President’s Column April 2026

Someone asked me the other day how much longer I would be writing this article,
meaning how long will you be the president? I’m not sure what he was getting at…. is he
tired of what’s in this space and ready for a fresh look (understandable)? Did he think I was
wasting his time and got nothing from it (maybe/probably)? Or was he asking how long
till you step down and turn it over to someone else? We had officer elections at our annual
meeting recently, so you will all have to put up with me in this spot for 9 more issues (not
that anyone is counting or anything). Then he says “so, what’s next? You need time to do
some fishing and golfing right?” I don’t fish or golf. “You gonna go on a vacation for a
few weeks or something” No….that would drive me nuts. “Well, watcha gonna do with
all that “free time”. Interesting observation. I knew when I stepped in here to take my turn
that I didn’t have any spare time. It’s amazing how I’ve managed to “find that time” and I
imagine I’ll continue to “find the time”. It’s funny how that works. At a recent meeting I
sat with a former IFB vice president, and he said to me “you know the people who don’t
have time for these positions are often the ones who are needed the most and make the
best board members and volunteers”. We are getting ready to have a strategic planning
meeting of our board in a few days. The board tenure, terms and such are bound to come
up. I’m sure there are some of you who have been asked to serve, and you think you don’t
have the time. I am that guy. But when push comes to shove, the people who are vested in
the production of ag are the people who have to find the time. This is your livelihood and
there are becoming less and less of us out here. I’ve said it before in this column, please
consider stepping up and speaking up if asked.
Last month I noted that winter was almost behind us, and surely by time of this publi
cation I can say that with confidence. But today, we had a high of 68 degrees and tomorrow
the low is supposed to be 15, so I’m confident that as you read this the planters are ready.
Seed stacked and ready to drop. I’m currently unloading seed boxes and chemicals. It’s
almost time for another season that will have its challenges and, in some way, or another
be unlike any other that we have ever seen. At Illinois Farm Bureau, your legislative teams
will continue to press for the new farm bill which actually has a real chance of becoming
put into law as well as keeping you informed of what might be the next action call. At the
county office, summer programs and events are being developed and planned. It’s always
a busy time.
I’d be remiss to say take care of yourselves and those around you this planting season.
Safety and caution start with you. I was talking to a landlord today about the last time I
pulled an “all nighter” planting, and that happened to be in 2019, when it happened twice.
It’s a miracle that nothing got wrapped up in anything else that year, and the more I think
about it the more I can’t believe I was capable of pulling off 2 of those in the same week.
If you have to do something like that (it happens) let’s be realistic about what is safe and
reasonable. Take care of yourselves. Many depend on you.
Doug Downs
CCFB President