Farm Bureau planted it's roots as the Illinois Agricultural Association (IAA) in DeKalb, Illinois in 1912 and then became the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) at the state level in 1916.

During its first century of existence, Illinois Farm Bureau supported the formation of other key agricultural companies, including COUNTRY Financial, GROWMARK and FS, Prairie Farms Dairy and more. 

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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. 

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The Jersey County Farm Bureau was established in 1918, two years after the founding of the Illinois Farm Bureau. The Jersey County Farm Bureau provided educational resources and expertise through a county advisor hired to help farmers learn and navigate new methods, practices, and technologies. The Farm Bureau proved indispensable in protecting farmers' interests in establishing local co-ops and partnerships, lobbying on behalf of farmers, recommending insurance policies, and even supporting local initiatives for the war effort during the First World War, among other accomplishments.

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Today, the Jersey County Farm Bureau continues to provide education on agriculture through ag in the classroom programs and consumer education classes. Advocacy continues to play a large role in the importance of Farm Bureau. Local issues and relationships are monitored and maintained by the county Farm Bureau, state issues are handled by the IFB state legislative team, and U.S. issues are handled by the IFB National legislative team. All streams of advocacy are connected and work together on issues whenever necessary.