Happy 100^th IFB!

Two years in the planning, a century in the making - Illinois Farm Bureau^® (IFB^®) celebrates its 100th anniversary today! Birthday cake and ice cream from our favorite co-op dairy will be part of the festivities. Prairie Farms Dairy began in 1932 with a few cooperative creameries in Illinois. Today with more than 800 farms and 24 plants, Prairie Farms ranks among the top 20 dairy co-ops in the country; processing 1.8 billion pounds of milk per year. 

COUNTRY Financial CEO, Kurt Bock will present a gift to honor today's anniversary; ten new museum-quality cases that highlight great moments in the history of the Family of Companies. From the IAA Building lobby stairs you can see three gifts COUNTRY has presented to IFB over the years: Illinois Countrysides tapestry, the bronze farmer statue, and now the new history display outside of COUNTRY Auditorium. IFB first ventured into the insurance business in 1925. Today, that insurance business has grown to exceed $3 billion in annual revenue and earn it the 681st spot in the Fortune 1000. 

In 1919 IFB adopted the slogan "Organized for Business" and it's business enterprises have been overwhelming successful. An early IFB co-op the Broom Corn Growers Association may no longer be needed but GROWMARK's $10 billion in annual sales is a major ag cooperative accomplishment. 

Illinois was the first state Farm Bureau^® to reach 100,000 members.

Illinois has provided more years of leadership to AFBF than any other state. 

Through out the past 50 years delegates from IFB have visited more than 30 countries on five continents to promote Illinois agriculture. 

Through out the last century Illinois Farm Bureau has been a positive and powerful voice for Illinois agriculture. What a fitting time to salute the visionary leaders, county Farm Bureau managers, employees, and most importantly our farmer members who make this organization great! Happy 100th IFB!!