On Saturday, March 14th I had the pleasure of hosting the Carroll and Stephenson County Farm Bureau’s Bus Trip to see Hamilton in Chicago. What an incredible show and even better company. I always enjoy bus trips because I get to interact with familiar and new faces. Hamilton kicked off our 2026 Bus Trip Schedule. Next Up are the following trips.
Milwaukee Zoo Bus Trip, June 25
Cubs Verse Brewers Bus Trip June 28 (limited seats available)
Warrens Cranberry Bus Trip September 25
Le Claire Iowa Bus Tri, October 16
To learn more visits your county Farm Bureau website’s www.carrollcfb.org or www.stephensoncfb.org
Membership Value Program Business Spotlight:
La Patrona located at 1725 South Ihm Boulevard Freeport, IL offers Farm Bureau members a 10% discount of purchase, not valid with other discounts. To learn more visit www.lapatronafreeport.com or call 815-824-0101.
Lena Brewing Company located at 9426 West Wagner Road in Lena offer Farm Bureau members a 10% discount off an entrée up to 4 entrees, dine in only. To learn more visit www.lenabrewing.com or call 815-369-2588.
Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Receive National Recognition: Illinois recently received some recognition from the American Farm Bureau YF & R Conference in regards to Harvest for Fall Competition.
1st place- compassion (service hours)
Most innovated award
2nd place- contribution (money donated)
These awards reflect incredible impact of projects like
- District 2 Young Leaders Hurricane Helene Hay Drive
- SIU’s Fill-A-Bucket Challenge
- State Young Leader Committee’s 1st Year Ag Teachers CDE & LDE Bags.
IFB to host regional wellness workshops: As spring approaches, farmers naturally are in full gear preparing equipment. But it’s also a good time to think about the people who run the machines. With that in mind, before planters start rolling, Illinois Farm Bureau will host two regional wellness workshops entitled “Strengthening Farmers, Families, and Futures.”
“The tools that farmers, spouses and others will take home are extremely valuable,” said Amy Rademaker, rural health and farm safety specialist who has helped coordinate the events. “We’re excited to equip participants not only with practical resources, but also with the knowledge to use them effectively. A missed day by anyone in a farming operation can be very costly.” The workshops will provide exercise and healthy eating tips, first aid knowledge and a variety of resources to cope with when the “unthinkable happens.” The expert speakers will help farmers answer questions including: Are you prepared to respond confidently in an emergency? Do you know how to pack safe, nutritious meals and snacks to sustain energy during long planting days? Are you incorporating simple movement strategies to stay healthy, focused and resilient? And when stress inevitably surfaces, do you have practical techniques to reset and refocus? While the events will be hosted in Knox and Kankakee counties this year, any Illinois Farm Bureau member statewide is welcome to attend. The Region 2 workshop in March will be held at the Kankakee County Extension office, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais, March 24. Register online at ilfb.events/RegWellness2 by March 17. The April wellness workshop will be at the Knox County Farm Bureau Office, 180 Soangetaha Road, Galesburg, April 9. Register at ilfb.events/RegWellness1 by April 2. Both events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided.