CLINTON COUNTY REPRESENTED AT IFB YOUNG LEADER CONFERENCE

More than 415 young leaders in agriculture from across the state met in East Peoria for the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Conference, held Feb. 7-8.

At least four (4) members of Clinton County Farm Bureau attended the 2025 conference, which featured industry experts from across the ag landscape, educating the attendees on a wide range of topics, including succession planning, a focus of this year’s conference. Other topics covered included financing, urban agriculture, accessing government programs, livestock management, niche agriculture markets and effective agronomy.

“Succession planning is very important to Young Leaders as they decide what path to take back to the farm,” said Stephen Riskedal, 2025 Young Leader State Committee chair. “It’s important to many of us. My family is looking at the ‘who does what, when.’ My friends and other Young Leaders all work full-time jobs and are figuring out what the future looks like for them.”

The keynote address was given by Elaine Froese, who is known as the “Dr. Phil for farmers.” Froese said she grapples with the same issues as young farmers in Illinois on her family’s farm in Manitoba, Canada. When a generation will “step back,” not necessarily “step away” is a tough topic, she said of succession planning. During the conference, Froese offered “Coach on Call in the Hallway,” in which participants contacted her by phone to arrange one-on-one conversations.

The state Young Leader Committee is comprised of 18 district representatives between ages 18 and 35 who are passionate about promoting agriculture and Illinois Farm Bureau. Committee members engage with others from around the state at conferences and workshops and through their district and county Farm Bureau.