CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT ISSUE

Stay Informed
with these

Services
Agri Marketing Update
e-newsletter sent each Monday and Thursday
@AgriMarketing on Twitter
Farm Show Guide
Marketing Services Guide
Books:

National Agri-Marketing Association
NAMA Website
Upcoming Events
Chapters
Agri-Marketing Conf
Best of NAMA 2024












ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU MAY BE EXPELLED BY AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer Senior Editor

When Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) affiliate Country Financial decided to no longer require nonfarm policy memberships earlier this fall, the decision rippled to the national level and could result in the American Farm Bureau Federation expelling IFB from membership.

At a Glance

*Illinois Farm Bureau affiliate company Country Financial decided in September to no longer require nonfarm membership in IFB.

*The decision, made by Country Financial but condoned by IFB, could reduce membership from nearly 400,000 to 78,000 next year.

*American Farm Bureau Federation says the decision wasn't made by grassroots membership and threatens to expel IFB from AFBF.

Following a September decision from Country Financial to no longer require nonfarmer memberships in Illinois Farm Bureau, harvest pressed on across Illinois farmland as emails, threats and accusations flew back and forth among county, state and national Farm Bureau organizations.

That correspondence included a warning from Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation president, that the federation could expel Illinois Farm Bureau if it doesn't immediately change course and require Country Financial, its affiliate company, to require memberships. If IFB does not comply, it could see a drop in membership from nearly 400,000 to 78,000.

IFB founded Country Companies Insurance in 1925, which later became Country Financial. Today, Country Financial operates across 19 states and is the largest farm insurer in Illinois.

AFBF blames IFB leadership for refusing to counter Country Financial's decision, claiming they have the power to do so. IFB President Brian Duncan has said the decision was Country's alone. Still, the same board governs both IFB and Country Financial, including Duncan as president, Evan Hultine as vice president and 18 district directors, all elected by Farm Bureau members.

Illinois Farm Bureau says in a statement to Prairie Farmer, "IFB is not looking to remove itself from AFBF. IFB values the partnership it has with AFBF and will continue to strongly advocate to remain a member of AFBF, while upholding agreements between the two organizations. We remain dedicated to the process of discussing and resolving the misunderstanding with AFBF."

IFB declined to answer further questions from Prairie Farmer.

What happened

In mid-September, Country Financial notified its customers that beginning Jan. 1, 2025, it would no longer require Farm Bureau membership for nonfarm policies. It would continue to require an active Farm Bureau membership for farm-related policies.

To read the entire article click here.


Search News & Articles










Proudly associated with:
SIIA AM&P Canadian Agri-food Marketers Alliance National Agri-Marketing Association
Agricultural Relations Council National Association of Farm Broadcasters Agricultural Communicators Network Livestock Publications Council
All content © 2025, Henderson Communications LLC. | User Agreement