Women in Agriculture

Brooke lived an entire lifetime filled with global adventures, Mad-Men style advertising jobs, launching a new business, and a love story fit for a made-for-tv movie. And then, on July 22, 2019, that big, bold life simply became the prequel. Life handed Brooke a pivot by way of a breast cancer diagnosis six hours before she welcomed her baby into the world. While this season felt like unwillingly being drafted into war, Brooke marched into the fire and owned the narrative. As a tenured brand strategist and communicator, Brooke began keeping some of the words for herself. First, as therapy. And then, as breadcrumbs for those who will come after her. Despite a complete pathological response to chemo and being declared cancer-free, in 2022, it returned for an act two.

In the wake of her second cancer diagnosis, Brooke launched The Rural Gone Urban Foundation to support brave, strong women who need people in their corner. The B and C students are seeking scholarships. The small-town moms whose businesses only exist as ideas. And especially the women in the ring with cancer. Today, Brooke lives in the light at the end of the tunnel with a handful of “clear” scans in her rear view. She inspires anyone who is ready through her wit, humor, and real reel. Her life is mix of her career as a brand strategist with clients in the ag sector and 1:1 coaching client, leading the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, and making memories with her family.

A double alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU), Karen Leavitt Stallman earned her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Agriculture Education with a minor in Animal Science.

She worked 20 years with University of Illinois Extension in Randolph County, including a decade as unit leader and earlier as youth development extension adviser. Stallman then served as the Director of the Sustainability Initiative and Vice Provost of the Red Bud Campus at Southwestern Illinois College for 9 years. Stallman served as Director of Continuing Education and Outreach Director and then Director of Community Relations at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for 6 years.

Today Stallman is the Agriculture Resource Specialist for the Farm Family Resource Initiative managed by SIU School of Medicine's Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development.

She and her husband farm in Randolph County where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and beef cattle on a farm that has been in the family since the 1850s.

Laura Fidler works at the family owned and operated Fairview Sale Barn, as with any family-owned business her daily job duties range from financial analysts to janitor and everything in between. Laura has a heart and foundation for agriculture and ag leadership. Laura currently serves as the first woman chairman of the Mid-American National Bank holding company, member of the National Livestock Marketing Association, government and industrial affairs committee and co-founder of empowHerU, an organization focusing on strengthening leadership skill, building confidence and expanding business networks.

Rodney Knittel serves the Illinois Farm Bureau as Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure. Rodney is responsible for analyzing and disseminating information and coordinating organizational involvement in transportation and infrastructure related issues. He also assumes the role of providing transportation regulation outreach and educational programming for farmers.

Prior to joining Illinois Farm Bureau, Rodney was a compliance and safety manager for a biosolid application company and spent seventeen years as a high school agriculture and welding instructor. He attended Joliet Junior College and Illinois State University where he earned his Bachelor in Agricultural Education.

Rodney and his family live in rural McLean County where they raise Southdown and Dorset sheep.