The IFB was founded in 1916 by a group of farmers who met at the University of Illinois to discuss the need for agricultural education, better information for farmers, and more effective farming practices. Modernly, the IFB represents two out of three Illinois farmers.
In 1916, a group of farmers gathered at the University of Illinois to address the need for agricultural education, improved farmer knowledge, and enhanced farming techniques. Today, the IFB serves as a representative body for two-thirds of Illinois's farmers.