Guebert Re-Elected Illinois Farm Bureau President

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Published on December 7 2021 1:29 pm
Last Updated on December 8 2021 5:33 am

BY TIMOTHY EGGERT, FARMWEEK

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 Annual Meeting, IFB staff and his family. 

"Without their support, I couldn't do this job," Guebert said. 

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."

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 parament 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.