who are pursuing agriculture degrees in a wide variety of career fields, from trades to postdoctoral work.
“This will have a lasting impact for generations,” said Eric DeMange, Madison County Farm Bureau president. “These students are going to get started on the right track.”
Daiber, a 25-year member of the Madison County Farm Bureau board, was born in Highland and grew up on his family’s farm near Marine. After graduating from Triad High School in 1961, he farmed alongside his mother for a decade before taking over full ownership and operation of the farm until his retirement in 2014. He died at age 80 on Aug. 7, 2023.
Lillian Daiber, whom Gene married in 1984, described him as a quiet leader known for his meticulous recordkeeping and deep commitment to lifelong learning. He also served as a mentor for young farmers as well as other kids in the neighborhood. She said she hopes the scholarship inspires students to value hard work and recognize its potential to help others.
Moore said Gene Daiber’s gift reflects a deeper commitment than just financial support. His carefully crafted plans outlined a clear vision while allowing the flexibility needed to award scholarships in a way that honors both his intentions and timing.
Daiber’s name will soon be added to the Farming Legacy wall in the IAA building, joining others who have made gifts of $1 million or more. Daiber's FFA jacket was also accepted into the foundation’s permanent archives, where his story will continue to inspire future generations.
“Each year, over the next decade, we will be able to celebrate the generosity of Mr. Daiber,” Moore said about the donation. “His gift is already reshaping how we think about scholarships, and how quickly we can make a difference. That’s the Daiber effect.”
A video honoring Gene Daiber’s legacy is available here. B-roll footage is available upon request.
About The IAA Foundation
The charitable arm of Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation’s mission is to support the future of agriculture through student scholarships, research grants, farm gift management and providing agriculture education teacher support.
In 2024, the IAA Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants, gifts and scholarships; fully funded the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program, raising a total of $850,000 to support the 2024-25 IAITC Program of Work; provided $647,000 in grants to 81 local Ag Literacy Coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties; and invested $216,000 in scholarships and grants to students pursuing degrees related to agriculture and to educators supporting the next generation in classrooms and research.
About Illinois Farm Bureau:
Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.
Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau | Facebook, Instagram @ilfarmbureau, X @ILFarmBureau, or on TikTok @illinoisfarmbureau.
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