Staake Graduates from Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow Program
April 5, 2023
Written by Cynthia Staake, State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and Farm Management Coordinator. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Staake pictured front row, fourth from left.
It was an honor to be selected for the 2023 Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program through the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). We began the eight-week program on January 24 in Jacksonville with an overview of the program, introductions from the other participants in the program, as well as learning about etiquette and networking.
Over the course of the next eight-weeks, we met in Springfield, Jacksonville, and Bloomington-Normal, as well as via zoom. Three of these were overnight sessions. Some of the topics presented included Issue Management, IFB Policy, and the Activator Program. We had a Climate Specialist talk about changes to the climate, and we received updates on some of the wind, solar and pipeline projects happening in Illinois. We also had speakers from Country Financial, Growmark, and Prairie Farms.
Government Affairs Leadership Conference:
One of the highlights was attending the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference (GALC) which was held in Springfield. We were provided with updates on some of the current issues in agriculture, including the US, China, and Mexico trade issues. After the conference, we attended the statewide Legislative Reception where I met Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, Senator Jill Tracy, and our adopted legislator, Representative Terra Costa Howard. The following day, we learned about the history and structure of local government from Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government, as well as local engagement with Ryan Whitehouse, Associate Director of Local Government and Political Engagement. Christina Nourie provided more information regarding the Adopt-A-Legislator program which was new to me but I found to be very interesting. This program helps to educate our urban legislators about agriculture. When I met Representative Terra Costa Howard the evening prior, I knew very little about the program, but the great relationship she has with our Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau Manager and President was immediately apparent. After learning more about the program, I see how valuable it is to connect our urban legislators to downstate Illinois. I encourage you to read more about this program at https://www.ilfb.org/resources/ifb-in-action/ifbs-adopt-a-legislator-program-helping-bridge-urban-rural-divide/. We finished out the day by visiting the capital and speaking with State Senator Doris Turner, as well as Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer.
Great Topics in Bloomington-Normal:
The final two days of the program were held in Bloomington-Normal. We kicked off this session with a discussion with President of Illinois Farm Bureau, Rich Guebert, Jr. Adriene DeSutter, a behavioral health consultant and agriculture wellness advocate, spoke with us about the agriculture’s mental health crisis. Farmers have high rates of stress, depression, and suicide. They work long hours and are often isolated. Adrienne taught us some of the red flags that we should look for in our loved ones that might go beyond the norm and how to approach anyone we feel might be struggling.
Nancy Sylvester, a Certified Professional Parliamentarian, presented on Board Governance and Robert Rules, and we received a livestock update from Tasha Bunting, the Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock for the Farm Bureau. We then had dinner with the Illinois Farm Bureau Board and the Governmental Affairs Committee staff before heading over to the Normal Town Hall where we gave our group presentations which we had been preparing for over the prior several weeks. The 17 participants in the ALOT program were divided into four groups. We were each given a scenario that we had to present at a mock town board meeting. We were hammered with difficult questions from the members of IFB who were acting as city council members. We were then provided feedback. It was a great learning experience.
Alyson Van Hooser presented on our final day with “Taking Ownership of Leadership.” If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak, I highly recommend. She has an incredible personal story which nearly brought tears to my eyes. She taught us that by sharing our stories with others, we may make connections we would not have otherwise made. We concluded the day with our graduation ceremony where we were presented with certificates. It was a bittersweet moment – on one hand, life was going back to “normal,” but I knew I would miss the truly amazing people that I had the opportunity to grow and connect with over the prior eight weeks.
Applying what I learned:
Overall, this was an incredible learning experience. This program showed me how important it is for us to step up and be a voice for agriculture in our communities. It taught me the characteristics of great leaders and how to strive to become someone others look up to and want to follow. It added value to my professional life, as well as my personal life, and I made some valuable connections with other professionals in the ag industry. I learned how approachable our legislators are and that they truly want to hear from us.
The 2024 ALOT program will be in Southern Illinois and any Farm Bureau member can apply, regardless of age. This program does change locations in the state each year so it will come back to our area again.