Illinois Farm Bureau president Rich Guebert has spent the last 10 years representing Illinois farmers on a state, national, and global stage.
Throughout his term, he’s met with two sitting Presidents, two Secretaries of Agriculture, and the Speaker of the U.S. House. “I’m going to be forever grateful that I can tell agriculture’s story to those folks with influence,” he says. “And drive policy, that’s not only important to our members here in Illinois, but farmers and ranchers all across the United States.”
He tells Brownfield the organization has changed a lot in his time as vice president and over the 10 years he’s served as president. But the transformation isn’t finished. “We need to have the foresight to provide an opportunity for new leaders, young leaders, to take our place and make change,” he says. “Change is inevitable. It’s how we grasp it, embrace it, and use it to get to where we need to be.”
When asked what he is going to miss the most about his leadership role. “I’m going to miss the people,” he says. “I’m not going to miss the issues. I’m going to miss the people.”
Guebert, who farms with his family in southwest Illinois says he plans to return to the farm and work on an “as desired” basis.
