About us

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Who We Are

Clinton County Farm Bureau is a not-for-profit, voluntary membership organization working to serve the interests and needs of both rural and urban residents.  Our Mission is to “Educate, represent our members, lead with a clear vision of the future, and assist members to achieve a rewarding lifestyle.”

 

While Farm Bureau’s history and purpose are deeply rooted in agriculture, we also strive to serve the varied needs of our non-farming members as well.  Clinton County Farm Bureau currently has over 4,000 total members, with over 1,300 actively involved in agriculture and the balance being Associate (non-farming) members. Members enjoy a number of valuable services and discounts on the local, state, and national level.

Why Farm Bureau

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Contact the Clinton County Farm Bureau office or go to www.myifb.org to join, renew, or manage your membership.
Clinton County Farm Bureau

Affiliation with IFB and AFBF

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The Clinton County Farm Bureau is affiliated with the Illinois Farm Bureau.  Since 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau has provided education and information to help farmers, while supporting legislation and lobbying efforts about agricultural issues.

Founded by farmers as the Illinois Agricultural Association, one of the first activities of the new organization was to bring soil and crop specialists to each county to supply farmers with the latest agricultural research information and recommendations. More than 100 years later, IFB continues to carry out its mission: To improve the economic well-being of agriculture and enrich the quality of farm family life.

During its first century of existence, the non-profit organization supported the formation of other key agricultural companies, including COUNTRY Financial, GROWMARK and FS, Prairie Farms Dairy and more.

Today, IFB has a total membership of nearly 400,000, which includes 78,000 voting members. The voting membership represents three out of every four Illinois farmers. Those members have the opportunity to take part in Farm Bureau policy development by working through their county, state, and national organizations.

IFB creates value for those members by building and maintaining relationships with key policy stakeholders at each level of government. It offers opportunities for current and future generations of farmers to learn, lead and network with one another. And its partnerships with numerous companies and organizations also provide opportunities for additional discounts and benefits for members.

Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers including Farm Bureaus in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

FARM BUREAU and FB are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. More information regarding the American Farm Bureau Federation can be found at www.fb.org. More information regarding Illinois Farm Bureau can be found at www.ilfb.org.

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Board of Directors

  • OFFICERS

    • President - Mark Litteken

    • Vice-President - Cliff Schuette

    • Secretary - Lucas Hanke

    • Treasurer - Ron Holevoet

  • DISTRICT 1

    • Mark Litteken

    • Bryan Henrichs

    • Matt Timmermann

    • Cliff Schuette (At-Large)

  • DISTRICT 2
    • Ron Holevoet

    • Justin Benhoff

    • Travis Hemker

    • Tim Wesselmann (At-Large)

  • DISTRICT 3
    • Philip Rueter
    • Robert Gerstenecker
    • Lucas Hanke
  • DISTRICT 4

    • Brian Becker

    • Quinton Huelsmann

    • Jeremie Stout (At-Large)

    • Ray Krausz
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Clinton County Farm Bureau

Staff

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Bradley D. Conant

FBCM Manager

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Susan Kleiboeker

Ag Literacy Coordinator

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Lisa Voss

Secretary/Bookkeeper

Michelle Wegmann

Insurance Secretary

Committees

Young Leaders

"Developing tomorrow’s agriculture leaders today, to educate consumers and legislatures, while giving back to our communities."

The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader program provides opportunities for individuals ages 18-35 to fuel their passion for agriculture. Whether you’re a full or part-time farmer, ag professional, college student, or supporter of the industry, there is a place for you in Young Leaders.

Young Leaders have the chance to participate in statewide events that bring Young Leaders together to enhance their Illinois Farm Bureau experience through professional development and personal growth. These events include the State Young Leader Conference, Young Leader Ag Industry Tour, Discussion Meet, Young Leader Achievement Award, Young Leader Excellence in Agriculture Award, and several county Young Leader award programs.

