They’re stuffed in doors and mailboxes throughout Illinois’ countryside – offers to lease farmland to install wind turbines and solar panels. What should farmers do with them? In this important episode, Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan asks IFB’s staff experts about what members can do to protect their families, farms and legacies. Bill Bodine, IFB director of business and regulatory affairs, Laura Harmon, associate counsel, and Garrett Thalgott, assistant general counsel, offer valuable insight into the renewable energy industry and steps farmers should consider before signing a contract.

Illinois State Trooper Rodger Goines has responded to numerous heartbreaking crashes involving youth and ATVs and UTVs -- and he’s pleading to Illinois residents, parents and farm families to take steps to prevent them. Why are ATV crashes on the rise? What can be done? Trooper Goines and RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer tackle this important issue affecting rural communities throughout the country.  




University of Nebraska Medical Center: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/resources/resources-atv-utv-safety.html
National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Youth: Youth guidelines offer parents recommendations for assessing whether their child is ready to operate a UTV or ATV based on physical and emotional abilities: https://cultivatesafety.org/safety-guidelines-search/?category=familyyouth

Jenny Ring, Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau, and Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Evan Hultine share their Farm Bureau stories, memories and thoughts on the intangible benefits of an IFB membership. “You just build this network of people that you can connect with on a deeper level because you’re going through the same things,” Ring said. “It’s also the continued leadership opportunities and personal development.”

RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer sits down with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II and Dr. Staci Slager, assistant state veterinarian, for an important and timely update on the impact of avian influenza in Illinois. Costello also announces a 30-day suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets and auction markets.

In this heartwarming episode, Rita Frazer takes listeners to the Hultine family farm in Bureau County to talk to IFB Vice President Evan Hultine and his parents, Lynn and Kathy, about farm life, community service and persevering through tough times with humor.

Ryan Whitehouse, IFB director of national legislation, joins IFB President Brian Duncan to discuss President Donald Trump’s first days in office, expectations of the new Congress and how Illinois Farm Bureau plans to fight for farmers in Washington, D.C.

Mark Gebhards, IFB chief strategy officer, joins IFB President Brian Duncan to reflect on the issues and policies he navigated during his decades-long Farm Bureau career.

Agrivoltaics and apiculture are topics among the nearly two dozen policy proposals on tap for final debate at IFB's Annual Meeting. IFB Vice President Evan Hultine recaps 2024 action from the IFB Resolutions Committee and explains IFB's policy development process with Allie Speer, IFB assistant director of policy development & advocacy.

From developing policy to managing relationships, county Farm Bureau presidents hold tremendous power. AFBF President Zippy Duvall joins IFB President Brian Duncan to discuss the role of CFB presidents and Farm Bureau's grassroots policy development process in Episode 8, recorded at IFB's 2024 Presidents Conference.

What's next with the Family Farm Preservation Act and IFB's other state legislative priorites? Kevin Semlow, IFB executive director of governmental affairs and commodities, joins IFB President Brian Duncan to preview the 2024 fall state legislative session.