McLean County Farm Bureau

MCFB Board Meeting
2024-11-19 | IL

Office Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!
2024-11-28 - 2024-11-29 | IL

Prime Timers Christmas Luncheon
2024-12-05 11:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Farm Bureau members of retirement age are invited to the annual Prime Timers Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mini Expo at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington.
A catered meal will be provided along with musical entertainment. The luncheon is free, but reservations are required by December 2.

Beef House Christmas Bus Trip
2024-12-18 09:30 - 17:00 | IL
Join us for a delicious and exciting bus trip to the Beef House in Covington, Ind. for their annual Christmas Show Wed., Dec. 18.

You’ll enjoy round trip bus transportation, a tasty Beef House buﬀet meal and a matinee musical show featuring a blend of sacred and secular Christmas favorites.

The cost is $75 per person for Farm Bureau members and $85 for non-members.

The bus will depart from the McLean County Fairgrounds at 9:30 a.m. and return approximately 5 p.m. (central time).

Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m. (eastern time).

The registration deadline is Dec.11 and a minimum of 30 people must be registered by Dec. 1 to secure the bus.

Office Closed - Merry Christmas!
2024-12-24 - 2024-12-25 | IL

Office Closed - Happy New Year!
2024-12-31 - 2025-01-01 | IL

MCFB Annual Meeting
2025-01-16 17:00 - 17:30 | IL
Notice is hereby given that the McLean County Farm Bureau will hold the organization’s Annual Business Meeting Thurs., Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Farm Bureau office 2242 Westgate Drive in Bloomington.
The business meeting will include financial and program reports as well as any other business that may be properly presented.

Any voting member is welcome to attend. Reservations are not required.

Herbicide Strategy Workshop
2025-01-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Ln, Bloomington, IL, 61704, United States
The Illinois Soybean Association partnered with McLean County Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension to host a lunch-and-learn workshop focused on the EPA’s new Herbicide Strategy. Attend to learn about changes in pesticide policy, help them understand the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Herbicide Strategy, and provide concrete steps they can take to prepare their farm operations. A complimentary lunch is included with your registration.
Click here to learn the background of the EPA Herbicide Strategy
The advantages of attending include:

Access to expert knowledge
Achievable strategies
Insight into new regulations
In-person engagement

Beekeeping 101
2025-01-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Bloomington High School, 1202 E Locust St, Bloomington, IL, 61701
The Central Illinois Beekeepers Association is hosting a Beekeeping 101 class for those interested in getting started. See the flyer below for more details.

Everything Local Conference
2025-01-29 08:00 - 2025-01-31 17:00 | Bank of Spingfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL, 62701, United States
Illinois Specialty Growers Association and partners host the annual Everything Local Conference. This will take place in Springfield, January 29-31, 2025.
For more details and registration click here

2025 IFB Young Leader Conference
2025-02-07 - 2025-02-08 | IL
Cruise your way into leadership at the 2025 IL Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference Feb. 7-8, 2025 in East Peoria.
Keynote speaker Elaine Froese – the ‘Canadian Farm Whisperer,’ an expert in farm transition planning, plus a variety of workshops & training sessions.
Click here to check out the conference agenda. Registration deadline Dec. 20, 2024.

Farm Succession Virtual Series "Planting the Seeds"
2025-02-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
SIUC School of Medicine is hosting a virtual series on farm succession. Join presenters, Wesley Tucker, a Farm and Ranch Transition Specialist from Missouri Extension, and Monica McConkey, an Agricultural Mental Health Counselor in discussion.
The first session offered is “Planting the Seeds: The Process of Farm Succession Planning” which is a discussion about basic steps for creating a plan and what to consider along the way
To register for one or multiple sessions, call 618.443.7692 or email mblock95@siumed.edu

Farm Succession Virtual Series "Cultivating Communications"
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
SIUC School of Medicine is hosting a virtual series on farm succession. Join presenters, Wesley Tucker, a Farm and Ranch Transition Specialist from Missouri Extension, and Monica McConkey, an Agricultural Mental Health Counselor in discussion.
“Cultivating Communications: The Farm Meetings” is a discussion about the types of farm meetings, their purpose, who is involved, and how to navigate differences.
To register for one or multiple sessions, call 618.443.7692 or email mblock95@siumed.edu

A Night for Agriculture
2025-02-22 17:30 - 21:00 | McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us February 22, 2025 for a fun night to celebrate & support the McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation!
5:30 p.m. – Social Hour
6:30 p.m. – Dinner & Program
$75 per person – Steak Dinner, Cash Bar, Silent & Live Auctions, Raffles & More!
Your support helps us…
Grow Knowledge through McLean Co. Ag in the Classroom + the Food & Farm Fun Zone at McLean Co. Fair
Nurture the Future through Ag Science Grants for teachers & FFA Matching Grants
Cultivate Excellence through Ag Leadership Scholarships

Anhydrous Ammonia Training
2025-02-24 13:00 - 15:00 | ASMARK Agricenter
Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Training is available at the Asmark Agricenter @1:00pm on February 24.
To register visit: www.ilfb.org/NH3

Integrated Water Management Workshop
2025-02-26 09:00 - 2025-02-27 16:30 | IL
Learn about water and nutrient manage during this 2 day workshop where University of Illinois staff will share knowledge to help increase productivity and minimize environmental impacts.

More information & Registration

Prime Timers Meeting
2025-02-27 11:30 - 13:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, February 27 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 February 25.
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Farm Succession Virtual Series "Changing Roles"
2025-02-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
SIUC School of Medicine is hosting a virtual series on farm succession. Join presenters, Wesley Tucker, a Farm and Ranch Transition Specialist from Missouri Extension, and Monica McConkey, an Agricultural Mental Health Counselor in discussion.
“Changing Roles: Who is Driving the Tractor?” is a discussion about mentoring future generations.
To register for one or multiple sessions, call 618.443.7692 or email mblock95@siumed.edu

Rules for the Road
2025-03-04 09:00 - 11:00 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us for updates about new trucking regulations and get your transportation questions answered with with Illinois Farm Bureau transportation expert, Rodney Knittel.

Endangered Species Act Compliance Workshop
2025-03-04 11:00 - 12:30 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
The US EPA is implementing pesticide use changes to meet requirements stated in the Endangered Species Act. As each registered pesticide label gets reviewed by the EPA, new labels and restrictions will be released.
Join us at the Endangered Species Act Informational workshop March 4th @ 11:00am at the West Expo, McLean Co Fairgrounds to learn about new regulations and steps to ensure compliance.

Farm Bureau Advantage Conference
2025-03-14 18:30 - 2025-03-15 17:00 | Embassy Suites, East Peoria
Gain valuable insight and knowledge on emerging issues in agriculture during Illinois Farm Bureau’s first-ever Farm Bureau Advantage conference.
The conference, held March 14-15 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, seeks to empower IFB members through opportunities to connect with experts, learn and build new relationships. Attendees will hear five keynote presentations from agriculture experts, political strategists and motivational speakers, including Peter Zeihan, a geopolitical strategist and author.
Other speakers include Eric Snodgrass, a principal atmospheric scientist with Conduit Ag; Josh Sundquist, a Paralympic ski racer, author and motivational speaker; and representatives with Illinois Corn, Illinois Soybean Association and the University of Illinois Center for Digital Agriculture.
For more details and to register click here

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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

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.