Another opportunity available for certain Young Leader members is the Collegiate Farm Bureau program. The purpose of the Collegiate Farm Bureau program is to embody the Farm Bureau’s mission of being a strong voice for agriculture by engaging students through opportunities in leadership, education, legislation, and networking. Through participation in professional development and learning from firsthand experiences throughout the year, members are making the connection between youth agriculture organizations and the Farm Bureau – ensuring member retention and engagement.

Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters can be found on the following university and community college campuses: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University, Western Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Joliet Junior College, Highland Community College, Wabash Valley College, Lincoln Land Community College, Lakeland Community College, Black Hawk College-East, Kaskaskia College, and Illinois Central College.

To learn more about Young Leader opportunities, please contact the Clinton County Farm Bureau office.
Clinton County Farm Bureau

History

October 6, 1917

The Clinton County Farm Bureau began with a meeting on October 6, 1917 at the Court House in Carlyle.  Attorney Hugh Murray met with Champaign County Farmer Peter Schaefer and four Clinton County farmers: George Dillmann, Fred Dillmann, Anton Jenne, and Robert Burnside.  J. T. Goldsmith, County Superintendent of Highways, also met with the group.  It was explained that through a government and state appropriation, $2,100 a year would be paid to any county in Illinois which organizes a Farm Bureau of 300-400 members who contribute a like amount of money.

October 20, 1917

After this initial meeting, a county-wide meeting was held on October 20th to inform farmers of the benefits of forming a farm bureau and what could be gained by having a farm advisor.  Most Northern Illinois Counties were charging $10.00 dues and the Southern Counties were charging $5.00.  It was proposed and adopted to set the dues for Clinton County at $10 a year for landowners with 160 acres or more and $5.00 a year for all others.  This made Clinton County the first county with differential dues.

November 24, 1917

The Farm Bureau held an Organizational Meeting on November 24, 1917 in Carlyle.  In just over a month, 410 members had signed up as members of the Farm Bureau.  Clinton County was only the third county in Southern Illinois to organize.  One of the first decisions to be made by the group was where to locate the office for the Farm Bureau.  Breese, Carlyle, and Trenton all made proposals and the membership voted to locate the office Breese.  The first office was located at South East Corner North Main and North Second Streets in Breese.  The Farm Bureau moved to its current location in 1960.

March 5, 1918

The original Articles of Incorporation for the Clinton County Farm Bureau were signed on March 5, 1918.  The first board of directors for the Farm Bureau were:  Gerhard Holtgrave, Breese – President; Tony Harpstrite, New Baden – Vice President; Paul Hubert, Carlyle – Secretary; Herman Heimann, Albers – Treasurer; N. E. Baum, Irishtown; H. H. Imming, Aviston; Wm. Husmann, Hoffman; Geo W. Koch, Meridian; and Jos. Winters, Germantown.

Over the past ten decades, the Clinton County Farm Bureau continues to grow and prosper.  The same values that started the organization in 1918 still hold true today.

*Information was found in articles and documents kept by the Farm Bureau throughout the years.

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Clinton County Farm Bureau

Past and Present Leaders

  • PAST PRESIDENTS
    • 1917 - 1920 | Gerhard Holtgrave
    • 1920 - 1925 | Geo. W. Koch
    • 1925 - 1925 | C.C. Hofsommer
    • 1925 - 1929 | W. G. Ackmann
    • 1929 - 1932 | Hy. Renschen
    • 1932 - 1936 | A.A. Krausz
    • 1936 - 1946 | Joe Mueller
    • 1946 - 1962 | Lewis Wiedle
    • 1962 - 1982 | John Rehkemper
    • 1982 - 1988 | George Sohn
    • 1988 - 1994 | Charles Huelsmann
    • 1994 - 2001 | Darryl Brinkmann
    • 2001 - 2023 | Ray Krausz
    • 2023 - Present | Mark Litteken
  • PAST MANAGERS
    • 1935 - 1946 | H. H. Burns
    • 1946 - 1982 | James Lager
    • 1982 - 1984 | J. Brad Burzynski
    • 1984 - 2018 | Gary Kennedy
    • 2018 - Present | Bradley D. Conant