Merry Christmas! - Office Closed
2025-12-25

New Years Eve - Office Closed
2025-12-31

Happy New Year - Office Closed
2026-01-01

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. 16th. 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.

CANCELLED - Landowner 201 - Agronomy & Soil Health
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Expand your understanding & skills for managing your farmland with the 2026 Landowner 201 series.

Cancelled Thurs., Feb. 5 – Agronomy & Soil Health, with a focus on maintaining soil fertility & conservation practices
Tues., Feb 10 – Farm Management & Financial Analysis, with a focus on farm business planning including financial management & balance sheets.

Each class will run from approx. 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. Classes will be held in person at the McLean County Farm Bureau building or you can participate virtually (online via Zoom).
Registration costs:

Farm Bureau member fee (per farm): $25 per class
Non-member registration fee (per farm): $30 per class

More than one person per family/farm can attend the classes.

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

Landowner 201 - Financial Management & Analysis
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Expand your understanding & skills for managing your farmland with the 2026 Landowner 201 series.

Cancelled Feb. 5 – Agronomy & Soil Health, with a focus on maintaining soil fertility & conservation practices
Tues., Feb 10 – Farm Management & Financial Analysis, with a focus on farm business planning including financial management & balance sheets.

Each class will run from approx. 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. Classes will be held in person at the McLean County Farm Bureau building or you can participate virtually (online via Zoom).
Registration costs:

Farm Bureau member fee (per farm): $25 per class
Non-member registration fee (per farm): $30 per class

More than one person per family/farm can attend the classes.

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.

2026 Ag Summit - Springfield
2026-02-19 08:30 - 13:00 | Panter Creek Country Club, Springfield, IL
COUNTRY Financial & Illinois Farm Bureau host the 2026 Ag Summits, an event focused on strengthening farmers, families, and futures by providing valuable insights, practical strategies and resources to plan for success in the year ahead.
Enjoy a free meal & hear from expert speakers:
– David Widmar, Agricultural Economist offering the latest economic outlook
– Kris Kline, Financial Specialist at COUNTRY Financial & a local attorney discussing succession planning and financial service offerings
– Illinois Farm Bureau providing stress management strategies and tips for and farm family well-being
Registration is required for all attendees & space is limited – register here.
This summit will be offered in several locations:
– Feb 18: Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, Carterville, IL | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
– Feb 18: Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon, IL | 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
– Feb 19: Panther Creek Country Club, Springfield, IL | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
– Feb 19: Pekin Country Club, Pekin, IL | 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
– Feb 20: Urbana Country Club, Urbana, IL | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
– Feb 23: Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, IL | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
– Feb 24: Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove, IL | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

2026 Ag Summit - Pekin
2026-02-19 16:00 - 20:30 | Pekin Country Club, Pekin, IL

2026 Ag Summit - Urbana
2026-02-20 08:30 - 13:00 | Urbana Country Club, Urbana, IL

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

Prime Timers Meeting
2026-02-26 11:30 - 13:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Prime Timers will meet on Thursday, February 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 (1/2 sandwich & soup from McCallister’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by February 24.
The Prime Timers group is geared towards any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Rules for the Road - Pekin
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Tazewell County Farm Bureau, 1505 Valle Vista Blvd #5, Pekin, IL, 61554
Sit in this workshop at Tazewell County Farm Bureau to hear updates about new trucking regulations and get your transportation questions answered with with Illinois Farm Bureau transportation expert, Rodney Knittel.

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.

Rules for the Road - Gilman
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau, 1381 S Crescent Street, Gilman, IL, 60938, United States
Sit in this workshop at Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau to hear updates about new trucking regulations and get your transportation questions answered with with Illinois Farm Bureau transportation expert, Rodney Knittel.

Primary Election - Go Vote!
2026-03-17 06:00 - 19:00
Primary Elections will take place March 17, 2026.
Offices on the ballot include:

U.S. Senate (1 seat)
U.S. Representative
IL General Assembly – House & Senate
Statewide offices – Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer & Comptroller
County Board & Countywide offices
Referenda for specific taxing bodies

Three ways to cast your ballot:

Vote by Mail: Request a mail-in ballot by March 12
Vote Early: Feb. 5 – March 16 Click here for times & locations
Vote on Election Day – March 17: polls open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Find specimen ballots: click here (or Bloomington voters click here)

McLean County Chamber Ag Awareness Breakfast
2026-03-18 07:00 - 20:00
McLean County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 24th Ag Awareness Breakfast at the McLean County Fairgrounds on March 18th 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.

Rules for the Road - Virtual
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:30
Join the Rules for the Road seminar from wherever you get service to hear updates about new trucking regulations and get your transportation questions answered with with Illinois Farm Bureau transportation expert, Rodney Knittel. A link will be sent to closer to the event date & a hard copy of the handbook will be mailed to your address.

Office Closed - Happy Easter!
2026-04-03

Young Leaders - Tour at Watershed Foods
2026-04-07 16:30 - 18:00 | Watershed Foods, LLC
Watershed Foods is a leading supplier for freeze-dried solutions and use cutting-edge technologies. Join us on the tour to learn more about their business, products, and how they became leaders in the industry.
The tour will be at Watershed Foods Facility in Gridley, 202 N Ford St, on April 7th at 4:30pm. The tour will last approx. 1.5 hours. Closed-toe shoes must be worn. The tour is limited to 12 people.

Prime Timers Meeting
2026-04-23 11:30 - 13:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Prime Timers will meet on Thursday, April 23, at 11:30 a.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington. Lunch will be available for $5 per person (1/2 sandwich & soup from McCallister’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by April 21. The Prime Timers group is geared towards any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.
