In September, COUNTRY Financial, an affiliate of Illinois Farm Bureau, announced that effective January 1, 2025, it will no longer require its Illinois-based insurance clients purchasing non-farm policies to hold IFB memberships. In response, the American Farm Bureau Federation announced that it would expel IFB from the federation, effective December 20, 2024.
IFB is fighting to stay a member of AFBF and has filed a lawsuit and injunction in McLean County Court. A previous contract between AFBF and IFB states, except for certain limited circumstances that are not present here, AFBF is not allowed to terminate IFB’s membership based on business decisions made by affiliates, including COUNTRY Financial.
We discussed the matter with IFB President Brian Duncan and Vice President Evan Hultine.
State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes getting information gathered for 2024 pest report.   We hear from Ron & Deb Moore of Roseville, named Farm Family of the Year by the Illinois Soybean Association. We also hear from Lucas Lentsch, CEO of United Soybean Board.
Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems provides an update.