Once again this year the Bureau County Farm Bureau, Bureau County Pork Producers Association and the Bureau County Cattleman's Association are sponsoring the Agricultural Service Award. The purpose for this award, is to provide an opportunity for Bureau County agricultural organizations and businesses to honor individuals who have given exemplary leadership and service to agriculture and farmers in Bureau County and beyond.

Over 200 women convened at the iWireless Center on Friday, March 23rd for the 1st annual Women in Agriculture Conference coordinated by local county Farm Bureaus. Michele Payn-Knoper fired up the room with two presentations that each urged the ladies to speak up on behalf of agriculture as well as embracing their agricultural legacy. Breakout sessions included topics on working with congress, farm finances and tax law, marketing commodities, connecting with consumers and creating safe play areas on the farm.

The Bureau County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee has wrapped up its farm labor pool application period. This listing for Bureau County residents interested in full or part time agricultural related labor is has now been compiled. The list is now available at the Farm Bureau Office in Princeton, and will be accessible to anyone who needs farm help.

The Farm Bureau or the Young Leaders Committee do not intend this listing to be an endorsement of any persons and will not be responsible for any actions of workers.

Illinois Farm Bureau's (IFB) 2012 GrassRoots Issue Teams (GRITs) gathered for their first meeting in January to discuss current challenges and issues facing IFB members and to make recommendations for consideration by the Resolutions Committee regarding current IFB policy.

The eight teams of volunteer Farm Bureau leaders from across the state will meet throughout early 2012 and study emerging issues and new educational opportunities/programs, representing a vital cog in IFB's grassroots process.

Bureau County Farm Bureau along with COUNTRY Financial Crop Insurance, Central Bank, 1st Farm Credit Services, North Central Bank and Spring Valley City Bank hosted the 2012 Agribusiness seminar at Wise Guys in Princeton on February 24th. Almost 100 farmers and agribusinessmen attended the informational seminar.

 

 

A big thank you to the Women's Committee for their contribution to the 2011 IAA Foundation Silent Auction held during the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Their donation, a baby quilt valued at over $150.00, helped in the successful outcome of the project which raised $40,000 for Illinois Ag in the Classroom. Funds generated will be used to teach Illinois school children about the importance of agriculture. A special thank you to Rheta Schallhorn for piecing together the front of the quilt and to Rita Dabler for putting the final touches on the quilt.

Bureau County Farm Bureau President Bill Naffziger accepts a recognition plaque awarded to the Bureau for its achievements during 2011. The award was presented during the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and calls attention to the comprehensive nature of county Farm Bureau programs.

If you are a Voting member of the Bureau County Farm Bureau and are looking for a way to become more involved in your community please consider serving on the board of directors for the Bureau County Farm Bureau. Currently we have positions open in the following districts:

The Bureau County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee is sponsoring a farm labor pool listing for Bureau County residents. The committee is compiling a list of people who are looking for agricultural related work. The list will then be available at the Farm Bureau Office in Princeton, and will be accessible to anyone who needs farm help.