Appreciation for FarmWeek goes back 35 years
Illinois agriculture is impacted by policy changes and other issues, and we farmers need access to timely, accurate news and information to contextualize our significant financial and agronomy decisions, which can affect future generations on the farm.
Illinois Farm Bureau’s forefathers recognized this truth half a century ago, launching FarmWeek in 1974 as a new type of communications tool to serve Illinois Farm Bureau members with important updates to state and federal policies, trends in the farm economy and news from the organization.
FarmWeek, IFB’s flagship publication, has advanced beyond its weekly newspaper origin to also include FarmNowWeek.com while maintaining its mission “to inform, create awareness, share ideas and bolster the collective voice of IFB members.”
Generations of talented staff have upheld FarmWeek’s tradition of showcasing the breadth of Illinois agriculture, sharing member stories and taking the pulse of agricultural policy. Illinois Farm Bureau members consistently rate access to news and information among their most-valued member benefits.
My appreciation for the newspaper took root 35 years ago, when I would study FarmWeek to prepare as a Young Leader Discussion Meet competitor. Reading the paper provided thorough background on current ag issues and Farm Bureau’s policy positions, giving me confidence in my rounds.
Learning more about other IFB programs and news around the organization through FarmWeek became more helpful in my time as a county Farm Bureau president. And as IFB vice president and chair of the IFB Resolutions Committee, I saw firsthand the strength FarmWeek brings to our grassroots policy development process.
FarmWeek ultimately serves as a first draft of Illinois Farm Bureau history, chronicling for future generations the organization’s successes and progress in its services, programs, membership, leaders and policy.
Then-IFB President Harold B. Steele knew this when he wrote in his introductory FarmWeek column, “this publication is the result of the efforts of many, both in Farm Bureau itself, and in the companies that are members of the Farm Bureau family of services.”
He recognized an informed membership contributes to Farm Bureau’s strength, as members’ collective ideas and voices underpin our grassroots policy and advocacy.
Illinois agriculture is stronger because of FarmWeek, and as our industry continues to change, I’m confident the publication will continue to innovate and evolve to remain a tradition of Illinois Farm Bureau for the next 50 years, and beyond.