How did Farm Bureau Serve our members in February:

1. Illinois Farm Bureau hosted the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, giving members the opportunity to learn about IFB priorities and directly engage with legislators on issues facing agriculture.
2. More than 425 IFB Young Leaders, including about 85 Collegiate Farm Bureau members, attended the 2025 Young Leaders Conference to engage in networking and meaningful development.
3. FB hosted two series of seminars that provide continuing trusted information for members. Rules for the Road keeps members informed on transportation regulations that could affect their businesses, and anhydrous ammonia certified grower training is required for growers or grower operators who transport or apply anhydrous ammonia. 
4. The Family Farm Preservation Act has been filed in both chambers as SB 1688 and HB 2677. The FFPA reforms the Illinois estate tax to protect the long-term stability of family farms.

Carroll County Farm Bureau Members invited to Spring Legislative Update: We are excited to announce it’s scheduled for Monday, March 31 from 9:00a.m.-10:00a.m. at the Carroll County Farm Bureau office. This is a member exclusive event. Please reserve your spot by Thursday, March 27^th at 1p.m. To reserve your spot please call our office at 815-244-3001.

Spring Rawleigh Product Order: Kick off spring by ordering Rawleigh Products. The Stephenson County Farm Bureau is now accepting orders for Rawleigh products. Orders will be accepted until Monday, April 21 at noon, with an estimated delivery of May 7^th just in time for Mother’s Day. To make this program even sweater all proceeds from his order will be donated to the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Foundation to fund Agriculture in the Classroom and scholarships. Order forms are available on our website www.stephensoncfb.org or by calling 815-232-3186.

Trip Spotlight Cubs Verse Brewers Bus Trip: Stephenson County Farm Bureau has a limited number of spots left for our Sunday, May 4^th bus trip to the Brewers stadium to watch the Cubs and Brewers face off. To learn more about this trip visit www.stephensoncfb.org under the “upcoming trips” tab. Or call 815-232-3186.

Stephenson County Farm Bureau Scholarships Due Friday, April 4: Stephenson County Farm Bureau offers scholarship for high school seniors graduating this spring who plan to study agriculture next fall. Additionally, the foundation offers scholarships for current students studying but agriculture and non agriculture related fields. To apply visit our website www.stephensoncfb.org under the “news” tab and use the scholarship link. This application can be completed online. If you have questions please call our office at 815-232-3186 or email manager Victoria Hansen at [email protected].

Illinois Farm Bureau Awards more than $100,000 in Rural Development Grants to Local Projects: In an effort to elevate rural communities, Illinois Farm Bureau partnered with county Farm Bureaus (CFBs) to award 23 Rural Development Grants totaling $105,000 to support local projects across the state. Of the grants awarded, eight are fulfilling rural emergency services needs and 15 are projects focused on economic or community development.

“Illinois Farm Bureau is proud to collaborate with county Farm Bureaus to support these outstanding projects that will ultimately elevate the quality of life for those living in these communities,” said Ryan Tate, IFB associate director of local government. “We are excited to see the long-term impact of these grants in the years ahead.”

The Rural Development Grant Program provides resources, tools and support to help local communities and counties overcome challenges inherent in rural development projects, such as lack of funding and volunteers, complicated grant applications and others. In selecting grants, IFB searches for projects that will meet a need in a community, county or rural area and get residents excited about what is happening in their community.

Grant recipients this year are:

• Xenia Fire Protection District, through Clay CFB, received a grant to purchase a cut off saw kit that will be used for rescues in which firefighters need to cut through metal buildings or objects, such as machine sheds, grain bins or metal roofs.
• Greenup Fire Protection District, through Cumberland CFB, received funding to install IV pumps for fluid and medication administration in two ambulances, which could make a difference in patient outcomes during the 25–30-minute drive to local hospitals.
• Edwards CFB received a grant to purchase enhanced radio equipment for the Albion Rural Fire Department.
• Nauvoo Police Department, through Hancock CFBs, received funding for new portable radios.
• Williamsfield Fire Protection District (WFPD), through Knox CFB, received a grant for multi-band radio upgrades to streamline communication between WFPD in Knox County and 911 dispatch as well as other fire departments in Peoria County.
• Alhambra Community Fire Protection District, through Madison CFB, received funding for a new rural fire district address sign program that will provide identifying address signage that will allow for easier access and quicker response times in case of fire or emergencies.
• Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District, through McLean CFB, received a grant for a QTAC trailer for their firefighting rescue skid unit.
• Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, through Montgomery CFB, received a grant for communication upgrades to ensure emergency responders maintain consistent communication across long distances.
• Bureau County 4-H Clubs, through Bureau CFB, received a grant for the Bureau County IL 4-H Clubs, Inc.’s food stand repairs and equipment replacement.
• Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, through Douglas CFB, received a grant for Placer.ai Software, which will be used as an economic development tool to attract new businesses, help existing businesses retain market share and create targeted marketing campaigns.
• Franklin CFB received a grant for its Farm Emergency Plan, a collaboration with local fire chiefs to help with emergency responses at area farms.
• Sycamore Acres, through Fulton CFB, received funding to create a one-acre u-pick flower, vegetable and pumpkin patch, as well as two mobile farm stand booths to serve as small business incubators.
• Boyd Healthcare Services, through Greene CFB, received a grant to support the building of a new rural health clinic to provide healthcare and on-site emergency service to northern Greene County.
• Warsaw Mercantile, through Hancock CFB, received funding to purchase equipment for their indoor farmers market to better provide the area with access to healthy, locally produced foods.
• Jo Daviess Local Foods, through Jo Daviess CFB, received a grant to expand its operations by covering the cost of cold storage, including a display cooler and freezer, for the local food hub.
• City of Mendota, through LaSalle CFB, received funding to support the Work Well Mendota project, which will provide a low-cost service for individuals and businesses to receive support to develop business plans, create marketing plans, create succession plans and network with other businesses county-wide to establish and sustain business in the region.
• North Central Regional Betterment Coalition, through LaSalle CFB, received a grant to launch a Dolly Parton Imagination Library in three counties.
• Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County, through Livingston CFB, received funding for the Intergenerational Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County project, which seeks to build a new intergenerational community center that will focus on the needs of all residents with an emphasis on children and older adults.
• Massac County Youth Fair and Community Center, through Massac CFB, received a grant to support renovations to the Massac County Community Center Building.
• West Prairie Water Cooperative, through McDonough CFB, received funding for engineering fees for construction of a second water tower.
• Greenview Civic Improvement Association, through Menard CFB, received a grant to help replace the HVAC units in the Greenview Community building.
• Mercer County Better Together, through Mercer CFB, received funding for Project Flourish: Building Local Producer Capacity Through a Collaborative Approach, to purchase cold storage for the public-facing retail component of the project.
• Baby Sarah’s Playground Planning Committee, through Perry CFB, received a grant to build an inclusive, handicap-accessible play area.