Rob Asbell’s family has farmed in Peoria County since the late 1800s, and today he runs a 5,000-acre grain farm known for its strong work ethic and commitment to the future of agriculture. With no livestock, his days vary—from cleaning grain bins to mowing waterways, planting, spraying, and harvesting. In a typical year, Rob plants 2,600 acres of soybeans in about two weeks and harvests the entire farm in roughly eight weeks.
Rob believes farming is about more than just the work—it’s about legacy. “Without legacy, a farm means nothing,” he says. That belief led him to serve on the Peoria County Farm Bureau board, Brimfield zoning board, and run for the Growmark board. He first joined Farm Bureau when Danny Maher stepped down as Millbrook Township representative.
He’s passionate about telling agriculture’s story honestly. “People don’t know what farmers really do,” Rob notes, citing misconceptions fueled by the media. He also wants to see more support for smaller farms, which lack access to the large equipment of bigger operations.
For young people entering agriculture, Rob stresses business skills over mechanics. He credits an Accounting 101 class at ICC for helping him understand the financial side of farming and encourages students to take accounting, business, shop, and basic life-skills courses. “Mechanics are only 2% of farming. Accounting and business are far more important,” he explains.
Looking ahead, Rob sees technology changing many industries but believes agriculture is secure. “Farmers still have to plant, harvest, and drive semis. Ag will always need human workers,” he says.
If he weren’t farming, Rob jokes he’d be a BBQ chef with a food truck. But his heart is firmly in agriculture. “Farming is my number one job; everything else comes second.”
About The Farmer Spotlight:
The Farmer Spotlight is an initiative to highlight the stories and educational efforts of local farmers. Through interviews and feature articles, we’ll showcase the knowledge, passion, and daily work that define agriculture in Peoria County.
The goal is to connect the community with the people behind the food to promote the educational side of farming through school involvement, on-farm learning, or simply sharing day-to-day experiences.
We’re looking for candidates to participate in this program. To be eligible, you must be a Peoria County Farm Bureau member. If you’re interested in sharing your story and helping others understand agriculture, we’d love to hear from you!