The Illinois Farm Bureau recently celebrated the graduation of 25 members from its Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program. The leadership development initiative, which began in 1979, equips participants with skills in communication, political processes, agricultural economics, and global issues through over 80 hours of classroom training led by experts.
The 2025 graduating class represented 15 counties and included full-time farmers, part-time farmers, and professionals from agriculture-related industries. The program aims to empower its members to advocate for Illinois agriculture and lead within their communities.
Graduates came from diverse agricultural backgrounds, including row crop farming, livestock operations, agronomy, agribusiness, and more. Participants cited the program as instrumental in fostering leadership and strengthening connections within the agricultural sector.
For more information about ALOT and its impact, visit the Illinois Farm Bureau website.
From left to right back: John Grant, McLean County; Kinsey Hall, Knox County; Alyssa Nelson, Carroll County; Tim Marten, Montgomery County; Austin Anderson, Henry County; Matt Englehart, Lee County; Jay Long, Lee County; Shane Asher, Henry County; Brandon Heiman, Lee County; Center: Ashlyn Quinn, Warren-Henderson County; Paige Durham, Madison County; Kayla Biegel, Cook County; Bridget Bedeker, Grundy County; Madison Schultz, Kankakee County; Ashleigh Erbes, Lee County; British Griffis, Cook County; Kacie Kaufman, McLean County; Malena Cook, Bureau County; Matt Wagenecht, Whiteside County; Front: Hannah McKee, McHenry County; Ellen Day, Bureau County; Katrina Milton, Cook County; Jenna Meurer, Lee County; Addison Hopkins, Lee County; Kristen Ewing, Schuyler County.
