FJF Names Heather Hampton-Knodle to Board of Directors
- Whitney McFerron
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Washington, D.C. (Nov. 24, 2025) – Farm Journal Foundation is pleased to announce that agricultural industry leader and Illinois farmer Heather Hampton-Knodle is joining its board of directors.
Hampton-Knodle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a long-time member of Farm Journal Foundation’s Farmer Ambassador program and a veteran industry and community leader. She has held numerous leadership positions in agriculture, including serving as the immediate past president of American Agri-Women, the nation’s largest coalition of women in farming, ranching, and agribusiness, and working on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) nationwide Precision Agriculture Task Force. She farms in south-central Illinois with her three sons, where they produce corn, soybeans, wheat, and Angus cattle.
“As a Farmer Ambassador, Heather has become part of the Farm Journal Foundation family, so we are thrilled by this next step of having her join our board,” said Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal. “We are continually impressed by her skills as a proven leader, strategic thinker, and expert on the issues facing our industry today, and we look forward to benefiting from her counsel as a member of our board.”
Hampton-Knodle is dedicated to developing rural economies through incentivizing investments in telecommunications, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. She is the founding chairman of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and serves on the board of the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority. She also served as founding chairman for the Montgomery CEO program from 2015 through 2023.
In addition, she serves on the AIFARMS Advisory Board at the University of Illinois, and has served as executive director for the Upper Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri Rivers Association. She was an elected member of the Montgomery County Board and is an appointee to the Illinois Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. She is also on the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Illinois Leadership Council, and Mississippi State’s Autonomy Institute Advisory Committee.
Hampton-Knodle is also a regular contributor to the North American Ag podcast, leads Starr Shooters 4-H club, and is a “Storyteller” at her community’s Vacation Bible School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture news/editorial from the University of Illinois and the equivalent of a minor in Russian language and area studies. Her course of study included an academic year in Nottingham, England, and a summer in Pushkin, Russia
Farm Journal Foundation is a farmer-centered nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to advance agricultural innovation, global food and nutrition security, conservation, and rural economic development. The Foundation works to educate consumers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders about modern agriculture and its contributions to American society.
“My motivation as a Farmer Ambassador has been self-sufficiency and security summed up in the proverb, ‘When there is food on the table, there is much to talk about. When there is no food on the table, there is one thing to talk about,’” Hampton-Knodle said. “To work alongside fellow leaders in U.S. agriculture with a goal to help our farmers and our communities thrive motivates me as I join the board.”
Hampton-Knodle joins a Board of Directors that includes Board Chairman Andy Weber, retired CEO of Farm Journal; Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences (CAENS) at Tuskegee University; Gregg Halverson, CEO of Black Gold Farms; Lyle Orwig, retired chairman and founding partner of C.O.nxt (Charleston|Orwig); Bob Trogele, CEO of Verdelis Investments, and Chris Seper, Executive Vice President of Farm Journal Brands.
Media Contact
Whitney McFerron, Vice President of Communications
Farm Journal Foundation
About Farm Journal Foundation
Farm Journal Foundation is a farmer-centered nonpartisan organization working to advance agricultural innovation, global food and nutrition security, conservation, and rural economic development. The Foundation believes in a future where agriculture works for everyone – supporting strong farmer livelihoods, business growth, consumer access to nutritious, affordable foods, and the preservation of our country’s natural resources. Achieving this vision starts with conversations – bringing all voices to the table to discuss industry challenges and how innovation can unlock solutions that serve us all. To learn more, visit www.farmjournalfoundation.org.