Illinois State Fair Recap 2022

RIBEYE CORRAL CONNECTS ILLINOIS CONSUMERS & BEEF PRODUCERS

Ribeye Corral volunteers included Illinois Beef Association members and employees from other commodity groups in the state. Ribeye Corral Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Pech.

The Ribeye Corral brisket sandwich. Ribeye Corral Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Pech; IBA staff Olivia Hoots, Josh St. Peters and Annie Schoetmer.

Local Beef Cooked at ISF Chopped Competition

Chopped participants preparing their beef entries for the competition. A beef dish prepared on the grill for judges to select their favorite.

Beef It's What's for Dinner Sponsors ISF Chili Cookoff

IBA Members Serve Beef Samples to Consumers in the Heart of ISF

Visitors of the fair try steak made by University of Illinois meat judging coach, Brandon Klehm.

Univeristy of Illinois’ meat judging coach, Brandon Klehm, puts on a cooking demonstration with team of students.

Illinois Beef Leadership Academy Class of 2023 Connects with IBA & NCBA Members

NCBA Operating Committee Member, Al Lyman, chats with leadership academy participant Adam Harms and IBA members Jamie and Justin Martz during the Illinois Beef Leadership Academy Social.

IBA Leaders Participate in Media Interviews

IBA President, Dr. Paul Walker, and Vice President, Dave Duzan, took part in discussing the current cattle market with Rhiannon Branch of Brownfield Ag News.

State Representative Chris Miller, Bill Graff, Congresswoman Mary Miller, State Senator Darren Bailey. IBA Farm Family of the Year, the Willrett Family, recognized during Ag Day Program.

IBA Policy Chair, Shannon Welsh, enojoying the Ag Day breakfast. IBA Executive Board and Farm Family of the year took part in Ag Day comradery. IBA was represented at farmer leader events such as the one pictured here with IBA Policy Director Shannon Welsh, IBA Members Dan and Betty Haynes, IBA Membership and Communications Manager Devin Bollman, IBA Vice President Dave Duzan, IBA Member Services Coordinator Olivia Hoots and IBA President Dr. Paul Walker. Also pictured are state representative and IBA member Charlie Meier and farmer leaders.

Illinois Beef Association was pleased to be represented by both executive committee members and staff at the Ag Day breakfast.

One hundred and five young cattlemen and women gathered at the Illinois State Fair for the annual meeting of the Illinois Junior Beef Association. During the meeting, IJBA members heard from Chris Utegg regarding the upcoming World Beef Expo in February of 2023. Junior Director, Lauren Wolter, led the juniors in an engaging icebreaker where they utilized listening and speed to compete in the ‘cup game’. IJBA membership made some updates to the association’s bylaws, allowing for a second at-large director position on the junior board. The junior board recognized outgoing junior directors, Garrett Rhode of Carlock and Cody Knodle of Fillmore, and then went on to elect new board members, including Grace Brown of Flanagan, Audrey Curtin of Blue Mound and Dellana Muck of Caledonia.

Kyle Eathington Avon, Ill. Son of Kevin and Patricia Eathington Freshman at University of Illinois – Animal Science

Tyler Lee Durand, Ill. Son of Scott and Casey Lee Freshman at Lakeland College – Ag Transfer

District 3

Adam Miller Gridley, Ill. Son of Alan and Theresa Miller Senior at El Paso Gridley High School

At Large

Dellana Muck Caledonia, Ill. Daughter of Dale and Suzette Muck Freshman at South Dakota State University - Agronomy Lauren Wolter Aviston, Ill. Daughter of Bradley and Kimberly Wolter Senior at Breese Central High School

Audrey Curtin Blue Mound, Ill. Daughter of TJ and Megan Curtin Junior at Taylorville High School Paige Lemenager Hudson, Ill. Daughter of Luke and Stacy Lemenager Freshman at Lakeland College – Ag Transfer

Grace Brown Flanagan, Ill. Daughter of Jim and Christine Brown Freshman at Joliet Junior College – Ag Transfer

District 4

Grace Arnold Clinton, Ill. Daughter of Sam and Katy Arnold Junior at Oklahoma State University – Animal Science

Paige Van Dyke Louisville, Ill. Daughter of Jon and Katrina Van Dyke Junior at Oklahoma State University – Ag Communications with a minor in Special Education

PRESIDENT Grace Arnold, Clinton Vice President Paige Lemenager, Hudson Secretary Paige Van Dyke, Louisville Beef/Show Promotions Chair Lauren Wolter, Aviston