Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies 
Illinois FB 1920-present

Founded in 1916, Illinois Agriculture Association – Illinois Farm Bureau – hit its stride in the 1920s and 1930s, and throughout the remainder of the century was THE political and social force in rural Illinois.

Throughout the decades, visionary farmers from around Illinois provided powerful ideas and drive to make “the I Double A” the definitive voice of Illinois farmers, and the premier farm organization that helped improve the business of farming and the quality of rural life.

Active in politics to ensure farmers got a fair return on their investment, and that rural communities received necessary services, IFB helped bring improved roads to an undeveloped rural Illinois. Farm Bureau and its university and government partners helped stamp out the dreaded hog cholera in the late 1960s that constantly threatened the hog industry throughout the decades. This partnership also helped end the fly plague of the 1940s and 1950s. And Farm Bureau has always championed finding new uses for farm products to help improve farm income; products from soybeans such as soy paint, and corn by-products such as ethanol, known as “hi-ball gas” in the 1930s.

People coming together for a purpose has always been a cornerstone for Illinois Farm Bureau’s existence. So through the Rural Youth League, IFB provided educational and social opportunities for its members. Farm Bureau helped lay the foundation for 4-H and brought doctors to rural Illinois communities through scholarship programs.

Counties across Illinois begin to organize soil and crop improvement associations to learn better methods of farming from new 'crop doctors' based upon research from the Land Grant colleges such as the University of Illinois.

Crop advisors from across the state organize the Illinois Association of County Agriculturalists (IACA) and begin meeting regularly.

On January 26, 1916, members of the IACA meet on the University of Illinois campus and organize the Illinois Agricultural Association (Illinois Farm Bureau) controlled solely by farmers with crop advisers serving as experts.

IFB begins work on legislative acts that impact farmers such as the Grain Trade Act, Pure Seed Law and collection of taxes.

The USDA begins subsidizing salaries of farm advisers and encourages Farm Bureaus to increase food production to help satisfy World War I needs.

The first Chicago office of the Illinois Farm Bureau opens in the Edison Building.

Due to the end of World War I, demand for farm commodities declines and leads to over production and drives down prices, creating a financial crisis for farmers.

Farm Bureau leaders realized that many areas of agriculture would benefit from increased support. Leaders voted to establish a number of companies designed to benefit farmers and influence rural life.

The IAA Record begins publication to keep members informed about Illinois Farm Bureau activities.

Congress passes the Capper-Volstead Act that permits farm organization to form co-ops and not be in violation of anti-trust laws.

Samuel H. Thompson, an Adams County farmer, is elected president of IFB and later becomes president of American Farm Bureau Federation.

IAA forms its first affiliated company on March 3, 1924: Illinois Farm Bureau Serum Association to provide medicine to farmers to combat hog cholera.

Earl Smith of Pike County is elected IFB President and would be the longest-serving president in the Association's history, stepping down in 1945.

Real farm relief comes with the passage of the Agricultural Adjustment Act during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt. Commodity production was controlled through acreage reduction, which helped stabilize and improve farm income.

Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) continued to work for Illinois farmers to help them improve their incomes and the quality of their lives. Beginning in the sixties and continuing into the 21st century, IFB has led trade missions to Europe, China, South America, and other parts of the globe. IFB has been vigilant at protecting farmers’ foreign markets, and warning governments of the dangers of embargos and protectionism. Throughout the decades tax issues were always being analyzed and debated by Farm Bureau leaders. IFB won some hard-fought battles in the seventies, achieving needed tax relief for farmers through the Farmland Assessment Law, along with sales tax exemptions on farm machinery and parts, chemicals, and seed. IFB was also successful at eliminating the Illinois Inheritance Tax. Illinois Farm Bureau has created a productive environment that encourages more and more young people and women to become involved in leadership positions throughout the organization and in their communities. Some have “graduated” from FB leadership roles and gone on to leadership roles in our nation’s Capital. At a young age, John Block, former USDA Secretary under President Ronald Reagan, served in several FB leadership positions, and prior to going to Washington D.C., served on the IFB Board of Directors. Beginning in the 1970s, communicating to consumers about food and agricultural issues became and important and necessary activity for farmers and its organization. Consumers sought reassurance that advances in agricultural technology did not jeopardize food safety or the environment. IFB’s consumer-directed education campaigns have been recognized as outstanding and contribute to better public understanding of agriculture. Technology has advanced agriculture in the last forty years far beyond the imagination of the early founders of IFB. However, just like in the beginning in 1916, IFB has worked with farmers to help them better understand technology and how to use it to improve their profitability. During the nineties, IFB fought hard to keep agriculture a top industry for the state. IFB worked with government, regulators, and others to create an environment where agriculture in Illinois can expand and grow to meet the nation’s and the world’s demand for abundant and affordable food.

