McLean County Farm Bureau

Young Leaders at BloNo Pizza
2025-09-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | BloNo Pizza Co, 1304 Cross Creek Drive, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Join the McLean County Young Leaders at BloNo Pizza Co on Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:00 PM. Our speakers, Tasha Bunting & Lindsay Croke, will discuss the current hot topics in the agriculture industry and provide guidance on navigating those conversations with the general public.
After the presentation, there will be time to network and enjoy golf. 2 golf bays are available with our event space. Appetizers will be provided. Additionally drinks & food can be purchased.

Labor Day - Office Closed
2025-09-01 | IL

Prime Timers
2025-08-28 11:30 - 13:00 | IL
Prime Timers will meet on Thursday, August 28, at 11:30 a.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from Jason’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by August 26.
The Prime Timers group is geared towards any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Drone Demonstration for Cover Crop Delivery
2025-08-14 09:00 - 11:30 | IL

Strategic Land Use Plan - Public Meeting
2025-08-12 18:00 - 20:00 | IL
McLean County Regional Planning Commission will host a Public Meeting Aug. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau office to present the draft McLean County Strategic Land Use Plan and solicit feedback.
Click here to review the draft plan and submit comments.

Food & Farm Fun Zone at McLean County Fair
2025-07-23 09:00 - 2025-07-27 20:00 | IL
When you come to the McLean County fair, stop by the Food & Farm Fun Zone located across from the Mini Expo in the Birkey’s building. The exhibit is open from 9 AM-8 PM Wednesday – Saturday and 12-5 PM on Sunday. Participants of all ages are welcome!

McLean County Fair
2025-07-23 - 2025-07-27 | IL
For the latest updates on the schedule & acts, visit the fair website.

AgTech Innovation Showcase
2025-07-16 08:30 - 13:00 | University of Illinois Research Park
The AgTech Innovation Showcase will foster connections between farmers, innovators, and industry professionals.
The Showcase will feature:

Rapid-fire presentations from startup companies offering cutting-edge, on-farm solutions
Rotating sessions for attendees to connect directly with each innovator
Lunch and networking with peers from across the ag community

Many of the invited innovators are focused on four areas:

Smarter decision tools powered by AI, remote sensing, and real-time field data
Biological and soil health solutions to improve productivity and sustainability
Technologies around inputs and equipment to help reduce costs and maximize ROI
Farm management platforms that simplify operations, data, and financial insights

The 2025 showcase will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 in Champaign and is free and open to the public. More information and registration are available online, on.ilfb.org/agtech25. Registration is due July 9.

MCFB Foundation Golf Outing
2025-07-14 08:00 - 17:00 | IL
The MCFB Foundation Golf Outing is July 14, 9:30 AM at the Den Golf Course.
The Foundation’s focus is to support local ag education efforts through scholarships, grants, and Ag in the Classroom programming.
Click here to sign up and get more information.

Young Leader Ag Industry Tour
2025-07-14 - 2025-07-20 | IL
Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders are headed to Michigan for the 2025 Ag Industry Tour July 14-20th.
The itinerary includes visits to vineyards, the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center, a blueberry farm, a local food bank, and much more!
Registration will be open March 20 – April 7. To register, contact the McLean County Farm Bureau office. Registration does not guarantee you will be accepted for the trip. The trip attendees are determined by lottery system with 10 spots reserved for first time attendees. 35 spots available. Accepted participants have sponsorship options available to help cover trip costs.

Independence Day - Office Closed
2025-07-04 | IL

Prime Timers Meeting
2025-06-26 11:30 - 13:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Prime Timers will meet on Thursday, June 26, at 11:30 a.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from Jason’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by June 24.
The Prime Timers group is geared towards any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Members Night Out
2025-06-21 17:00 - 20:00 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us for a casual evening at the West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, on Saturday, June 21, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. This is a family-friendly event for Farm Bureau members, and all ages are welcome!

Registration deadline June 16.

Young Leaders Destihl Tour
2025-06-11 17:30 - 20:00 | IL
Young Leaders will meet at Destihl Brewery June 11th @ 5:30 PM. Come learn about the beer brewing process, Roots Lager (the IFB beer), and network with others. The evening will include a tour of the facility, a taste testing, and appetizers after. Attendees should be 21+ to attend. Additional drinks/food can be purchased individually.
Destihl Brewery is located at 1200 Greenbiar Dr, Normal, IL.
Young Leaders is geared toward members 18-35 years old. Whether you’re farming or working in agribusiness, McLean County Farm Bureau Young Leaders is for you! Join in to grow your network, sharpen your skills, and serve your community.

Summer Ag Industry Tour
2025-06-07 | IL
Take a trip to Menard County during the IFB Summer Ag Tour on June 7, 2025. Experience the Illinois River by taking a tug boat ride and touring a barge. Charter buses will be available to get to each destination upon arrival at Menard County Farm Bureau.
Agenda:
Depart from Menard County Farm Bureau – Petersburg, IL
Tour Hodgson’s Produce and Greenhouse – Kilbourne, IL
Lunch at The Main Room – Havana, IL
Barge tour on the Illinois River – Havana, IL
Dinner at Hand of Fate Brewing Company – Petersburg, IL

To sign up for the Summer Ag Tour contact the our office at 309-663-6497 or email katie@mcfb.org. Registration to attend is $50. The deadline to sign up is May 23rd.

Golden Clover Nominations Deadline
2025-06-01 | IL
Do you know an outstanding supporter of 4-H and the McLean County Fair? Nominate them for the 2025 Golden Clover Awards!
Golden Clover Awards are presented in three categories:

Golden Clover – volunteer of retirement age
Emerald Clover – deceased volunteer, who has not previously received the Golden Clover award
Special Clover – Extension or fair staff

Click here for the nomination form and past winners. The deadline is June 1.

