New Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert took an active role in the policy development session at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting this week in San Antonio.

“I’ve always enjoyed policy and being a part of Illinois Farm Bureau and the policy making decisions,” said Guebert, who was elected to replace Phillip Nelson as president of the organization last year. “We have a tremendous grassroots organization and it’s always been a pleasure to be a part of that process and carry what is important to Illinois farmers to the American Farm Bureau.”

Guebert says one of the big issues for Illinois farmers is ethanol and maintaining a strong Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). “Midwest farmers have worked so hard and so long to get those standards where they are today,” he said. “It’s just difficult for us to understand why we’re being forced to rollback those standards.”

Farm Bureau delegates voted to reaffirm “their support for the renewable fuels standard and approved a policy supporting renewable fuels tax incentives for the production of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol and installation of blender pumps” – proposals put forth by Illinois Farm Bureau.

Other big issues for Illinois at the AFBF meeting were ag data and dairy policy.

You can hear all of Chuck’s interview with Richard here: Interview with Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert 2014 AFBF Convention Photos