About Us
Illinois Farm Bureau® is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation®, a national organization of farmers and ranchers including Farm Bureaus in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and is responsible for Farm Bureau® membership and programs within Illinois.
Illinois Farm Bureau® programs and services are available only to Farm Bureau® members within Illinois.
FARM BUREAU® and FB® are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. More information regarding the American Farm Bureau Federation can be found at www.fb.org.
Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB® ) is a membership organization controlled by farmers who join IFB® through their county Farm Bureau. There are 96 county organizations in Illinois. IFB® is a not for profit corporation. IFB's legal name is the Illinois Agricultural Association which was founded in 1916 by a group of farmers who met at the University of Illinois to discuss the need for education, better information, and more effective farming practices.
Early on, IFB® was involved in passing legislation and lobbying lawmakers about agricultural issues. At the same time, county Farm Bureaus provided a professional staff in accessible locations around the state. Together, IFB® and counties were instrumental in bringing soil and crop specialists to each county. These professional farm advisers were the forerunners of today's Cooperative Extension Service. They helped supply farmers with the latest agricultural research information and made on-the-farm analyses and recommendations about production challenges. Highlights from our History
Today, IFB's mission is to improve the economic well-being of agriculture and enrich the quality of farm family life. The organization's leadership works to achieve these goals through a strategic plan that calls for seven key results areas:
• Operating the farm successfully
• Service to members
• Government and politics
• Education and information
• Involvement
• Professional development
• Operating IFB® professionally
Illinois Farm Bureau®:
• Tells the farmer's story to the public.
• Updates members on new technology and information that impacts agriculture.
• Represents farmers in local, state, and national legislative & political activities.
• Provides marketing and education services to help IFB members improve their net farm income.
IFB® is governed by a twenty-member board of directors who are elected to two-year terms; president and vice-president are elected every two years. IFB's state office is located at 1701 North Towanda Avenue, Bloomington, Illinois 61701.
Phone: (309) 557-2111
Fax: (309) 557-2641