Steve and Linda Foglesong are the owners of Black Gold Ranch and feedlot with locations in Illinois and Georgia. With the help of their children, grandchildren and a few loyal hard working employees who have become like family, they operate a cow-calf, stocker, feedlot, and replacement heifer development program. Steve attended the University of Illinois where he received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.
Steve is active in many agricultural organizations. He is a member and past president of the Illinois Beef Association, and was 2010- 2011 NCBA president. He was appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by the Secretary of Agriculture and also served on the Beef Check-off Working Group.
He has held other positions within NCBA including Membership and Association Services Committee Chairman, Region III Vice President, New Marketing Initiatives Committee member, Chairman of the NCBA Political Action Committee, and member of the Blue Ribbon Commission. While serving in these roles, Steve provided strategic direction for resource development to achieve the goals and objectives of the industry’s Long Range Plan. He also helped guide the coordination between NCBA, state affiliates, beef councils and other industry organizations.
Steve, and his wife, Linda, have raised four children, Nate (Hannah), Drew (Rebecca), Cole and Kaitlin (Kurt). In his spare time, he continues to work on enhancing the wildlife habitat on the ranch and participates in local groups such as his county cattlemen’s association and Extension.
