CHICAGO — The Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) Young Leader Committee has elected its 2025 executive committee members.
The executive committee members are Chair Stephen Riskedal of LaSalle County; Vice Chair Carolyn Brummel of Kane County; Achievement Subcommittee Chair Garrett Williams of Richland County; Governmental Affairs and Commodities Subcommittee Chair Michael Bernhard of Kendall-Grundy County; Education and Recruitment Subcommittee Chair Nathan Ring of Cass-Morgan County. They will assume their positions immediately.
Riskedal is one of three generations of Riskedal men including his dad and grandpa, who share farming resources with two other families of farmers as a team known as J & R Original Agriculture. The families know each other from church and have been long-time friends. He also has a custom cover planting business and is looking at other opportunities to help progress his dream of expanding farming operations.
With his farm’s location near Chicago, Riskedal has a lot of interaction with rural and urban people. He enjoys sharing his love and knowledge of agriculture, whether it’s through an Adopt-A-Legislator or providing a ride-along opportunities for reporters to better understand agriculture.
In his home district, he hopes to organize an ag-industry tour this summer.
For his new state role, Riskedal is weighing ideas as he sets goals. While some leaders come into a role with a specific vision for the platform, he is coming into his lead role as state Young Leader chair with an open mind, ready to set his goals as he listens and learns.
Members of the IFB Young Leaders are 18- to 35-year-old men and women who are passionate about agriculture. It is a member-created, member-driven program of the IFB that allows members to promote agriculture, attend conferences and compete in events, including the Young Leader Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and discussion meets. Giving back is also a priority for Young Leaders. Through their Harvest for All program, Young Leaders raise funds, donate food and contribute their time to help fight food insecurity throughout the state.
Former IFB Young Leader Chair Jenna Severs of Vermilion County in her farewell speech to the IFB Young Leaders on Dec. 9, reflected on why she joined IFB and is choosing to remain engaged in the organization.
“Growing up, I spent a lot of time at Sangamon County Farm Bureau. I remember many nights at that office with my dad listening to calls and meetings, watching as people came together with one clear mission: supporting agriculture,” said Severs. “Farm Bureau offers connections, political knowledge and influence, and involvement in my local community. This is what inspired me to get involved as an adult.
She added, “As an organization led by our farmer members, the conversations, the networking opportunities and the work that is done at the county level are the brace roots of Farm Bureau, holding up our policy and vision.”
–Sierra Henry, Illinois Farm Bureau
