J. Robert Lentz Farm Bureau Manager bob@montgomerycountyfb.com	Viola West Secretary Book Keeper Membership Secretary info@montgomerycountyfb.com	Peggy Young Part Time Secretary
Lester Hamlin Audubon Township	Ed Murphy Bois D'Arc Township	Roy Niemeyer Vice President Butler Grove Township Email Roy
Allen Kasten East Fork Township	Brian Knodle Fillmore & South Fillmore Townships	Tracy Dressle Secretary Grishman Township
Jim Weitekamp Treasurer Harvel Township Email Jim	Gary Wemple Hillsboro Township	Larry King Irving Township
Mike Helgen North Litchfield Township	Jim Niemann South Litchfield Township	Robert Chausse Nokomis Township
Harlan Brown Pitman Township	Lyndell Wernsing Raymond Township	Kenny Folkerts Rountree Township
Brian Niemann President Walshville Township Email Brian	Evan Young Witt Township	Carl Marten Zanesville Township

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Young Farmers

Jason Anderson - President

217-532-9975

Email: treefarm@consolidated.net

District 14 Young Leader Representative

Adam Anderson

217-532-6744

Email: ahanderson@consolidated.net

Activities include:

Discussion Meet

Agri-Quiz

FFA Acquaintance Day

Education

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MCFB Foundation

The Montgomery County Farm Bureau Foundation offers several

scholarships to members or dependents of members who wish

to pursue higher education in an agricultural related field.  Last year

the board gave out 6 $1,000 scholarships. 

Activities include:

Scholarships

Education

Programs

Trips

Click here to download a scholarship application.

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"AITC"

Activities Include:

Classroom Education

Trap Shoot

Bike Ride

Golf

Illinois Ag In The Classroom Web Site

National Ag In The Classroom Web Site

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Prime Timers

Prime Timers is open to Farm Bureau members who are 55 years of

age or older!

The Prime Time travelers group is getting larger, thanks to all those

who are participating and encouraging others to join. Fun and

fellowship are the prime objectives of the group, so don’t be left out. If

you are a current Farm Bureau member you are eligible to attend all

functions.


The Montgomery County Farm Bureau Prime Timers have planned

several trips for the summer, fall and winter. Go to our "Calendar" link

above to see a list of dates. If you would like further information about

any of the trips, please call or e-mail us. 

Alfred Hand - Chairperson

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A Brief History of Montgomery County Farm Bureau

by James Hilt

On January 22, 1918, a group of leading farmers in Montgomery County held a meeting to consider organizing a Farm Bureau. This had been under discussion for some time. At this meeting they elected the first Board of Directors. Mr. H.A. Cress was elected the first President.

They rented an office room in the Yoffie Building in Hillsboro, and took steps to employ a Farm Adviser and signed a contract with Alden Snyder. Snyder was a graduate of University of Illinois with a degree in agriculture. By April, 1918, they had 328 members, and were holding many meetings. Before the end of the year, they had helped organize for farmers' grain elevators, and were teaching the members how to grow sweet clover and prepare the land to grow alfalfa. The member were encouraged to grow soybeans, and within five years Montgomery County and four adjoining counties were growing 25 percent of all the soybeans grown in the world.

Farm Bureau was also testing soil and treating stored wheat and oats to eliminate weevil. They organized Swine Growers Clubs, Calf Clubs, 4-H Clubs, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Montgomery County had considerable rolling land, and they soon started trying to keep the good soil from washing away, and acted on soil conservation practices.

During the summer of 1919, the Board of Directors decided to join with the Illinois Agriculture Association and the American Farm Bureau. In 1926, the Farm Service or Farm Supply Company was organized, and this has grown into a large organization today, which employs many people and provides many services to the farmers. In 1927, Country Mutual Insurance Company was organized.

In 1928, the Farm Bureau had outgrown their office space in the Yoffie Building and purchased a lot at the corner of Berry and Water Streets in Hillsboro. The new building was completed and in use before the depression struck.

In 1935 the Farm Bureau again found itself in a squeeze for space as it was growing by leaps and bounds. They purchased a building at their present location, and along with their affiliated companies, moved into the new building.

In 1948, the Farm Bureau Building was enlarged and completely remodeled. In 1951, a disastrous fire completely destroyed the south potion of the Farm Bureau Building and damaged the north potion of the Building extensively. Work was started on rebuilding almost immediately.

Everyone of our past presidents have done a marvelous job and certainly deserve much credit for giving of their time and efforts for such a worthy cause.The Montgomery County Farm Bureau has been highly successful and has consistently worked for the betterment of its members, which today numbers over 3000 members.

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Historical Listing of Montgomery County Farm Bureau Managers

Past Presidents