How did Farm Bureau serve our members in February:

1. Illinois Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference brought together nearly 450 members for grassroots conversations about IFB’s legislative and regulatory priorities. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson, U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood and Mary Miller, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, plus over 100 General Assembly legislators were in attendance and interacted with the Farm Bureau members at GALC
2. More than 450 IFB members attended the Young Leader Conference in East Peoria. The next generation of ag leaders gained valuable networking opportunities and meaningful personal and professional development.
3. IFB and COUNTRY Financial hosted seven ag summits throughout the state, providing essential economic and financial information for farmers to ensure the long-term health of their businesses.
4. IFB conducted training for 14 newer county Farm Bureau presidents from across the state, supplying them with information to enhance their success as a county leader.

To learn more about Farm Bureau visit www.ilfb.org

Carroll and Stephenson County Farm Bureaus to offer Pollinator Seeds:  With support from Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Growmark, and local FS—Stephenson and Carrol County Farm Bureau are providing a discounted pollinator seed sale. This year, we have the “Butterfly Mix” and a CRP mix available for purchase. The butterfly mix will support monarchs, butterflies, and bees. The CRP mix is designed to support butterflies and bees, too, but it includes some grass species to reduce weed escapes. The CRP mix is limited to those using it in a CRP plot.  Please fill out the order form or call a partnering CFB to order. Orders are due March 30th. Cash, check or card payments can be made at partnering CFBs. Additional information can be found on the County Farm Bureau websites or Facebook pages. Direct questions to your county Farm Bureau: Carroll County Farm Bureau 815-244-3001 and Stephenson County Farm Bureau 815-232-3186.

Membership Value Program Business Spotlight: Garden Deli-Freeport located at 1793 South West Avenue Freeport offers 10% off individual orders. Not applicable on group orders. To learn more call 815-235-3913

Membership Value Program Business Spotlight: Gemorifics located at 840 West Meadows Drive, Freeport, IL offers Farm Bureau members a 20% discount off new merchandise only. Does not include repairs or batteries. To learn more call 815-232-0005.

Certified Food Protection Management Course: The University of Illinois Extension will offer the Certified Food Protection Manager Training (CFPMT), formally known as the Food Service Sanitation Manager Course (FSSMC). This two-part class is an accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) course that meets the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Food Service Sanitation Code requirements.

During this two-day class, participants will learn about the principles and recommendations of the FDA Food Code focused on food safety and contamination, employee health and hygiene, safe food handling practices, cleaning and sanitizing, and HACCP.

Participants must attend the full two-day training to be eligible to take the exam. There is a $125 fee to cover this educational session. This fee is for the purchase of the educational materials, examination, and lunch. Space is limited, and therefore, preregistration is required.

Locally, CFPMT courses will be offered:

March 16 & 20- Freeport

April 7 & 10 – Galena

May 12 & 15- Rockford

To register visit: https://extension.illinois.edu/jsw/food-safety-trainings