content: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  
  CURRENT REPORT
  
  	Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
  
  December 18, 1997
  
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  FBL Financial Group, Inc.  
  
  
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  
  (Commission File Number)
  
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
  Iowa
  
  1-11917
  
  42-1411715
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (Address of Principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)
  
  5400 University Avenue
  West Des Moines, Iowa					50266
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  
  (515) 225-5400
  
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)    N/A
  
  
  
  
  Item 5.  Other Events.
  
   	On December 18, 1997, FBL Financial Group, Inc. (the 
  "Company") announced the formation of an alliance with Berthel 
  Fisher & Company, a privately held financial services firm, for 
  the marketing and administration of variable annuity and variable 
  universal life insurance products to be sold by its broker-dealer 
  subsidiary, Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. 
  Also announced was an $8,000,000 cash investment in Berthel 
  Fisher by the Company.  The press release announcing these 
  matters is included as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.
  
  SIGNATURES
  
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 
  of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed 
  on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
  FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
  (Registrant)
  
  Date: December 23, 1997
  
  
  By:   /s/ James W. Noyce
  James W. Noyce, Chief Financial Officer
  
  
  
  EXHIBITS TO FORM 8-K
  
           99.1	Press Release dated December 18, 1997
                   
  
  EXHIBIT 99.1
  
  
   
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1997
  
  
  FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY ANNOUNCE 
  MARKETING AGREEMENT; INVESTMENT IN BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY
  
  West Des Moines, Iowa - FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) and 
  Berthel Fisher & Company today announced a planned marketing 
  arrangement whereby FBL Financial Group will underwrite and 
  administer variable universal life insurance and variable annuity 
  products for sale by Berthel Fisher & Company.  Also announced is 
  a planned investment by FBL Financial Group in Berthel Fisher & 
  Company.
  
  The companies will enter into a marketing agreement under which 
  Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned 
  broker/dealer subsidiary of Berthel Fisher & Company, will sell 
  variable life insurance and variable annuity products for FBL 
  Financial Group on a non-exclusive basis.  The variable products to 
  be marketed through Berthel Fisher will be sold by a second tier 
  life insurance subsidiary of FBL Financial Group.
  
  FBL Financial Group will register the variable products with the 
  Securities and Exchange Commission.  FBL Financial Group's existing 
  administrative and financial systems and personnel will be utilized 
  to process the new variable business.  It is anticipated variable 
  products will be marketed through Berthel Fisher & Company no later 
  than June 1998.
  
  Berthel Fisher & Company, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is 
  privately held and operates a full-service broker/dealer, 
  investment banking firm and leasing company.  Berthel Fisher has 
  approximately 140 full-time registered representatives that are 
  licensed to sell variable life insurance, variable annuity and 
  other investment products throughout the Midwest.  Sales of 
  variable and other investment products by Berthel Fisher totaled 
  $20,000,000 and $275,000,000, respectively, during the eleven month 
  period ended November 30, 1997.
  
  Tom Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of FBL Financial Group stated, 
  "Distribution of insurance products through alternative channels is 
  an important part of our strategic plan to grow top line revenues 
  and increase the volume of business over which we spread our fixed 
  costs.  FBL has the system resources and personnel to expand its 
  business and the arrangement with Berthel Fisher helps utilize some 
  of this capacity."
  
  
  Gibson added, "FBL remains committed to its traditional Farm Bureau 
  customer base and its dedicated Farm Bureau agency force.  
  Expanding business through alternative distribution systems will 
  make FBL more efficient which, in turn, benefits all constituents."
  
  In connection with the planned marketing arrangement, FBL Financial 
  Group will acquire 5,000,000 shares of Berthel Fisher & Company's 
  6 percent convertible redeemable cumulative preferred stock for 
  $5,000,000.  In addition, FBL Financial Group will acquire a 20 
  percent interest in the common stock of Berthel Fisher & Company 
  Financial Services, Inc. for $2,000,000 and $1,000,000 of 
  convertible debentures issued by Berthel Fisher & Company Financial 
  Services, Inc.  With these investments, FBL Financial Group will 
  name two members each to the Board of Directors of Berthel Fisher 
  & Company and Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc.
  
  Proceeds from the issuance of common stock and subordinated 
  debentures will be used by Berthel Fisher for expansion and 
  development of its sales force and other corporate purposes.  This 
  expansion is expected to be obtained through increased recruiting 
  efforts and acquisitions.  Proceeds from the issuance of the 
  convertible preferred stock will be used for repayment of 
  indebtedness, recapitalization and other corporate purposes.  
  
  The statements in this release concerning the outlook on FBL 
  Financial Group's growth opportunities and potential for 
  profitability are forward-looking statements that involve certain 
  risks and uncertainties, including the acceptance of current and 
  future products by customers and agents, and the success of 
  marketing efforts.  These forward-looking statements are based on 
  assumptions which FBL Financial Group believe to be reasonable.  No 
  assurance can be given that the assumptions will prove to be 
  correct, and the difference between assumptions and actual results 
  could be material. 
  
  FBL Financial Group is a holding company whose primary operating
  subsidiaries include Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Western 
  Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Utah Farm Bureau Insurance 
  Company.  It currently underwrites, markets and distributes life 
  insurance, annuities, property-casualty insurance and mutual funds 
  to individuals and small businesses in 15 Midwestern and Western 
  states, including approximately 700,000 Farm Bureau member 
  families, through an exclusive agency force.
  
