Brian Basting is a commodity research analyst with Advanced Trading in Bloomington, IL. Basting received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from U of I. For the last ten years, he has returned to the College of ACES to speak with students about his career path as a market analyst. Basting was a ten-year member of the Silverleaf Let’s Go Ag 4-H club in McLean County. He held several positions in the club, including president, and he was the club representative in the 4-H Federation at the county level. Basting won many awards for his sheep at the county fair, including Grand Champion Ram and the Sheep Showmanship Contest.
Basting’s involvement with 4-H continues today. He has served on the 4-H Expansion and Review Committee, he is a member of the McLean County 4-H Timeless Clovers Alumni Association, he is a county 4-H Show volunteer and a mentor to 4-H teens in TILT, McLean County’s teen leadership group. He has served as one of the McLean County 4-H Royalty superintendents for 14 years. To get exposure for the 4-H program, Basting has driven the reigning McLean County 4-H queen and king in parades for a number of years.
In addition, Basting has served on the County Extension Foundation Board, the County Unit Extension Council and the McLean County Extension Referendum Committee. He has been engaged on the regional and state levels in Extension, serving on the Regional Extension Council and the Extension State Advisory Committee, where he recently served as state chairman. He has been a spokesperson through budget challenges on the local and state levels, and has traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent Extension at national conferences and meet with representatives and senators on behalf of Extension.
Basting credits his 4-H leaders, Gordon and Roberta Ropp, for his own continued involvement in 4-H and Extension. “Gordon and Roberta were exceptional role models, and they instilled a desire in me to give back to the program,” said Basting. “4-H is a way for youth to make lifetime friends, learn life skills and develop leadership ability. The program was such a big part of my life, I enjoy giving back as much as I can.”