Education & Events

Ag lending requires highly specialized lending skills and an understanding of the unique markets available to farmers in Illinois. As in all other industries, ag banking is constantly changing. Ag lenders need to stay current on the latest issues in agricultural markets, economics, and risk management. The Ag Banking Conference addresses these and other important issues to increase your knowledge and improve your ability to serve ag customers. Event Website 

Wednesday, August 21

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.      Registration and Refreshments

10:30 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.    Welcome and Introductions
                                             Emcee, Sarah Michaels, Agriculture Reporter, WEEK Channel 25, Peoria

10:40 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.    Ordinary to Extraordinary: The Little Difference that Brings Success 
                                             Andrew McCrea, Keynote Speaker, Oscar-Winning TV & Radio Broadcaster
    
11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.    The RFS, Renewable Diesel, SAF and the Future of Biofuels
                                             Scott Irwin, Professor, University of Illinois College of Agricultural & Consumer Economics
                                             Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing
    
12:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.      Networking Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.        Negotiating Solar & Wind Contracts for Illinois Landowners
                                            Andrew G. White, Bellatti, Barton, Cochran & White, LLC
    
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.        The Top 7 Things You Don’t Want to Hear 
                                            Joseph P. Chamley, Attorney, Partner at Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.        High Impact Meteorology – Changes in Predictive Science
                                            Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions
        
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.        Networking Reception

Thursday, August 22

7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.        Breakfast Buffet

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.        The Complexity of Crop Insurance Decision-Making
                                            Dave Janson, President/Owner, Strategic Farm Marketing

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.      Farm Bill Panel Discussion
                                            Ed Elfmann, SVP, Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association
                                            Ben Jackson, EVP, Government Relations, Illinois Bankers Association
                                            Dave Janson, President/Owner, Strategic Farm Marketing

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.    Illinois Farm Income and Financial Position Update
                                            Nicholas Paulson, Professor, UofI College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences 
                                            Brad Zwilling, VP of Data, Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM)

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.    Credit Decisions in Uncomfortable Economic Times 
                                            Dr. David Kohl Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Agriculture & Applied Economics, Virginia Tech

Venue/Accommodations
Crowne Plaza Springfield 
3000 South Dirksen Parkway
Room Rate $120 plus tax | Good thru August 13 
Online Reservations 
Phone: 217-529-7777 (Group Code R9J) 

Fee Per Person 
(In-Person or Live-Streamed) 
Member $345
Non-Member $495
Special Registration Offer: Register three, and get the fourth FREE!

Presentation Material Options 
Presentation files will be available to attendees free of charge on the IBA website.  
Purchase a binder for $35 (Available for In-Person only)