McLEAN, Ill. — Jean Stubblefield passed away two years ago, but she still recently helped put a big smile on the faces of the folks who oversee the Illinois Farm Bureau’s IAA Foundation.

 

That’s because the foundation, led by Director Susan Moore, officially took over the reins of the Stubblefield family farm in northern Illinois and will continue the operation for the benefit of future ag students, teachers and the industry overall.

 

“It was a pretty big week for us,” Moore said. “This was a very pleasant surprise for us because we didn’t know in advance that (Stubblefield) was going to gift the farm to us until after she passed away.”

It is the first working farm to be donated to the IAA Foundation, which has a mission to build interest in agriculture through student advancement. Moore said the foundation is aware of six more farms in the state that are committed to be gifted to the IAA at later dates, so the Stubblefield farm in McLean County is the first the foundation will oversee.

 

The gift was set up for the foundation to maintain as a working grain and livestock farm, and the proceeds each year will go toward a variety of purposes, including scholarships, ag education and shelter care for animals.

Some IAA board members toured the farm July 27 and came away impressed with what they saw.

They visited with Roger Shifflet, who has been the tenant farmer there for the past 18 years.

“We’re all struck with the rich history and commitment Jean had to her family’s multigenerational farm,” said David Erickson, Bureau vice president. “We’ll reinvest in the farm as need be to continue the legacy of Jean Stubblefield here on the farm and make it a good, working farm into the future. We’re certainly grateful of the opportunity … provided for us.”

Stubblefield’s parents, James and Maude Rhodes Roberts, purchased the farm when Stubblefield was five years old. She died at the age of 96, and was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse,

in 1977. The 231-acre farm includes 164 tillable acres and about 37 acres of pasture. In addition to growing corn, soybeans and wheat, Shifflet also raises beef cattle and sheep.

Moore placed the value of the gift at about $2 million, and she said the foundation after expenses hopes to realize a minimum of about $30,000 per year that will go to various causes. The first contribution from farm proceeds will go to support the McLean County Fair Sale of Champions later this month, with money going for youth showing of cattle and sheep – two of Stubblefield’s favorites.

“We wanted to recognize her in McLean County right away, where she grew up,” Moore said. “We are a farm-first organization. I think that will really lead all our decisions, not only on this farm, but with future farm gifts.”