Micro Talks December 6-7

10 a.m. 
Leading with wellness: the secret to peak performance
Speaker: Kristen Strom, author, speaker, farmer’s wife and mom

11 a.m. 
Safeguarding your finances — how to spot and stop scams
Speakers: Jennifer Killian, IAA Credit Union market manager, and Emily McLeod, IAA Credit Union vice president and chief experience officer

12 p.m. 
Preparing for the unthinkable
Speaker: Rodney Knittel, IFB associate director of transportation and infrastructure

1 p.m.
How the iFAB Tech Hub is shaping Illinois’ bioeconomy
Speakers: Nicole Bateman, iFAB Tech Hub chief strategy officer, and Beth Conerty, iFAB Tech Hub regional innovation officer

2 p.m. 
Forward together — opportunities for County Farm Bureaus to partner with COUNTRY and IFB in 2026
Speakers: Jennifer McDade, COUNTRY Financial external affairs, and Ryan Ford, IFB executive director of field and member services

3 p.m.
Making soil health work for Illinois crop production: insights and next steps
Speakers: Andrew Margenot, University of Illinois

4 p.m.
A Clean Transportation Standard for Illinois — what does it mean for farmers
Speakers: Noelle Neef, IFB assistant director of energy, and Mark Raney, IFB associate director of state legislation

Dec. 7 Lineup

8 a.m.
Wetland opportunities for growers
Speaker: Jason Bleich, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Magnolia Land Partners

9 a.m.
We have an advantage
Jeff Brown, IFB director of strategic communications

11:45 a.m.
How the Make America Healthy Again movement will change perceptions of farmers and farming
Speaker: Lindsay Croke, Illinois Corn director of communications and marketing

12:45 p.m.
ACTIVATOR trustee training
Speaker: Ashley Cravens, IFB associate director of political affairs

2 p.m.
Harvest what you grow: The Organizational Member Strategy (OMS) for the Young Leader perspective
Speakers: IFB Young Leaders serving on the Advisory Committee, Kaylee Heap (Kendall-Grundy), Jon Griffel (Macoupin) and Dan Haynes (Menard)