Do you ever find yourself reading those random lists, on Facebook/Pinterest? I am a sucker for lists especially when it has to do with food, travel, or agriculture: “Top 10 Supper Clubs in Wisconsin” or “Top Underrated Day Trips in Illinois”. Each month Illinois Farm Bureau releases a list of “How Farm Bureau Served you” for each month. The top four ways Illinois Farm Bureau served our members in October are below:

1. Throughout harvest, state and national legislators made more than 48 visits to IFB members’ farms, giving legislators a firsthand look at real farms and members the opportunity to talk about priority ag issues, such as the immediate need of a farm bill, protecting future family farms through the Family Farm Preservation Act and other upcoming issues.
2. The IAA Foundation awarded $647,000 in grants to 81 local ag literacy coalitions where ag literacy coordinators serve 88 Illinois counties. Last school year, these coordinators helped reach 634,314 students and 43,380 teachers with engaging agriculture content as part of the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program.
3. IFB hosted a meeting with University of Illinois system leaders to discuss opportunities for longstanding partnership to drive strategic initiatives that benefit Illinois agriculture.
4. IFB advocated for its members in submitted comments surrounding spray drift and on-field mitigation measures outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s draft Insecticides Strategy.

Two Stephenson County Teachers Receive Grants: Congratulations to Amy Schultz of Orangeville School District on receiving a Book grant. Lisa Corp, Open Bible Learning Center received as Project Grant. Both grants are to help integrate agriculture into classrooms.

Ogle Carroll Ag In The Classroom Fundraiser: Support the Ag In The Classroom program for Ogle and Carroll counties by purchasing freezer meals. These meals are great gifts for those on your list who are hard to shop for. Get two (2) sets of 5 meals, each individual serving. Meal sets are $90 when paying by check/cash $95 if paying with credit card/debit card. The menu includes lasagna, chicken and biscuits, chicken bacon ranch pasta, pulled pork and pork tenderloin with bourbon pineapple and potatoes. Order deadline is November 27 at 1p.m., with order pickup being December 16.  Carroll County pickup is 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. and Ogle County pickup is from 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Meals can be ordered online at https://checkout.square.site/buy/SUYA4IJAM252ZGM6LIG6VW4D.

Illinois Farm Bureau Congratulates Legislators, Local Offices on Election: Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan commented today on the election of national, state and local officials. “Illinois Farm Bureau congratulates all elected officials. We look forward to working with them at all levels of our government to share the value and strength of Illinois agriculture,” said IFB President Brian Duncan. “I also want to thank everyone who took time to vote and have their voices heard. We all have a unique opportunity to vote for those who will represent us in setting our national, state, and local policies. “One of Illinois Farm Bureau’s greatest strengths is that we leave partisanship at the door and focus on the facts. At the end of the day, we need our government policy to support the well-being of agriculture because that ensures our farmers’ ability to provide safe and reliable food, fuel and fiber.

Carroll and Stephenson Thanksgiving Office Hours:

Carroll County Farm Bureau will be closed on Thursday, November 28^th

Stephenson County Farm Bureau will close at noon on Wednesday, November 27 at noon and remain closed until Monday, November