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Ronald R. Warfield
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Award
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Ron Warfield commands a unique perspective of the agriculture industry. After obtaining his University of Illinois degrees in agricultural economics (B.S. ’65, M.S. ’67), his global interests were quickly confirmed by his acceptance as an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate with the National 4-H Foundation. Following this experience, he returned home to the family farming operation to manage their 675 acres and 500 head of cattle. The Prairie Farmer named Warfield a 1992 Master Farmer. He is also a private consultant and AgriVisor analyst and speaker. In the early 1990s, Warfield became frustrated with the direction and leadership of the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), motivating him to seek the presidency. Farm Bureau members sensed his sincerity and vision for Illinois agriculture and elected him IFB president in December 1993. As the current president, he has brought together farm, commodity, and agribusiness groups to create a dialogue and identify common interests and concerns. He started the Illinois Agriculture Roundtable to ensure that Springfield and Washington, D.C., policy makers hear the same message from all sectors of Illinois agriculture. Warfield has always believed that the University of Illinois and the land-grant college system were important partners to American agriculture. While a member of the College of ACES Alumni Association Board of Directors, he brought the C-FAR (Council on Food and Agricultural Research) initiative to them. Warfield was highly instrumental in creating the vision of C-FAR, and he has been actively involved in obtaining additional funding for agricultural research at the university. In addition to Warfield’s valuable contributions and service to the agricultural community, he has dedicated his life to serving others, starting as an officer in the U.S. Army-Air Defense Korea. Just a few of his other civic and professional activities include secretary, Gibson Fire Protection District; president, Gibson City School Board; advisory committee, Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety; Ag Policy 2000 Committee; Junior Achievement adviser; Sunday school teacher; and president, Gibson City Council of Churches. He is also a member of the Illinois and National Corn Growers, the Illinois Soybean Association, the National Cattlemen’s Association, and the Illinois Beef Association. |
