Joining the Illinois Farm Bureau through your county Farm Bureau offers a wide range of benefits, especially for farmers, landowners, agribusiness professionals, and rural residents. Here are the top 5 reasons to join Farm Bureau.

1. Advocacy & Representation:
   1. Farm Bureau advocates for policies that support agriculture at the local, state and federal levels.
2. Access to Resources:
   1. Members receive access to detailed agricultural reports, market data, and analysis.
   1. Farm Bureau provides guidance and resources related to land use, zoning, and farming regulations.
3. Discounts & Member Perks:
   1. Farm Bureau offers over 300,000 local, state and national discounts including Ford, Case IH equipment, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Great Wolf Lodge, Drury Hotels, Start Hearing, and much more.
4. Community & Networking:
   1. Farm Bureau provides opportunities for farmers and agriculture professionals to network.
   1. At the Illinois Farm Bureau level, industry experts are employed to assist our members.
5. Support for Illinois Agriculture:
   1. Membership helps fund educational outreach, agriculture literacy programs, such as Ag In The Classroom in Stephenson and Carroll Counties, and scholarships.
   1. Farm Bureau advocates for and promotes a strong future for the agricultural community.

Farmers (active or retired), landowners, rural residents, agriculture business professionals and individuals who support agriculture are encouraged to join. To join visit www.myifb.org/application/appcreate/. If you’d like to join using cash or check please stop by your county Farm Bureau during normal business hours to sign up. As an extra benefit for those who join either the Carroll or Stephenson County Farm Bureau on or before August 22, 2025, you will be entered to win a gas gift card.

Sourdough 101 Class: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau is hosting a Sourdough 101 class on September 23rd! Diane Reinhold, an Extension Educator in Nutrition and Wellness, will lead this session. Diane will discuss the science of sourdough, its benefits, how to develop a starter dough, how to maintain it, and a bread how-to! This class is limited to 25 participants and is free to attend. Due to limited space, reservations must be made by September 17th. The class will be held at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau building from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. If you're interested, please call the office at 815/232.3186.

Plat Book Special: Both Carroll and the Stephenson County Farm Bureaus will be running plat book specials through the end of August.

            Carroll County 2024 Plat Books $25 for Farm Bureau members and $45 for non-members

            Stephenson County 2025 Plat Books $28 for Farm Bureau members and $48 for non-members

Plat books can be purchased at their respective county during normal business hours. Carroll County Monday through Thursday 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. and Stephenson Monday through Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Please call your local county Farm Bureau with questions.

Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Hosts 5th Annual Tractor Trek- Saturday, September 13^th: The 5th annual Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Foundation Tractor Trek will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, to help support the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom program, scholarships, and internships.  Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to join us as we enjoy a leisurely ride through the rolling hills of Northwest Winnebago County and Northeast Stephenson County.  Enjoy lunch at Lake Summerset.  Drivers must be 16 years or older with a valid driver’s license.  Tractors must be 25 years or older, have rubber tires and SMV emblems, and travel a minimum of 10 mph.  No four-wheel drive tractors.  Mirrors and fire extinguishers are encouraged.  Buddy Seat riders may be allowed with approval.  Limited seats will be available on the wagon.  Visit our website at https://www.winnebagoboonefarmbureau.org/foundation-events.html for additional information, rules, and registration forms.