West Central Reporter

Representative Randy Frese recently addressed a legal dispute involving the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in a Facebook post dated November 15. "The [IFB] has filed a lawsuit against the American Farm Bureau Federation after the organization's AFBF membership was terminated," he said.

"The Illinois Farm Bureau has filed a lawsuit against the American Farm Bureau Federation after the organization's AFBF membership was terminated," said Randy E. Frese, State Representative, according to Facebook.

According to Frese's post, which included a link to a Pork Business article from November 14, the IFB's membership in the AFBF is set to end on December 20, 2024. The IFB has initiated legal action in McLean County, arguing that this termination "violates a 1990 settlement agreement between the two organizations which allegedly allowed IFB to continue using the name ‘Illinois Farm Bureau.’"

Screenshot of Stae Rep. Randy Frese's Nov. 15 Facebook post | State Representative Randy Frese's Facebook page

Brian Duncan, President of the IFB, expressed that they do not wish to sever ties with the AFBF. The termination follows Country Financial's decision—an affiliate of the Illinois Farm Bureau—to remove the requirement for non-farm insurance policyholders in Illinois to hold a Farm Bureau membership. This decision was announced by Country Financial in September.

In a news release issued by the IFB on November 13, Duncan said: "We believe AFBF is choosing to abandon our more than 70,000 Illinois farmer members because our affiliate insurance company does not want to force non-farmers to join. We believe AFBF is choosing to put our farms, our families and our communities at risk at a time when we need support through federal policy. In short, we believe AFBF has chosen to break its promises to Illinois farmers. We have no desire to leave AFBF and we will fight to stay."

Frese serves as State Representative for Illinois' 99th District. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Sciences/Agriculture from Western Illinois University and has worked as both a sales representative for White Farm Equipment and an industrial minerals salesman before establishing his own businesses in Adams County. Additionally, Frese and his wife are members of the Adams County Farm Bureau and he has served on several boards including those for Adams County Fair and Quincy Catholic Charities.