  
  ###
  
  Page 1
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FBL FINANCIAL GROUP INC", "cik": "0001012771", "assigned-sic": "6311", "irs-number": "421411715", "state-of-incorporation": "IA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-11917", "film-number": "97742984"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5400 UNIVERSITY AVE", "city": "WEST DES MOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50266", "phone": "5152255400"}}
text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  
  CURRENT REPORT
  
  	Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
  
  December 18, 1997
  
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  FBL Financial Group, Inc.  
  
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  
  (Commission File Number)
  
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
  Iowa
  
  1-11917
  
  42-1411715
  
  (Address of Principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)
  
  5400 University Avenue
  West Des Moines, Iowa					50266
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  
  (515) 225-5400
  
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)    N/A
  
  Item 5.  Other Events.
  
   	On December 18, 1997, FBL Financial Group, Inc. (the 
  "Company") announced the formation of an alliance with Berthel 
  Fisher & Company, a privately held financial services firm, for 
  the marketing and administration of variable annuity and variable 
  universal life insurance products to be sold by its broker-dealer 
  subsidiary, Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. 
  Also announced was an $8,000,000 cash investment in Berthel 
  Fisher by the Company.  The press release announcing these 
  matters is included as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.
  
  SIGNATURES
  
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 
  of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed 
  on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
  FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
  (Registrant)
  
  Date: December 23, 1997
  
  By:   /s/ James W. Noyce
  James W. Noyce, Chief Financial Officer
  
  EXHIBITS TO FORM 8-K
  
           99.1	Press Release dated December 18, 1997
                   
  
  EXHIBIT 99.1
  
   
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1997
  
  FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY ANNOUNCE 
  MARKETING AGREEMENT; INVESTMENT IN BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY
  
  West Des Moines, Iowa - FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) and 
  Berthel Fisher & Company today announced a planned marketing 
  arrangement whereby FBL Financial Group will underwrite and 
  administer variable universal life insurance and variable annuity 
  products for sale by Berthel Fisher & Company.  Also announced is 
  a planned investment by FBL Financial Group in Berthel Fisher & 
  Company.
  
  The companies will enter into a marketing agreement under which 
  Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned 
  broker/dealer subsidiary of Berthel Fisher & Company, will sell 
  variable life insurance and variable annuity products for FBL 
  Financial Group on a non-exclusive basis.  The variable products to 
  be marketed through Berthel Fisher will be sold by a second tier 
  life insurance subsidiary of FBL Financial Group.
  
  FBL Financial Group will register the variable products with the 
  Securities and Exchange Commission.  FBL Financial Group's existing 
  administrative and financial systems and personnel will be utilized 
  to process the new variable business.  It is anticipated variable 
  products will be marketed through Berthel Fisher & Company no later 
  than June 1998.
  
  Berthel Fisher & Company, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is 
  privately held and operates a full-service broker/dealer, 
  investment banking firm and leasing company.  Berthel Fisher has 
  approximately 140 full-time registered representatives that are 
  licensed to sell variable life insurance, variable annuity and 
  other investment products throughout the Midwest.  Sales of 
  variable and other investment products by Berthel Fisher totaled 
  $20,000,000 and $275,000,000, respectively, during the eleven month 
  period ended November 30, 1997.
  
  Tom Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of FBL Financial Group stated, 
  "Distribution of insurance products through alternative channels is 
  an important part of our strategic plan to grow top line revenues 
  and increase the volume of business over which we spread our fixed 
  costs.  FBL has the system resources and personnel to expand its 
  business and the arrangement with Berthel Fisher helps utilize some 
  of this capacity."
  
  Gibson added, "FBL remains committed to its traditional Farm Bureau 
  customer base and its dedicated Farm Bureau agency force.  
  Expanding business through alternative distribution systems will 
  make FBL more efficient which, in turn, benefits all constituents."
  
  In connection with the planned marketing arrangement, FBL Financial 
  Group will acquire 5,000,000 shares of Berthel Fisher & Company's 
  6 percent convertible redeemable cumulative preferred stock for 
  $5,000,000.  In addition, FBL Financial Group will acquire a 20 
  percent interest in the common stock of Berthel Fisher & Company 
  Financial Services, Inc. for $2,000,000 and $1,000,000 of 
  convertible debentures issued by Berthel Fisher & Company Financial 
  Services, Inc.  With these investments, FBL Financial Group will 
  name two members each to the Board of Directors of Berthel Fisher 
  & Company and Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc.
  
  Proceeds from the issuance of common stock and subordinated 
  debentures will be used by Berthel Fisher for expansion and 
  development of its sales force and other corporate purposes.  This 
  expansion is expected to be obtained through increased recruiting 
  efforts and acquisitions.  Proceeds from the issuance of the 
  convertible preferred stock will be used for repayment of 
  indebtedness, recapitalization and other corporate purposes.  
  
  The statements in this release concerning the outlook on FBL 
  Financial Group's growth opportunities and potential for 
  profitability are forward-looking statements that involve certain 
  risks and uncertainties, including the acceptance of current and 
  future products by customers and agents, and the success of 
  marketing efforts.  These forward-looking statements are based on 
  assumptions which FBL Financial Group believe to be reasonable.  No 
  assurance can be given that the assumptions will prove to be 
  correct, and the difference between assumptions and actual results 
  could be material. 
  
  FBL Financial Group is a holding company whose primary operating
  subsidiaries include Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Western 
  Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Utah Farm Bureau Insurance 
  Company.  It currently underwrites, markets and distributes life 
  insurance, annuities, property-casualty insurance and mutual funds 
  to individuals and small businesses in 15 Midwestern and Western 
  states, including approximately 700,000 Farm Bureau member 
  families, through an exclusive agency force.
  
  ###
  
  Page 1