View from the Cab: Annual meeting coming
By Kent Casson
Another annual meeting for the Illinois Farm Bureau is around the corner and several resolutions will be debated by the statewide farmer organization in Chicago.
One can’t help but wonder if the recent announcement by the American Farm Bureau Federation voting to terminate the Illinois Farm Bureau’s membership will be brought up at all. It is certain to be a topic of casual conversation for those in attendance.
In response to the recent AFBF move, Illinois Farm Bureau filed suit in McLean County this month claiming IFB’s membership in AFBF was terminated because the IFB affiliate insurance company COUNTRY Financial no longer required non-farm insurance policyholders to sign on as Farm Bureau members.
Foreign farmland ownership is expected to be one of the issues considered at the IFB annual meeting in early December. They added language to address concerns. A submittal coming from Ogle County opposed Illinois farmland ownership if it is by a foreign government, governmental officials, agencies or businesses under foreign control.
Another policy from Stark County encourages leasing of farm ground to foreign ag companies for research while closely monitoring the type of research they are conducting.
Illinois does not currently have policy prohibiting foreign ownership of farmland, although nearby states do.
LaSalle County submitted policy regarding researching safe application of biosolids on ag land. The proposal says federal and state agencies should make research results and information on the effects of biosolid applications available to farmers.
The Illinois Farm Bureau 2024 annual meeting runs Dec. 7-10 at Palmer House in Chicago with the theme of “Planting a Vision.” The official meeting of voting delegates convenes at 8 a.m. on Dec. 9. Members of the Board of Directors will be elected to serve a two-year term and those attending will act upon proposed amendments and policy resolutions to the bylaws of the Illinois Agricultural Association.
An address from the Illinois Farm Bureau president is also included at the event along with other keynote speakers, IAA Foundation fundraisers, an award program and various workshops.
You know the holiday season is upon us when we discuss the Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting.
