Can you believe it is already October? Me either. That means combines are rolling across the county as harvest is well underway. With that I want to share a few harvest season safety tips.
- Farm equipment are considered SMVs or slow-moving vehicles and travel between 5 and 25 miles per hour. When approaching, reduce speed.
- Farm equipment is large. To make turns they may have to pull wide to the right to make a left turn. Please watch for signals and field entrances.
- Pass with caution and do not pass in a no passing zone.
- Be aware of significant blind spots where the operator cannot see a trailing or side-by-side car.
On behalf of the Farm Bureau, we wish you and safe and plentiful harvest.
Rural Development Grants Available: The Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) Rural Development Grant Program is designed to support rural development projects that will positively impact Farm Bureau® members and other rural Illinoisans. Aligning with IFB policy and local government priorities, the program strives to elevate and place additional focus on rural development. It provides resources to help local communities and counties in rural Illinois successfully implement projects focused on supporting community and economic development as well as enhancing quality of life. IFB is looking for projects that will meet an economic development or quality of life need in a community, county or rural area, and get residents excited about what is happening in their community. Examples could include projects that:
- Focus on attracting businesses
- Foster entrepreneurship
- Improve infrastructure
- Provide access to fresh foods
- Increase healthcare access
- Expand recreational opportunities
- Increase available housing
- Develop tourism
- Enhance emergency services support (fire, emergency medical services, police)
- Otherwise positively impact farmers and rural Illinoisans
Rural development requires a team effort. The grants will be awarded in conjunction with county Farm Bureaus® and their local partners. For more information about the program, please contact your local county Farm Bureau. Applications are due on December 1, 2026.
Applications are open for the Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future Award: Applications are open for the Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future Award! The Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates Youth Education in Agriculture (YEA) Committee is proud to partner with Illinois 4-H to recognize outstanding youth leaders through the 4-H Sustaining the Future Award. This award recognizes Illinois 4-H members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership within agriculture and a desire to remain engaged in the industry. The top 10 applicants will receive statewide recognition and an invitation to attend the Premier 20 Leadership Conference, one of Illinois' premier leadership development experiences for agricultural youth. Eligible Illinois 4-H members are encouraged to apply before the November 1st deadline.” The purpose of the 4-H Sustaining the Future Award is to recognize Illinois 4-H members who have exemplified outstanding leadership within agriculture and demonstrated a desire to remain engaged in the future of the industry. The application can be found at https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/
Membership Value Program Business Spotlight: Tim’s Auto Care located at 504 West Stephenson Street Freeport, IL offers Farm bureau members a $5 discount on any full service oil change. To learn more call 815-235-9655 or visit www.timsautocare.com