The Chicago Farmers

Don’t miss our annual meeting on May 11!

We will get an overview of trends in renewable energy development projects and how they influence agricultural land use from Bill Bodine, director of business and regulatory affairs for . He will also highlight economic and policy factors behind the growth of wind, solar and other renewable energy projects. Plus, we will vote on the board slate for the coming year.

Register and join us at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 11: https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=150&ts=1773771017

The landscape of energy is shifting toward renewable sources. But wind, solar and other renewable energy projects need space. What does that mean for farmland owners? Bill Bodine, director of business and regulatory affairs for , will share current trends and considerations at our next luncheon.

Plan to join us for his insights and our annual meeting, Monday, May 11, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=150&ts=1773771017

The landscape of energy is shifting toward renewable sources. But wind, solar and other renewable energy projects need space. What does that mean for farmland owners? Bill Bodine, director of business and regulatory affairs for Illinois Farm Bureau, will share current trends and considerations at our next luncheon.

Plan to join us for his insights and our annual meeting, Monday, May 11, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=150&ts=1773771017

A big thanks to , a gold-level sponsor for ! With this support, we deliver high-quality, informative programs and tours for the Chicagoland agribusiness community. We value your partnership!

Jim Ferguson currently serves on the board of directors for . He graduated from Illinois State University and followed a career in law enforcement with a second career in farmland real estate.

Jim is committed to The Chicago Farmers because it is a welcoming community of landowners, farmers, industry professionals and people who share a genuine interest in agriculture. He describes the events throughout the year as fun, informative, and a great way to meet like-minded people with a common passion for stewardship and learning.

Our annual farmland values discussion, held during our April luncheon, featured insights from Ray Brownfield, a designated managing broker for Peoples Company. He explained shifts in land values based on land productivity, along with expectations for 2026. Learn more, and get details for our annual meeting in May: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450575855493283840

Don’t miss our annual farmland values discussion! Get a recap of drivers behind the 2025 market and a practical outlook for 2026 from Ray Brownfield, a designated managing broker for PeoplesCompany.

Register and join us at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago at 11:30 a.m., Monday, April 13: https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=149&ts=1773413057

Landowners, buyers and investors need to understand shifts and emerging trends in farmland values. Our annual luncheon focused on farmland values will be held on Monday, April 13.

Ray Brownfield, a designated managing broker for PeoplesCompany, will recap the key drivers behind the market in 2025 and offer his practical outlook for 2026. He will highlight expectations, uncertainties and more.

Join us at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago on at 11:30:
https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=149&ts=1773413057

On , we recognize the unwavering dedication of American farmers, ranchers, and producers who provide the food and resources that sustain our communities. USDA is committed to putting farmers FIRST by supporting their vital work, always ❤️🇺🇸🧑‍🌾

Farmland values shifted notably last year. What drove that market? What is the outlook for this year? Join us for our annual farmland values luncheon for insight from Ray Brownfield, a designated managing broker for PeoplesCompany.

Register to attend at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago on Monday, April 13, at 11:30:
https://chicagofarmers.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=149&ts=1773413057

The Chicago Farmers mourn the passing of our dear friend and longtime ally, Orion Samuelson, whose legendary voice and steadfast advocacy for agriculture shaped generations of farm families across the Midwest. For more than six decades behind the microphone in Chicago, Orion used his unmistakable baritone not merely to report markets and weather, but to tell the story of farmers with accuracy, respect, and heart. He bridged the distance between city and countryside, helping urban listeners understand the work, risks, and rewards of farming, and giving rural communities a trusted companion at dawn, at noon, and late into the night.

Orion’s life journey—from a Wisconsin dairy farm to becoming one of America’s most recognized agricultural broadcasters—reflected the very values we hold most dear: hard work, integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the land and the people who care for it. He never forgot his roots, and he carried those roots with him into boardrooms, fairgrounds, capitols, and studios, always speaking up on behalf of farmers and rural youth.

Beyond the airwaves, Orion invested his time and influence in organizations that develop agricultural leaders and support young people, including 4-H and leadership foundations that continue to strengthen our industry today. He understood that the future of agriculture depended on equipping the next generation with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of purpose, and he gave generously of himself to that mission.

We at the Chicago Farmers will remember Orion for his professionalism, his booming laughter, his meticulous attention to facts, and his genuine kindness to everyone he met, from first-year farmers to national leaders. His legacy will live on in the countless farmers who trusted his reports, the students he inspired, and the many lives he touched with a steady voice and a steady heart.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Orion’s family and all who loved him, and we give thanks for a life so fully dedicated to service. In honoring his memory, we renew our own commitment to telling agriculture’s story with the same honesty, clarity, and respect that Orion Samuelson exemplified every day of his remarkable career.