107th Annual Meeting held

The Clinton County Farm Bureau held its 107^th Annual Meeting on January 21^st at the American Legion in Albers with approximately 300 members and guests in attendance.  Highlights from the meeting included reports from the organization’s officers, staff, and committees, and additional comments from a few special guests.

Nutrient Stewardship Committee Chairman Cliff Schuette reported that the organization received a $30,000 grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau, which will be matched with local funds for nutrient stewardship efforts in Clinton County for 2025.  The committee has received over $194,575 in matching grants from the Illinois Farm Bureau since 2016 for this important effort.

As the organization’s charitable Foundation Vice-President, Schuette also noted the 23 scholarships ($31,500) awarded to students in 2024 and applauded members for their donations over the years.  Through the generosity of our members, the Foundation has been able to award almost 550 scholarships to Clinton County students, totaling over $500,000 to-date!  Schuette noted that the charitable Foundation has also awarded $39,250 in Veterinarian scholarships and over $92,000 in Teacher Grants.

During his President’s address, Mark Litteken recapped some of the past year’s programs, activities, and accomplishments, laid out some goals he had for the organization moving forward, and recapped success with membership growth and the organization’s first “Pulling for Agriculture” tractor pull this past year.

Clinton CFB experienced membership growth in voting and total membership this past year and was even able to gain back a 5^th Delegate to represent members in Chicago during the IFB Annual Meeting in December.  Litteken also praised the work of volunteers and Director Brian Becker for the success of the first “Pulling for Agriculture” tractor pull fundraiser that brought in over $8,000 to support the Foundation and the establishment of a new Ag Mechanics scholarship program in 2025.

Members in attendance also heard reports from Legislative Committee Chairman Ron Holevoet, AITC Committee Chairman Robert Gerstenecker, Young Leader Committee Chairman Quinton Huelsmann, State Representatives Charlie Meier, Farm Bureau Manager Brad Conant’s annual report, and comments from IFB District 16 Director Paul Beisiegel.

Directors elected to serve 3-year terms from their respective districts were: Matt Timmermann (District 1), Justin Benhoff (District 2), Luca Hanke (District 3), Brian Becker (District 4), and Cliff Schuette (At-Large). 

Following the election of Directors, the meeting was adjourned, door prizes were awarded, and everyone received a pound of Prairie Farms butter as they headed for home.  The Farm Bureau would also like to thank the COUNTRY Financial Agents for donating door prizes and all the members that attended!