Illinois Farm Bureau leads the defeat of an attempt to apply sales tax to livestock feed, seed, and breeding stock.

With the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States enters World War II. Illinois Agriculture plays a role in providing service men and women to the war effort as well as supplies for the troops.

Charles B. Shuman is elected Illinois Farm Bureau President. Shuman wanted less government control of production. Shuman would later be elected president of American Farm Bureau Foundation in 1954.

Illinois Farm Bureau, working with the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Illinois State Medical Society, establishes the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program (RIMSAP) to provide college loans to medical students who promise to practice in rural communities for a period of time after graduation.

Statistics from the 1950s

average total U.S. population: 151,132,000; farm population: 25,058,000; farmers 12.2% of labor force; Number of farms: 5,388,000; average acres: 216; irrigated acres: 25,634,869. It takes 6 1/2 labor-hours to produce 100 bushels (4 acres) of wheat with tractor, 10- foot plow, 12-foot row weeder, harrow, 14-foot drill, self-propelled combine and trucks. One farmer supplies food and fiber for 15.5 people.

Statistics from the 1960s

average total U.S. population: 180,007,000; farm population: 15,635,000; farmers 8.3% of labor force; number of farms: 3,711,000; average acres farmed: 303; irrigated acres: 33,829,000. It takes 5 labor-hours to produce 100 pounds (1/5 acre) of lint cotton with tractor, 2-row stalk cutter, 14-foot disk, 4-row bedder, planter, cultivator, and 2-row harvester; 5 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (3 acres) of wheat with tractor, 12- foot plow, 14-foot drill, 14-foot self-propelled combine, and trucks; 99% of sugar beets harvested mechanically (1965). Federal loans and grants for water/sewer systems become common investments for farmers. One farmer supplies food and fiber for 25.8 people.

Illinois Farm Bureau and its Family of Companies relocate from Chicago to dedicate a new constructed building in Bloomington.

In the new millennium Illinois Farm Bureau works for sound agricultural policies and strong global markets. IFB also works year-round telling the farmer’s story plus involving our members at the grassroots level and training present and future leaders.

Active in the Global Marketplace
Illinois Farm Bureau continually works to keep open existing global markets and expand into new ones. Strong export markets are essential to Illinois farmers and the statewide economy. IFB has fought for international trade agreements such as CAFTA-DR (Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic) which broadens trade with our neighbors in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. China’s ascension into the World Trade Organization, another IFB objective, has also brought a boast to Illinois farmers. Soybean exports to China have increased six-fold since 1999 and now surpass $2 billion annually.
Encouraging international trade agreements is just part of the story. Illinois Farm Bureau also offers Market Study Tours to give members and producers firsthand experiences in the global marketplace. China, Brazil, the European Union, Japan, and New Zealand are just some of the markets that have been explored. Participants see the potential markets for Illinois commodities in those countries and meet local producers. When they return, participants share a newfound passion for international trade and cooperation with a wide variety of groups and organizations.
A key element to the exporting process is the system of locks and dams along Illinois’ rivers and throughout the Mississippi. Illinois Farm Bureau is a major proponent of updating the locks and dams along the river system to ensure cost-effective transportation of Illinois commodities to a global marketplace well into the 21st century.

Protecting the Right to Farm
IFB works year-round to promote policies that benefit the Illinois farmer and keeps agriculture viable and the number one industry in the state. Areas of particular focus include sound fiscal policy, energy, farm bills, livestock industry, the environment, and agricultural profitability.

Ronald Reagan, originally from Tampico, Illinois, becomes the 40th President of the United States. John Block, from Galesburg in Knox County Illinois and the Illinois Director of Agriculture, becomes the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Illinois Farm Bureau initiates a publicity campaign against oil companies that oppose using ethanol as a blending agent mixed with gasoline to cut emissions. The smear tactic by the oil companies was unsuccessful.

A new Illinois Farm Bureau logo was introduced, highlighting the state of Illinois.

State Lawmakers pass the Livestock Management Facilities Act which gives livestock farmers the ability to grow and expand and be environmentally responsible to produce competitively priced products.

Illinois Farm Bureau creates a vehicle license plate that salutes agriculture and is issued by the State following extensive behind-the-scenes work by IFB staff and leadership. The specialty plate generates thousands of dollars to help fund Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.

Illinois Farm Bureau, along with Illinois grain and livestock organizations, form the Illinois Farm Families Coalition to create greater consumer awareness of the positive benefits of modern agriculture.

Watch this video about modern Illinois Agriculture from Illinois Farm Families.

Illinois Farm Bureau celebrates its 100th anniversary honoring service to agriculture.