2024 Annual Meeting
2024 IAA Annual Meeting
Nearly 2,000 members attended the 2024 IAA Annual Meeting in Chicago for a weekend of networking, policy development, career growth and more. Here are some of the highlights of the weekend.
From the Delegate Floor | Developing Young Leaders | Celebrating Success | Sights & Sounds
From The Delegate Floor
Illinois Farm Bureau®’s grassroots process takes center stage at Annual Meeting, with 331 voting delegates debating policy and voting in new board members.
Addressing Delegates: IFB President Brian Duncan | President Duncan’s Full Address (Video) | Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
IFB Policy Process in Action: Farmland Ownership, Deer | No Eminent Domain | Renewable Energy | Bylaw Ammendments
Electing Leaders: Four new IAA Board of Directors members | Meet Randy Aberle (District 6) | Meet Barry Fisher (District 8) | Meet Mark Hortin (District 12)
Developing Young Leaders
Illinois Farm Bureau® is committed to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders, and that talent was on display in Chicago.
Outgoing Young Leader Chair Jenna Severs | New Young Leader Chair Stephen Riskedal | Discussion Meet Winner Michaela Greathouse (Video) | Achievement Award Winners Ethan and Katie Brown | Excellence in Ag Winner Sadie Asher | Discussion Meet Final Four | District 14 Committee Rep. Lindsay Budde
Celebrating Success
Illinois Farm Bureau® celebrated a year of impactful advocacy, trusted information and meaningful development, along with the inspiring members who make the organization so effective and respected.
Eagle Award Winners: Rollo Burnett (Metropolis) | Mike Hodge (Salem) | Lin Warfel (Tolono) | FarmWeek Feature
More: County Awards of Excellence Recipients | 2024 Retirees | Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Volunteers of the Year Mike and Amy Saddoris, Jill DeRycke, and Bev Woodward | IAA Foundation fundraising events raised $52,000 to support the future of agriculture | IAA Teacher of the Year Lisa Corp (FarmWeek) | Retiring Director Keith Mussman (Audio) | Distinguished Service Award Recipient Rich Guebert, Jr. | $94,000+ raised during Illinois Harvest for All | Illinois Ag in the Classroom Administrator of the Year Jennifer Arnold
County Programs: Cook County’s “Future Forward” | Woodford County’s Adopt-a-County-Board-Member | Stephenson County’s Roots and Shoots | Whiteside County’s Junior Vet University | Wayne County’s property tax resource
Sights & Sounds
With 1,780 members registered to attend, the 2024 Annual Meeting was the biggest ever. Country music star and Marion County native Drew Baldridge performed, members learned impactful, in-depth information during 13 micro talks and the exhibit hall was full of fun and engaging opportunities.
Drew Baldridge Concert: RFD Interview | “Tough times make tough people”
Micro Talk Highlights: Mental Health | IFB partnership expands ag news coverage