Birkey's Receives the Business Leadership Award from the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

Friday, November 7, 2025 – Birkey’s Farm Store has been awarded the Business Leadership Award by the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (RPC). This award, presented by Taylor Black and Dr. Justin Arnold, was provided on behalf of the East Central Illinois Workforce Board’s Chair, James Ayers, Governor Pritzker, and the Illinois Workforce Partnership.

Birkey’s was awarded this honor in recognition for their continued investment in their community and workforce, through their apprenticeships and community partnerships, to further develop the Champaign County public workforce systems. Birkey’s Farm Store provides several workforce development scholarship opportunities with many community colleges throughout the state of Illinois. Additionally, their CNH Service Technician Apprenticeship Program through Parkland College provides several students each year with 100% tuition coverage, tools of the trade, part-time summer work and more, in addition to employment upon completion of the program.

About Birkey’s

Birkey's Farm Store has served Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri for over 70 years with second-to-none product support. Headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, what was once a single-shop operation has grown to a network of 20 locations and 520+ employees in a 100% employee-owned organization. This continued investment in people, infrastructure, technology, and tooling has enabled Birkey's to become a leading dealer for Case IH Agriculture, Case Construction Equipment, and powersports equipment. For More information, visit www.birkeys.com.

Pictured (L to R): President/CEO Brady Foster, Education and Recruiting Specialist Travis McClure, Director of Human Resources Kimberly Heath, Champaign County RPC Program Manager Toriana Rhone, Champaign County RPC Business Services Coordinator Taylor Black