URBANA, Ill. — Every farm has an individual story to tell, and it is up to the generations of farmers living it to tell the tale. In 2026, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau are partnering on a series to help farmers and landowners build, sustain, and share their farm’s legacy.
Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy events will feature critical and practical updates for farmers on the current agricultural environment, including succession planning, asset stewardship, Farm Bill, and market conditions.
“Meeting Illinois farmers where they are with today’s farming decisions will help guide, strengthen, support, and most importantly, hear their stories through their life experiences,” says Travis Burke, assistant dean and program leader for agriculture and agribusiness at Illinois Extension.
These new, informative meetings are designed specifically for Illinois farmland owners and agricultural stakeholders to network and gain support networks by connecting with Illinois Farm Bureau and Extension leaders. With three in-person locations and a simultaneous hybrid online option for each event, more Illinois landowners can be reached.
- March 2, Champaign, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center
- June 30, Sycamore, DeKalb County Farm Bureau
- Aug. 25, Mt. Vernon, DoubleTree Hotel
The cost is $20 per location with lunch included. For those who cannot attend in person, a hybrid online option will be available. Each event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CPDUs and CEUs are available to those who qualify. Registration is required at go.illinois.edu/FarmLegacy.
“It is essential for both Extension and Farm Bureau's legacies to be a trusted source for Illinois farmers, landowners, and stakeholders to turn to when making decisions about their farms, for both today and the future,” says Burke.
For questions or if you will need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Reagen Tibbs at rgtibbs@illinois.edu or 217-732-8289. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Source: Rachel Curry, agriculture and agribusiness educator, Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, Illinois Extension
Writer: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.