News

Illinois farmers find value in Farm Bureau

Many Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) members tell Brownfield they find value in their membership even amongst the ongoing legal dispute with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

Montgomery County farmer Ethan Brown says the organization gives farmers a voice.

“The story we need to tell to the folks in government and the folks outside of ag, and Farm Bureau is a great way to make sure that that story gets told in a positive light,” he says.

AUDIO: Ethan Brown – Illinois farmer

Macon County farmer Lance Muirhead says he hopes cooler heads prevail.

“I think it’s just a big misunderstanding, a miscommunication.”  He says, “I mean it took us hours and hours of phone calls and meetings to kind of understand the history of everything and the decision that was made.  Now that we do, it cleared everything up for us.”

DeWitt County farmer Tom Hieronymus, who’s been involved with IFB for over 40 years, tells Brownfield he’s not very concerned.

“Everything I hear is that when the smoke all clears, it’s going to end up being okay,” he says.

AUDIO: Tom Hieronymus – Illinois farmer

Muirhead says he’ll continue to be involved with IFB no matter the dispute’s outcome.

“Even if it doesn’t get resolved, we’re still in pretty good hands.”  He says, “They know what they’re doing, and we still got the experts on our side.”

AFBF’s Board of Directors have approved an amended resolution that would end IFB’s membership effective 30 days after conclusion of the pending litigation between the two groups.  The dispute stems from IFB affiliate Country Financial no longer requiring Illinois-based non-farm insurance clients to hold farm bureau memberships effective January 1^st. 

AUDIO: Lance Muirhead – Illinois farmer