Three new members were elected to the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors at the organization's annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 6-9.

Earl H. Williams, Jr. of Cherry Valley, Steven Stallman of Chester, and Kenton Thomas of Cairo were all elected to two-year terms.

Williams was elected to represent District 2, which encompasses Boone, Carroll, JoDaviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. Williams and his wife, Arlene, operate a corn and soybean farm.

Three Members Elected to Illinois Farm Bureau Board

Williams served as the Winnebago-Boone County Farm Bureau President and graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program in 1984. Williams also served as president and vice president of the Illinois Soybean Association and is a member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biologic Engineers and of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

Williams is a member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford, Ill. He and his wife have three children, Emily, Megan and Lauren. 

Stallman was elected to a two-year term representing District 16 which encompasses Clinton, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties. Stallman and his wife, Jane, operate a corn, soybean and wheat farm and have a small herd of beef cattle.

Stallman served as the Randolph County Farm Bureau President, and has served in all other county Farm Bureau offices as well. Stallman also has served as president of the Illinois Wheat Association and is a member of the Illinois Corn Growers and Soybean Associations. 

Stallman is a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, Ill. He and his wife have two children, Wesley and Lindsey.

Thomas will represent District 18, which encompasses Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson counties. Thomas and his wife, Paula, operate a corn, soybean and wheat farm.

Thomas is currently serving as the Pulaski-Alexander County Farm Bureau President and also served as the Pulaski-Alexander County Farm Bureau Vice President.

Thomas also served on the Pulaski-Alexander Facilities Board and Lein Small Levy District. He is a member of the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Agricultural Association Political Leadership Cabinet and DTN Farmer Advisory Board. He is a member of the Cornerstone Church Board and he and his wife have two children, Adam and Ivan.

Young Leader Committee
The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee elected its 2014-2015 committee members during the IFB Annual Meeting.

The committee members are Chair Matt Rush of Wayne County, Vice Chair Matthew Starr of Hancock County, Secretary Jenny Hackman of Mason County, Achievement Sub-Committee Chair Daniel Gvillo of Madison County, Education and Recruitment Sub-Committee Chair Jim Hopkins of Kendall County and Governmental Affairs and Commodities Sub-Committee Chair Keith Mellert of Fulton County.

Members of the IFB Young Leaders are 18-35 year-old men and women who are passionate about farming. It is a member-created, member-driven program of the IFB that allows members to promote agriculture and compete in events, including the Young Leader achievement award, excellence in agriculture award, discussion meets, quiz bowl, membership contest, county chair award and young leader video contest.

Source: Illinois Farm Bureau