One of my favorite things to do is to explore new places. I love playing tourist in my own town, county and state. Illinois Farm Bureau is offering a unique opportunity for our members to explore agriculture and within our state. On Saturday, June 7th member can participate in a Summer Ag Tour hosted in Menard County. During this day full of tours members will experience: Tours of Hodgsons Produce in Kilbourne where they raise popcorn, peas, green beans and more, lunch at The Main Room in Havanna. After lunch there will be a Tugboat Tour, cruise on the Illinois River, this will feature seeing grain transportation from a different perspective. The day will conclude with Dinner at the Hanse of Fate Brewing Company in Petersburg. This event is exclusive to Illinois Farm Bureau members and costs $50. Registration is limited to 50 total participants and reservations must be made by May 23rd. To register or for questions please call your county Farm Bureau, Carroll, 815-244-3001 and Stephenson, 815-232-3186.
TOP-PERFORMING ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL YOUTH RECOGNIZED DURING PREMIER 20 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: Top-performing and innovative FFA Section Presidents and 4-H members cultivated necessary leadership and professional skills during the Youth Education in Agriculture Committee’s recently held Premier 20 Leadership Conference.The Premier 20 Leadership Conference, held April 28-29 in Bloomington, is an elite youth leadership and professional development opportunity uniting 20 exemplary youth in agriculture from 4-H and FFA. Participants were also recognized for achievements during the 2024-25 academic year.Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies through the YEA Committee sponsors the conference each year. Attendees invited to attend are the Top 10 FFA Section Presidents and the Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future Award recipients. Attendees participated in a series of sessions allowing them to take a deeper dive into what it means to be a leader and make a positive difference while building necessary communication and cooperative skills. The sessions are intended to help the young professionals develop themselves as leaders.
Outstanding Leadership Awards
In addition to participating in leadership workshops, attendees were recognized as top-performing agricultural youth.
Ten Illinois 4-H members, ages 17-19, who exemplified outstanding leadership within the agricultural industry and demonstrate a desire to remain engaged, were recognized as 2024-25 Illinois Sustaining the Future Award recipients. Award winners are:
- Amanda Niemann, Montgomery County
- Caleb Zwilling, Champaign County
- Ellis Rogers, Knox County
- Faustina Krysciak, Kendall County
- Hayley Lair, Adams County
- Kamber Kilgus, Livingston County
- Kristina Morrow, Logan County
- Mason Hilmes, Clinton County
- Owen Kocher, Richland County
- Taylor Crouch, Macon County
Ten individuals were also recognized as a 2024-25 Illinois FFA Top 10 Section President. This award recognizes FFA members who excelled in their role as an Illinois FFA Section President over the past year. Section FFA Presidents assist at various state career development events and overall serve as important leaders in the eyes of students and industry professionals.
Students serving as a Section FFA President dedicate a large sum of their time and dedication to the FFA Organization and those they serve. They truly embody the FFA's motto of "Living to Serve." Award winners are:
- Ethan Bremmer, Section 1 (Stephenson County)
- Paige Sierens, Section 3 (Henry County)
- Ellie Davis, Section 6 (DeKalb County)
- Tiffany DeYoung, Section 10 (Kankakee County)
- Kyle Bradshaw, Section 13 (Pike County)
- Kaydance Wooton, Section 16 (DeWitt County)
- Aubrey Wall, Section 19 (Bond County)
- Wyatt Draper, Section 20 (Crawford County)
- Robert Anderson, Section 23 (Richland County)
- Brianna Cullers, Section 25 (Saline County)
Summer Teacher Workshop, Trucks, Trains, and Transportation: June 16 & June 17, 2025, from 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. each day. This workshop is perfect for those who want to learn about agriculture and want NEW hands-on activities for your students. This workshop includes a fun learning experience while touring farms and ag businesses with special presentations by Illinois Ag in the Classroom. Teachers can register for one or both days. To learn more or to register visit https://tinyurl.com/SAI-2025-Registration.