The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has kicked the Illinois Farm Bureau out of the federation effective December 20, 2024, in a dispute over member dues.
The Illinois organization has responded by challenging the move in circuit court. A letter from AFBF President Zippy Duvall to state farm bureau presidents said the action comes after a failed mediation session on Monday (Nov. 11, 2o24). The move is in retaliation for a decision by the Illinois Farm Bureau’s affiliate, Country Financial, to drop a Farm Bureau membership eligibility requirement for non-farm insurance policy holders in Illinois.
The Illinois Farm Bureau and Country Financial have the same individuals on both boards of directors, though they have different fiduciary duties. WGLT reports there are three other states where Country does business where farm clients are required to be members of their state farm bureau, but none except Illinois where non-farm clients had to buy a farm bureau membership as well.
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