The American Farm Bureau Federation has delayed its expulsion of the Illinois Farm Bureau until pending litigation is settled.

IFB was notified late on Dec. 11 that the AFBF board of directors amended its resolution, according to a press release from IFB. Instead of expelling IFB on Dec. 20, AFBF will now end IFB’s membership 30 days following the conclusion of the pending litigation. IFB had filed a motion for preliminary injunction on Nov. 21 to allow the organization to continue as a member until a court rules on the lawsuit.

IFB President Brian Duncan is happy with the decision.

“On the eve of depositions, with our team in Chicago preparing to defend our farmer-members, organization and county Farm Bureaus, we are pleased AFBF’s decision gives us the same outcome as the injunctive relief we were seeking,” Duncan says.

AFBF believes its decision was reasonable, based on pending litigation.

“Although the AFBF board is confident its termination of IFB’s membership will be upheld in court, postponing IFB’s termination is a reasonable way to minimize harm until the litigation is resolved,” says Joby Young, AFBF executive vice president. “The postponement means Illinois Farm Bureau members will be able to participate in the AFBF 2025 convention and annual delegate meeting.”

In September, IFB allowed its affiliate Country Financial to eliminate Farm Bureau membership requirements for nonfarm insurance policyholders. That decision led to escalating conflict with AFBF, a failed mediation on Nov. 11, expulsion from the organization on Nov. 12, and an IFB lawsuit against AFBF on Nov. 13.

The series of events has sharply divided the members of Illinois’ largest farmer organization, many of whom believe they should’ve had a voice in the membership decision. At the IFB Annual Meeting in Chicago earlier this week, a group of farmers fought to remove the president and vice president over allegations that they ignored grassroots members. The action failed, but it’s uncertain by how much; IFB declined to release the vote count.

Young says the decision to delay expulsion doesn’t change AFBF’s position in any way.

“The AFBF board has not changed in its determination that the changes in Illinois harm Illinois farmers, Illinois county Farm Bureaus and the entire federation, or that the actions violate the obligations of Illinois Farm Bureau under the AFBF Membership Agreement and Bylaws,” he says. “Our board is committed to protecting the credibility and integrity of Farm Bureau as a farmer-controlled membership organization dedicated to farmers and ranchers.”

Duncan remains confident in IFB’s legal strategy, referencing a 1990 membership agreement between the two organizations. According to IFB, that agreement says it can’t be penalized for an action by its affiliate companies, and the agreement allows IFB to use the Farm Bureau mark.