One word sums up this week and that word is “thankful”. I am blessed with many things to be grateful for this week. On Monday, November 17, the Stephenson County Farm Bureau hosted our 2025 annual meeting. We reminisced on a successful year and highlighted many exciting activities for this upcoming year. We had great updates from both Stephenson Service and COUNTRY Financial. We enjoyed presentations from Debbie Steinbach, Agriculture Literacy Coordinator on her time at the National Ag In The Classroom Conference and members of the Orangeville FFA Chapter and their dairy judging trip to the UK. I am thankful for our entire board and the many volunteers it takes to make our organization as successful as it is. Thank you to all our members who were able to attend.  In addition to the many wonderful volunteers I have in my life, I am blessed with a wonderful and supportive family, and I am appreciative of them every day, but especially around the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying a weekend of good food, family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving from me and my family to yours.

Membership Value Program Business Spotlight: Coffee and Crumbs Baker located at 1022 Riverside Drive, Freeport offers Farm Bureau members one free medium rip coffee with purchase of baked good. One per customer per day. To learn more visit www.coffeecrumbsbakery.com or call 815-616-0457.

Stephenson Accepts Applications for Summer Internship: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau is now accepting applications for our 2026 summer intern. Applications can be found on our website at www.stephensoncfb.org under the “news” tab. Applications are due on or before Friday, January 9^th. Major responsibilities include.

• Assisting with summer Agriculture in the Classroom and Consumer Educations efforts.
• Assist with planning and facilitating the Farm Fun Zone at the Stephenson County Fair.
• Work with Social Media development and outreach.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

If you have questions, please contact Manager Victoria Hansen at 815-232-3186 or by email at [email protected].

Holiday Office Hours:

Carroll County Farm Bureau:

            November 27: Closed

            December 25: Closed and will reopen on Monday, January 5

Stephenson County Farm Bureau

            November 26: Closing at noon

            November 27 & November 28: Closed

            December 24: Closing at noon and will reopen on Friday, January 2

Questions, please contact the respective office Carroll 815-244-3001 and Stephenson 815-232-3186.