Members of the Edgar County Farm Bureau are optimistic about the organization’s future.

The 105th annual meeting Feb. 4 stressed advancements made during 2022 that augur well for this year.

“I am pleased with the progress we made,” said Edgar County Farm Bureau President Amanda Tate. “Our Young Leaders program has started to snowball again.”

She added the Illinois Farm Bureau is working hard to pass a meaningful farm bill in Congress.

Local manager Wyatt Williamson reported Edgar County Farm Bureau has more than 1,700 members, and a personal highlight was getting Ag in the Classroom reactivated with a vibrant coordinator.

“We are serving at least 800 students monthly,” said Williamson.

Farm Bureau’s business affiliates also had positive news to share with the membership.

Mark Luce, COUNTRY Agency manager, said the insurance provider added 116 new members for the Edgar County Farm Bureau during 2022.

“COUNTRY went through a lot of changes this year, and the Edgar County team did a great job of adapting,” said Luce.

Illini FS had a strong financial year, according to general manage Kory Kraus.

The ag supply service had $11.1 million in income of which $6.1 million was earned without incurring debt.

“We paid out patronage this year,” Kraus said, noting the Farm Bureau members of the cooperative received payments that were 50% in cash and 50% in stock.

Kraus is optimistic about the future following what he described as three lean and difficult years.

“I’m starting my fourth year with Illini FS, and it is getting better,” he said.

As part of the annual meeting, officers and board members were elected.

The current slate of officers was re-elected for another one-year term: Tate as president; vice president Travis Sturgell; secretary Whitney Warner; and treasurer Matt Ehlers.

The following people were re-elected for three-year board member positions: Ray Young, Edgar Township; Eric Tate, Grandview Township; Jake Barrett, Paris Township; and Chad Ellis, Prairie Township.

Josh Elsberry, Hunter Township, was also elected as a new member of the board.