Office Closed - Memorial Day
2025-05-26 | IL

Cancelled - McLean County Fair Royalty Music Bingo
2025-04-24 18:00 - 20:00 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us for a royal night of music bingo hosted by Twin City Trivia to support the McLean County Fair Royalty Program.
Event starts at 6:00 pm at the West Expo/Cloverleaf Hall on the Fairgrounds. $25 entry fee, cash bar, and lots of prizes!

Prime Timers Meeting
2025-04-24 11:30 - 13:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from Jason’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by April 22.
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Office Closed - Happy Easter!
2025-04-18 | IL

From Farm to Filtration: A Tour of Conservation in Action
2025-04-03 08:00 - 13:00 | IL
Hosted by McLean County SWCD, Purdue University, NREC, The Nature Conservancy, and Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, join us on Thursday, April 3, for a unique conservation tour as we learn about the path of water off the farm through filtration.
This conservation tour will take a look at how drainage tile impacts water quality, how cover crops play a role in nutrient runoff management, the role that wetlands can play in limiting nutrient runoff, and the cost associated with treating nutrients in the water.
The day will begin and end at Davis Lodge at Lake Bloomington. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Please note, the sites will have limited accessibility accommodations. Participants should be comfortable standing for long periods and walking across fields.
The tour will include three stops:

Armstrong-SENDLAB Tile Drainage site in Lexington, IL
Wetlands site at Franklin Research and Demonstration Farm
City of Bloomington Water Treatment Plant

RSVPs are required by March 27. Register here or call the McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 309-452-3848 ext. 3.

Young Leader Tour - One Earth Energy
2025-04-02 14:00 - 16:00 | IL
Young Leaders will visit with One Earth Energy in Gibson City on April 2 at 2:00pm. This is an educational tour for our Young Leaders to learn about their ethanol plant and sequestration. The event is limited to 20 participants. To sign up, click here.

Go Vote - Consolidated Election
2025-04-01 06:00 - 19:00 | IL
Make your voice heard and vote in the 2025 Consolidated Election!

Items on the ballot include:

County School Facilities Tax referendum
Elections for municipal, township, school board and other special purpose districts.

You have three options for casting your ballot:

Vote by Mail: Send in a vote by mail application now through March 31 or request your ballot
online at mcleancountyil.gov/elections
Vote Early: Feb. 20 – March 31 at the McLean County Government Center, find dates
& hours at mcleancountyil.gov/elections
Vote on Election Day: April 1 – Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Are you ready to vote?

To look-up your voter registration, click here
To find your polling place, click here
For information on early voting or absentee ballots, click here.

Specimen Ballots

McLean County
City of Bloomington

County School Facilities Tax - Info Session
2025-03-26 18:30 - 19:30 | IL
Join us Wed., March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau office, 2242 Westgate Drive in Bloomington for an informational session about the County School Facilities Tax that will be on the April 1 ballot.
Speakers:

Brenda Matherly, Illinois Farm Bureau
Mark Jontry, Regional Superintendent of Schools

Light refreshments will be provided and advance registration is not required.
McLean County voters will have the chance to vote on the referendum on whether to impose a county wide 1% sales tax. If approved, the sales tax revenue would be distributed to local school districts for facility
improvements, safety and security or to pay down facility bonds.

More information about the proposed tax is available at april1cent.info/

Prime Timers Meeting
2025-03-26 08:00 - 17:00 | IL
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, April, 24 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from Jason’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by April 22nd.
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Wheat Checkoff Voting
2025-03-26 08:00 - 17:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
The Illinois Wheat Checkoff Committee is holding an in-person referendum on Wednesday, March 26th to ask your opinion on a voluntary 1.5 cent per bushel assessment ran by a farmer led board of directors.
All eligible wheat producers (those who receive a profit from growing wheat) can place their vote at the McLean County Farm Bureau office during regular business hours (8:00AM – 5:00PM) or at another county Farm Bureau office. Visit illinoiswheat.org for more details.

Landowner 101: Basic Agronomy
2025-03-20 18:30 - 20:15 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Landowner 101 is a two part series to help you gain knowledge about managing your farmland.
Session 2: Basic Agronomy will take place at the MCFB office on March 20th @ 6:30pm. It is instructed by Don Meyer. The session will cover the following topics:

maintaining soil health
understanding productivity

Learn more about the workshops, costs, and registration, click here.

McLean County Ag Chamber Breakfast
2025-03-19 07:00 - 08:30 | IL
McLean County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 23rd Ag Awareness Breakfast at the McLean County Fairgrounds on March 19th at 7:00am. The breakfast is open to the community. The program will highlight FFA Service Award winners, scholarship winners, and a keynote speaker. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Anhydrous Ammonia Training
2025-03-18 13:00 - 15:00 | ASMARK Agricenter
Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Training is available at the Asmark Agricenter @1:00pm on March 18.
To register visit: www.ilfb.org/NH3

Landowner 101: Land Ownership & Leasing
2025-03-17 18:30 - 20:15 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Landowner 101 is a two part series to help you gain knowledge about managing your farmland.
Session 1: Landownership & Leasing will take place at the MCFB office on March 17th @ 6:30pm. It is instructed by Dr. Maria Boerngen. The session will cover the following topics:

current economic conditions
understanding lease types
sample leases & forms

Session 2: Basic Agronomy will take place at the MCFB office on March 20th @ 6:30pm. It is instructed by Don Meyer. The session will cover the following topics:

maintaining soil health
understanding productivity

Learn more about the workshops, costs, and registration, click here.
