CHICAGO, Ill. (WAND)- The Illinois Farm Bureau is holding its annual meeting this weekend amid a dispute with the American Farm Bureau Federation over a decision by IFB affiliate COUNTRY Financial to cease requiring non-farm insurance customers to have farm bureau memberships.
In November, the AFBF board voted to terminate IFB's membership in the national organization over COUNTRY's decision to no longer require farm bureau memberships.
At a Saturday afternoon news conference, IFB President Brian Duncan characterized AFBF's move as demonstrating a preference for quantity of members over quality of member engagement.
"By making this choice, AFBF is abandoning 70,000+ farmers over a decision that will ultimately benefit Illinois Farm Bureau, county farm bureaus and Illinois farmers," Duncan said. "We believe we are taking steps to effectively grow our organization. Our plans are not only in numbers but both in value and influence of our farmer members."
COUNTRY Financials' decision came in response to several factors, including rising insurance costs and feedback from customers, according to court documents in a lawsuit filed by IFB in McLean County court. That lawsuit seeks to block AFBF's termination of IFB's membership.
During his remarks Saturday, Duncan pledged to fight to remain in AFBF while also touting the strengths of the Illinois organization.
"We want to be a part of AFBF. There is a value to that national voice," Duncan said. "Illinois is very strong, with strong national representation."
Following their decision to terminate IFB's membership, AFBF argued in a statement to WAND that COUNTRY's decision was made without input from farmers.
"The AFBF board's decision to end the membership of Illinois Farm Bureau in the Federation follows weeks of intensive efforts to meet with their leadership, which concluded with formal mediation. Unfortunately, it did not resolve the dispute," wrote Executive Vice President Joby Young. "If a future resolution is found to the dispute between Illinois and the rest of the federation, we would welcome a reunion."
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