Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Country Financial and Illinois Agricultural Association Centennials
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 15, 2026
1. Country Financial and Illinois Agricultural Association Centennials Marker
Country Financial traces its origins to the Illinois Agricultural Association (IAA), organized in 1916 and commonly known today as the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). As one of the nation's largest farm bureaus, IFB has advocated for farmers, strengthened rural communities, and fostered connections between agriculture and consumers. Recognizing the need for financial security in farming, IFB members established Country Financial in 1925 by creating the Farmers Mutual Reinsurance Company to protect farm families from the financial impacts of fire and storm damage. The organization expanded, offering auto insurance in 1927 and life insurance in 1929, to address additional financial vulnerabilities of rural families. As farming evolved throughout the progressive agricultural movement of the 20th century, IFB and Country grew together, broadening their insurance and financial services, innovating to provide a superior client experience, while continuing to advocate for agriculture. Today Country serves approximately one million clients in 19 states, while IFB continues to represent farming families. For more than a century, IFB
this page online
Erected 2025 by the McLean County Museum of History, Country Financial, Illinois Agricultural Association, and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 40° 29.906′ N, 88° 57.473′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McLean County. It can be reached from the intersection of Towanda Avenue and Jersey Avenue. Marker is located at the north side of the parking lot of the IAA building, off of Towanda Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 15, 2026
2. Country Financial and Illinois Agricultural Association Centennials Marker
Located at the north end of the parking lot off of Towanda Avenue
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Country Financial (here, next to this marker); IAA Credit Union (here, next to this marker); IAA Foundation (here, next to this marker); Growmark (here, next to this marker); Prairie Farms (here, next to this marker); Illinois Farm Bureau (here, next to this marker); Old Soldiers' Monument (approx. 1.2 miles away); Historic Camelback Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.
More about this marker. Marker was unveiled on October 22, 2025, with several in attendance (include the CEO of Country Financial).
Also see . . .
1. Country Financial (official website). (Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Illinois Farm Bureau (official website). (Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 15, 2026
3. Country Financial and Illinois Agricultural Association Centennials Marker
The Illinois Agricultural Association building (from the marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
