The 124th Annual Meeting of Lincoln County Farmers Mutual Insurance was held on March 15, 2025, at the Aspen Center in Innsbrook, MO. Held in a scenic venue with a 1960s theme, the event was nostalgic for some and full of curiosity for many who weren’t present for the days of peace and love, war and strife, rotary phones, and an era of music with no comparison. The event recognized the exceptional talents of its independent agents, the unwavering contributions of its vendor relations, the dedication of its Board of Directors, the commitment of its staff, and the resilience of its policyholders. The annual address was delivered by the Company Manager, Bobbette Tucker, and is shared here for those unable to attend.
It’s great to see everyone here for our 124th annual meeting. This year, our theme and presentation are a look back to the 60’s, the Then and Now.
I am certain that a few of you here today, remember that era well – some of you may have even had a Volkswagen Beetle, a Beatles haircut, the MOP TOP along with a closet full of tie-dye.
And for the few of us who weren’t around yet, you’ve all seen the photos.
The 60’s were more than just bell-bottoms and rock n roll. It was a time of change, of coming together and standing up for what mattered.
Across the country, people believed in working as a community to build a better future – whether it was through civil rights, space exploration or local business growing and thriving.
And that same spirit – that belief in people coming together to support one another, is exactly what a mutual insurance company is all about.
Today, we take you on a journey. We’ll look back at the values of the 60’s, what they meant here in Missouri, and how they still guide us today as we build a stronger, more connected mutual insurance provider.
The Spirit of Mutual Aid Then and Now
Back in the 60’s, Missouri was growing. Our towns were bustling, our farms were thriving, and businesses – many of them small, locally owned businesses – were the heart of our communities.
One thing that was true then and is still true today is that when times get tough, we don’t wait around for someone else to solve our problems. We take care of each other.
That’s what mutual insurance was founded on – neighbors coming together to protect what matters most. Not some big, faceless corporation making decisions from a high-rise in a city far away. But people – just like you – who understand the value of hard work, honesty, and trust.
A mutual insurance company isn’t just any company. It’s your company. It exists to serve you – the policyholders, the community members, the neighbors who look out for each other. That was true when our company started, it was true in the 1960’s, and it’s still true today.
But here’s the challenge: How do we keep that spirit alive?
A Time of Change and Resilience
The 60’s were a time of massive change. The world was moving faster – new technology, new ideas, new challenges. Sound familiar?
Think about it:
- The space race was happening – people were dreaming big, taking risks, reaching for something greater.
- Missouri’s highways were expanding – connecting communities, making it easier for business to grow.
- Farmers were adapting to new equipment and practices, working smarter not harder to protect their land for future generations.
According to information from Green Magazine, a small John Deere combine in 1965, like the JD 50, would have cost around $5,100.
Today, the price of a John Deere combine can range from $550,000 to over $950,000, depending on the model and features.
In every corner of life, people had a choice: resist change – or embrace it, adapt, and thrive.
And that’s exactly where we stand today in the world of mutual insurance.
We live in a time of fast changes – climate shifts, new risks, digital everything. People shop for insurance differently today than they did 60 years ago.
They want convenience, they want security, and they want to know they can count on their provider when it matters most.
That’s why we, as a mutual insurance company, must keep evolving while staying true to what made us strong in the first place: trust, community, and the commitment to protecting our neighbors.
All You Need Is Love and Protection
Now, we couldn’t talk about the 60’s without mentioning a little music. The Beatles dominated the charts and spurred on the British Invasion that characterized music of the decade.
The Beatles, sang, “All You Need Is Love” And while love is great, I think we can all agree that you also need security, peace of mind, and a good insurance policy!
But the deeper message of that song – the idea that when we stand together, we are stronger – is exactly why a mutual insurance company is different.
You see, in a mutual insurance company, we are not just in this for a profit. We are in this to serve. We are in this to make sure that when disaster strikes, people aren’t left alone to pick up the pieces. We are in this because we believe in each other.
And that’s something a big corporate insurance company just doesn’t offer. They are answering to shareholders. We are answering to you, our policyholders.
The Future – Keeping the Spirit Alive
So, how do we take this 1960’s spirit of innovation, resilience, and community ownership and carry it forward?
First, we must stay engaged.
- A mutual company is only as strong as its members. That means staying informed, giving input, and making sure our voice shapes the future.
Second, we must embrace smart change.
- As farmers in the 60’s had to learn new equipment, we must adapt to modern risks, digital tools, and new ways to serve our policyholders while staying true to our values.
Third, we must spread the word.
- There is something special about a company that truly belongs to the people it serves. But not everyone knows this! When people think about insurance, they think about the big guys. It’s up to us to remind them that there is a better way – a community focused way.
I’ll leave you with one more 1960’s hit – The Beatles also sang “Come Together”. And that’s exactly what we are here to do.
A mutual insurance company thrives when we stand together, when we look out for each other, and when we work as a community. That is the spirit of the 60’s the spirit of Missouri, and the spirit of our future.
Thank you all for being here today, for being part of something bigger than just an insurance policy, and for believing in the power of community.
Together, we will keep building a stronger, more secure future – just like we always have.
