McLean County Farm Bureau

Life Line Screening
2026-01-05 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Life Line Screening will be back at the McLean County Fairgrounds on January 5. Life Line Screening is the premier provider of stroke and cardiovascular disease risk screenings since 1993. Life Line Screening is extending a discounted offer to all McLean County Farm Bureau members which will identify your risk level for the following diseases:
1. Carotid Artery Disease
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease
3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
4. Atrial Fibrillation
Click here or call 800-324-9458 to schedule your appointment! A simple screening can be worth a lifetime.

2026 Winter Wheat Forum
2026-01-20 08:00 - 17:00
Illinois Wheat Association (IWA) is inviting farmers and researchers to learn best field practices and strategies from top Illinois double-crop farmers during the annual 2026 Winter Wheat Double Crop Forum.
The forum will be held Jan. 20 at the Rend Lake Event Center in Ina. Registration is $25 for IWA members and $50 for non-members. Visit www.illinoiswheat.org or call 309-557-3619 for more information or to register. Registration is preferred by Jan. 9 but will be accepted at the door. The event will kick off with the IWA annual meeting at 8:30 a.m.
The 2026 Double Crop Farmers Forum is an opportunity for farmers and researchers to hear from top Illinois wheat growers and researchers throughout the Midwest on a variety of topics. In addition to hearing from IWA leaders, attendees will hear an update on policy issues impacting wheat growers from the National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer. Attendees will also hear about ongoing research from the University of Illinois and Illinois Soybean Association.

Young Leaders - Bison Hockey Ag Night
2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Grossinger Motors Arena
Cheer on the Bloomington Bison hockey team during their Ag Night with the MCFB Young Leaders on Jan. 24 @ 7:00 pm. Register below by Jan. 8th. Tickets to attend with MCFB Young Leaders is $10/ticket. Tickets can be picked up at will call the evening of the event.

Everything Local Conference
2026-01-28 - 2026-01-30 | Bank of Spingfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL, 62701, United States
From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference will be January 28-30, 2026, at the Bank of Springfield Center. The conference is jam-packed full of opportunity. There will be over 95 educational sessions & 100 industry experts from across the county, plus nearly 100 exhibitors. For details about the specific sessions, speakers, & registration, visit the Specialty Growers website.

2026 Illinois Dairy Summit
2026-02-04
Illinois Milk Producers Association (IMPA) and University of Illinois Extension are excited to highlight sustainability and technology during the upcoming Illinois Dairy Summit.
The 2026 Illinois Dairy Summit will be held Feb. 4 at Highland Community College in Freeport. This year’s theme is Foraging Profitability with speakers focusing on providing insight on disease management of field crops. Attendees will also hear an update from the Illinois Department of Public Health on regulatory issues.
This year’s speakers include Phil Cardoso and Derek Nolan, with University of Illinois, and Damon Smith with the University of Wisconsin.
There is no fee to attend the summit, but registration is required. To register, visit www.illinoismilk.org, or call 309-557-3703 or email contact@illinoismilk.org. Registration is preferred by Jan. 20 but will be accepted at the door.

Harvest Success: 2026 Young Leader Conference
2026-02-06 - 2026-02-07 | Embassy Suites, East Peoria
Find paths to harvest success at the 2026 IL Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference Feb. 6-7, 2026 in East Peoria.
Event highlights:
– Keynote speaker Lance Weaver, a coach focused on helping American producers achieve long-term success.
– 20 workshop sessions within 5 tracks (see agenda for details)
– Networking & Social activities, including Glow in the Dark Trivia
Click here to check out the conference agenda.
Registration deadline Jan 4, 2026

Certified Livestock Manager Training
2026-02-06 08:30 - 12:30 | Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Ln, Bloomington, IL, 61704, United States
Extension is hosting a Certified Livestock Manager Training on February 6 at 9:00am located in at the Illinois Soybean Association, Bloomington, IL. The workshop sign-in starts at 8:30. The training begins promptly at 9:00am and last 3.5 hours + additional time if taking the written test. Registration is $70.
A certified livestock manager is needed on farms with 300+ animal units, the certification is good for 3 years. For more details about this requirement, look into the Livestock Management Facilities Act.
To learn more about the Certified Livestock Manager program & to register for the training, visit go.illinois.edu/CLMT

Private Applicator Training
2026-02-10 08:00 - 15:00 | Illinois Department of Agriculture, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
Need to recertify your private applicator license? There are several training & testing locations in the area this winter. Trainings start at 8:00am & testing begins at 12:00pm.

December 11 – Champaign
February 10 – Springfield
February 25 – Peoria

Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
2026-02-17 | Bank of Spingfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL, 62701, United States
Save the date! February 17th is the annual IFB Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference.

Rural Community and Economic Development Conference
2026-02-25 - 2026-02-26 | President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams, Springfield, IL, 62701
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs will host Rural Community and Economic Development Conference on Feb 25 & 26 in Springfield, IL.
This conference highlights opportunities that may exist in your area and how local groups have transformed these assets into successful development strategies. Upgrading health care, working with youth to find local employment opportunities, enhancing housing, and transforming local attractions into profitable tourist adventures are just a few of the topics discussed.
Find registration details & agenda here.

Private Applicator Training
2026-02-25 08:00 - 15:30 | Peoria Civic Center

A Night for Agriculture
2026-02-28 17:00 - 21:00 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us for an exquisite evening to celebrate & support the local agricultural education efforts of McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation.Your support helps us:GROW Knowledge…through McLean County Ag in the ClassroomNURTURE the Future…through Ag Science & FFA GrantsCULTIVATE Excellence…through Ag Leadership Scholarships
Details & tickets: https://mcfb.cbo.io

Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy
2026-03-02 10:00 - 15:00 | I Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau will host Focus on the Future in Champaign on March 2, 2026 from 10am-3pm at the I Hotel & Conference Center. The day will cover practical topics that matter to Illinois farmland owners & agricultural stakeholders, including:

Building Strong Landowner-Tenant Relationships: Tips for clear and effective communication to ensure successful farm management.
Understanding Today’s Farm Economics: Gain insights from experts like Jonathan Coppess and Gary Schnitkey to help navigate current financial challenges.
Conservation and Sustainability Updates: Learn about the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and current efforts to improve soil health and water quality through agricultural conservation practices.
Regional Focus: A spotlight on issues and opportunities unique to your area.
Networking and Discussion: Connect with other landowners and professionals, share experiences, and enjoy lunch while discussing what matters most to your operation.

Registration is required both in-person & zoom options are available. The cost is $20. Click here for more details & to register.
