BY PHYLLIS COULTER
Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau, which started over a decade ago, has grown to about 500 members and welcomed a new chapter at Heartland Community College this year.
“I am really excited to see so much growth and engagement already this year,” said Taylor Hartke, Illinois Farm Bureau youth and collegiate program coordinator.
“It speaks to the quality of the students who are part of Collegiate Farm Bureau and the value that they place in getting involved and providing opportunities for other students as well,” she said.
While Collegiate Farm Bureau cultivates members who will remain engaged with the Farm Bureau into the future, it unites students as the voice of agriculture on their campuses and in their communities now, she added.
In this academic year, about 185 students are new members in 12 chapters across the state.
“These numbers represent tremendous potential for the future of our organization,” Hartke said. “I hope they will be members for a long time, and we’ll see them as Young Leaders.”
The chapters give students industry experience including job shadowing, and provide professional development, networking and community service activities.
Hartke likes to remind students: “While you are pouring into your community, the community is pouring into you.”
Not only do students have the opportunities for scholarships and leadership training as Collegiate Farm Bureau members, but chapters also prioritize community service efforts at the local level such as providing food to local pantries and buying Christmas gifts for children in need.
“We encourage that collaboration piece between collegiate, Young Leaders and county Farm Bureaus,” Hartke said.
“We’ve had a record number of students at the leadership training program and one of the biggest Collegiate Discussion Meets so far, and I’m optimistic that will continue this year,” said Hartke.
Among the 20 students who competed in the Collegiate Discussion Meet in Bloomington on Nov. 1, was Wabash Valley College freshman Aubrey Lambird from Olney in Richland County. She said FFA and Farm Bureau have been a big part of her life so far. “It’s my home away from home,” Lambird said.