Welcome to the Illinois Bankers Association

Ag Banking

August 20-21, 2025

8/21 10:00am - 8/22 12:00pm

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. 

We are currently working on the details for the next Ag Banking Conference. To get an idea of what to expect, check out the previous details below!

2024 Agenda

Agenda

Subject to Change

	Wednesday, August 21, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Registration & Refreshments
10:30 a.m.	Welcome & Introductions Emcee, Sarah Michaels, Agriculture Reporter, WEEK Channel 25, Peoria, Illinois
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, 2024
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.	PANEL: Farm Bill 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, University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences • Brad Zwilling, VP of Data Analysis, 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