CCFB News» January 2022

 Illinois Farm Bureau^® (IFB) delegates re-elected President Richard Guebert, Jr., and Vice President Brian Duncan at the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 4-7. Richard Guebert Jr. has secured another term — his fifth and final — as president of Illinois Farm Bureau. 

Guebert was first elected president in December 2013, making him IFB's 15th president. 

"It's my honor and my privilege to serve for the last two years this term as president of this organization," Guebert said.

"And I commit that I will continue to do my utmost to work hard, support and defend the policy not only here in the state of Illinois, but in Washington, D.C. and across this country." 

Guebert also thanked the 321 delegates present at the annual meeting, IFB staff, and his family. "Without their support, I couldn't do this job," Guebert said. 

Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. addresses the delegate session during the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 4-7. (Photo by Catrina Rawson)

His nomination to serve as president in 2022 came from Janet McCabe, Cook County Farm Bureau president, during the 2021 IFB Annual Meeting General Session in Chicago. Guebert ran unopposed. 

McCabe said she was nominating Guebert because he has "proven to be an effective and responsive leader."

CCFB President, Janet McCabe nominates Richard Guebert Jr. for President of the Illinois Farm Bureau

Under Guebert, McCabe said, communications and sharing of information between IFB and county Farm Bureaus have increased, membership has gone up, specialty growers have expanded, and relationships with legislators have evolved. 

She added that during the coronavirus pandemic, Guebert has ensured the agriculture industry keeps functioning and farmers weren't neglected. 

"Rich's support of all these efforts is paramount to the organization staying current and a source of reliable information," McCabe said. 

Guebert, who farms and resides in Randolph County, previously served 10 years as IFB vice president from 2003 to 2013. 

Guebert has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education, with a minor in animal science from Southern Illinois University. Guebert, his wife, Nancy, and their son, Kyle, operate a corn, soybean, and wheat farm in Randolph County.

Brian Duncan, of Polo in Ogle County, was re-elected to a two-year term as IFB vice president. Duncan has served as IFB vice president for the past four years and previously served as the Ogle County Farm Bureau president. He also previously served on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Swine Advisory Committee, National Pork Producers Council Price Discovery Task Force, and Ogle County Pork Producers board of directors.

“From the bottom of my heart, it is my privilege to serve as vice president of Illinois Farm Bureau,” Duncan said. “I do not take lightly your trust in me to help shepherd this organization forward and to uphold our policy. I never forget that it is my job to serve you, the member, and I look forward to going above and beyond as much as possible in the next two years. Illinois farmers have a great story to tell, and together we are backed by a strong organization that is dedicated to doing just that.” 

Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Brian Duncan reviews policy resolutions during the Monday delegate session (Photo by Catrina Rawson)

Duncan is a graduate of Sauk Valley Community College and is an active member of Forreston Grove Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Kelly, raise corn, soybeans, wheat, pigs, and cattle on their farm near Polo; they have four children.

The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 372,326 and a voting membership of 77,462. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.