The Illinois Beef Leadership Academy (BLA) helps to identify, develop, and encourage the next generation of leaders within the Illinois cattle industry. BLA is a year-long program that utilizes industry tours, educational sessions, and team-building activities to develop leadership capabilities and industry knowledge. Throughout the year-long program, participants create a vast network of industry contacts and build a skillset that serves them on and off the farm. Highlights from past Beef Leadership Academy cohorts can be found below!
Qualifications for application to the Beef Leadership Academy include:
- Illinois beef producer 22-40 years old.
- Paid Illinois Beef Association membership by the start of the program.
- Commitment to prioritizing four (4) in-person events throughout the year.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Beef Leadership Academy class are now open!
"Beef Leadership Academy has given me the opportunity to network with the next generation of cattlemen and women, both professionally and socially. Knowing that we are all going to face the same challenges that 21st-century beef production has to offer, it is a good feeling to be able to expand my network within the Illinois cattle industry. "
-Trevor Maiers, Inaugural Beef Leadership Academy Class
A Year in Progress (2024-2025)
Keep up with the third cohort of the BLA as they navigate the year-long program!
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Participants kicked off Pillar I with a stop at ADM North American Headquarters in Decatur. The group participated in a leadership development training session and later toured the ADM complex. The experience was supplemented with a trip to Head Bros. Land & Cattle in Blue Mound. Participants received a farm tour and learned about their lucrative recipient cow business model. Things wrapped up with sage advice from Malcolm and Susan Head on the importance of being involved and taking on leadership roles.
RELEVANT MESSAGING AND ADVOCACY
Pillar II fine-tuned participants' advocacy skills with facilitated training provided by the Masters of Beef Advocacy team, a branch of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. With actionable tools and advocacy resources, the BLA Class then visited IBA President Dave Duzan's backgrounding operation. While in Lexington, the class discussed the Duzan Agency, a livestock export insurance firm, and toured the backgrounding facilities. Receiving, processing, facility, and general animal husbandry practices were discussed on the farm.
Leadership in action
While the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate were in session, BLA participants capitalized on the opportunity to advocate and network on behalf of beef. Legislative sessions included discussions with Illinois Beef Association lobbyists, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Doris Turner, and countless other legislators and state agency staff. Outside of group networking opportunities, each participant met individually with their respective Senator and/or Representative to discuss legislative priorities, general beef industry concerns, and much more!
The business of beef
Coming May 2025!
Beef leadership academy, class III
Jason Bedwell
Medora, Illinois
Joe & Maddie (Hanson) Buckley
Gilman, Illinois
Cody Hadden
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jake Hlas
Blandinsville, Illinois
Andres Olalde
Sterling, Illinois
Blake Rinkenberger
Minier, Illinois
Bailey Rogers
Armington, Illinois
Ben & Sara Trygar
Jerseyville, Illinois
Rebecca Walker
Altamont, Illinois
Blake Webel
Champaign, Illinois
Beef Leadership Academy Archive
Reminisce on the sights and opportunities experienced by the past cohorts of BLA:
Personal Leadership Development
Participants completed the "Taking Flight" personality assessment, which shed light on their strengths, communication styles, and motivations. Members also got to tour Clear Creek Farms 2, Inc., one of the state's premier recipient cow operations and experienced Lorenzen Farms fall production sale.
Relevant Messaging & Advocacy
The Beef Leadership Academy took a deep dive into advocacy for the beef industry through effective personal storytelling. The Illinois Soybean Association hosted members for a panel discussion and office tour, and they wrapped up at IBA President, Dave Duzan's cattle backgrounding operation.
The Business of Beef
The group spent time in Chicago learning about the McDonald's beef business. Participants met with the beef procurement group, supply chain leads, and got to tour one of McDonald's five patty suppliers. Participants also toured Larson Farms, a custom feeding operation, with past IBA President Mike Martz and his wife Lynn.
Leadership in action
The second Beef Leadership Academy cohort wrapped up their year in Springfield at the state capitol. Participants discovered the relationship between IBA, IDOA, and IDNR in educational sessions and networking opportunities. Then they got a look into the legislative work IBA does, and each met with their respective Senator and Representative in personal meetings.
Personal Leadership Development
Participants dove into personal motivators, communication styles, and much more in their first immersive experience. Members also got to tour J. Willrett Farms, one of the state's premier cattle-feeding operations.
Relevant Messaging & Advocacy
If you don't tell your story, someone else will is a popular phrase amongst agriculturalists. In their second immersive experience, participants learned the power of telling their story, how to effectively communicate their story, and then put their practice to work!
The Business of beef
Members dove into the business side of the Illinois cattle industry in session three. Hearing from a Farm Credit Illinois representative, and the owner/operator of Raber Packing Co., Peoria, IL, participants dove into the ins and outs of good business, and how to apply that to their operation.
Leadership in action
Participants concluded their year-long program in the Capitol. Two days were spent in Springfield, where members met with their Representatives and Senators. Participants also learned about the work that the IBA does within the policy realm on behalf of cattlemen and women.