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Collegiate Farm Bureau experience shaping lives

The president of the Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau says the organization has changed his life.

Chase Howell, from Peoria County, tells Brownfield, “The Farm Bureau group for me was the group that was welcoming.”  He says, “That’s where I found my friends and my community at SIU. As a thank you to that, I just wanted to serve those that help me get where I am, so I ran for office, and we ran with it from there.”

He says the group has shown him the diversification of the ag industry, as well as instilled a greater sense of community.

“I think that’s an important thing to think about when you’re looking for a four-year university is finding a good group of people that want to grow personally and professionally, but also want you to grow,” he says.

Howell, who graduates this month, says the experience has shaped his career path.  He’ll return to SIU-Carbondale in the fall to pursue a master’s in plant and soil agricultural systems with hopes of becoming an ag instructor at a junior college.

Howell was recently named the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter President for the 2024-2025 academic year by the Illinois Farm Bureau, while his chapter at SIU was named the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter as well.

AUDIO: Chase Howell – SIUC Collegiate Farm Bureau

Photo courtesy of Illinois Farm Bureau