June is dairy month and I wanted to share a way for you to celebrate the dairy industry. A favorite Agriculture in the Classroom activity is to make your own butter. This is a great activity for summer. Enjoy the instructions and recipe below.

Shake it Up ~ Butter Making Recipe

               Ingredients

                              1 empty baby food jar or large size pimiento jar with tight fitting lid

                              Whipping cream

                              Good music

                              Smiling kids

Directions

1. Take 1 jar and fill ½ with whipping cream
2. Add several kids dancing and shaking with jars in hand
3. BINGO!!! Butter!
4. Add a little salt and spread on sandwich bread, biscuits, or crackers.
5. It’s delicious.

Leaders To Washington: Illinois Farm bureau is preparing for the 2026 Illinois Farm Bureau^® Leaders to Washington trips.  We are eager to assemble a terrific group of leaders to help lawmakers and regulators implement Farm Bureau policy in Washington D.C. 

When will the program be conducted?

• September 14-17, 2026

Who can participate in the trip?

Interested participants should be involved in their county Farm Bureau and desire to have an impact in the implementation of Farm Bureau policy into national legislation and federal regulations. Examples of potential candidates include active FB ACT members, past or current A LOT participants, CFB Board members or President, and members who are passionate about agriculture and comfortable engaging with elected officials. All applicants will be given equal consideration.  If you are interested in learning more or interested in applying to attend, please contact your county Farm Bureau office. Carroll County Farm Bureau 815-244-3001 or Stephenson County Farm Bureau 815-232-3186.

Carroll County Farm Bureau to host FREE Events at Carroll County Fair: Interested in getting your kids involved with our Carroll County Fair events? This year we have two options for you, and both events are FREE! On August 8^th, individuals may compete in our Ninja Farmer event starting at 11am in front of the Grandstand. Check-in begins at 10:30am. If you would like to partake in this event, dress for a mess as the games may be messy and/or wet. The event is timed, and prizes will be awarded in each age division, determined by the lowest overall completion time. Age brackets are as follows: ages 7-8 (Division 1), ages 9-10 (Division 2), ages 11-12 (Division 3), and ages 13-14 (Division 4). Didn’t win? Don’t fret! Every participant in Ninja Farmer will get free ice cream. Pre-registration is not required.  If Ninja Farmer doesn’t sound like a good fit, check out our Kiddie Tractor Pull! This event is also on August 8^th at the Hospitality Tent. Registration begins at 12:30pm, and the pull will follow at 1:00pm. This event is open to all boys and girls weighing from 10 to 80 pounds, and participants will be divided into three weight classes once all entries have been received. Trophies are awarded to the top three Pedal Pull participants who pull the longest distance in each of the categories.  All participants will receive free ice cream.  If you have questions about either of these events please contact Victoria Hansen, Manager at the Carroll County Farm Bureau, 815-244-3001 or by email at [email protected].

Stephenson County Farm Bureau Ag Olympics registration due Friday, July 10: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau Young Leaders will be hosting Youth Ag Olympics on Thursday, July 23 at 6:30p.m. New this year! We will be splitting teams into two age brackets. Teams will be placed in the bracket of their oldest team member.  Maximum of ten (10) teams consisting of 5-7 members each, age brackets are 8-11 and 12-16 (must have at least 5 members). Each team must include at least one female team member. Competition in 6 events (to be announced). Cash prizes for the winning teams per age bracket of $100 (1st), $75 (2nd), and $50 (3rd), – all other participating teams will receive coupons to the Hog House and Beef Corral. Teams are encouraged to wear team shirts/matching outfits. Special awards will be given for team name creativity, team outfit creativity and best team spirit. Registration forms can be found at www.stephensoncfb.org  under the “news” tab. Registration deadline is Friday, July 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. to the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Office, 210 West Spring Street, Freeport, IL or by email to [email protected].

4^th  of July Office Closures:

               Stephenson County Farm Bureau will be closed July 3 in observation of the 4^th of July

               Carroll County Farm Bureau will be closed July 3 as part of our regular office hours