Going between Stephenson and Carroll Counties and visiting my family in McHenry County and beyond I spend a lot of time in the car. I typically drive alone and two of my favorite ways to pass the time are listening to audiobooks and podcasts. I listen to a whole range of books and podcasts, but my personal favorite is Taking Stalk where RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer brings Farm Bureau leaders, members and experts together to discuss issues facing agriculture in Illinois. Topics covered so far include Avian Influenza, ATV safety, Solar and wind and many, many more. To start listening search “Taking Stalk” on your favorite podcast platform or visit https://www.ilfb.org/Podcasts
Prime Timer Program: The Prime Timer program or also known as 4C’s is a program for members of the Carroll County Farm Bureau who get together monthly for a light lunch, socialization and an activity/educational speaker. The group’s next meeting is Tuesday, May 13 at 11:30a.m. at the Carroll County Farm Bureau office. If you are interested in attending or learning more, please contact the Carroll County Farm Bureau office at 815-244-3001. Stephenson County Farm Bureau members are invited to attend as well.
FFPA gains Momentum in Springfield: The Family Farm Preservation Act (FFPA) remains a priority for Illinois Farm Bureau, taking center stage during Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day April 9. To help the FFPA cross the finish line, IFB President Brian Duncan, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow, Director of State Legislation Chris Davis and Associate Director of State Legislation Mark Raney met with Illinois House leaders, including Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and Speaker of the House Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Westchester. While in Springfield, Duncan also had the chance to discuss the FFPA with Gov. JB Pritzker. “We're an industry that has $200 billion in economic output. The cost of this Family Farm Preservation Act, we estimate to be about $20 million a year. That seems to be a very small price to pay, in the whole scheme of things, to keep farms in families,” Duncan said of the message IFB brought to the Statehouse. State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, told RFD Radio Network’s Jim Taylor that Illinois is one of only 12 states to have a regressive state tax. The FFPA, if adopted, would create a $6 million true exemption to the estate tax for family farms, which Chesney described as a “step in the right direction” for Illinois farmers. “We will continue to press forward in calling for members of the General Assembly to pass the FFPA,” Duncan noted. “I am very optimistic that the Governor, Speaker Welch and Leader McCombie know the importance of what this means for the future of family farms in Illinois. I was pleased to hear each of them acknowledge the importance of addressing this issue in the coming weeks of the General Assembly session.” Although building momentum for the FFPA was a primary focus of IALD discussions, IFB also met with Illinois House representatives to talk about nuisance deer issues and private property rights. Additionally, Duncan, Semlow, IFB Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting and Economic and Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely met with representatives from the British Consulate General to discuss the future of trade relations between Illinois and the United Kingdom. With so many important issues affecting Illinois farmers, Duncan shared that now is a crucial time for farmers to share their stories with legislators to ensure their voices are heard as policies advance in the General Assembly. “That's what the organization is all about,” Duncan said. “At the county Farm Bureau level, getting out and telling those stories and sharing that with the people that make policy and pass laws in the state.”
ILLINOIS WHEAT CHECKOFF REFERENDUM PASSES SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois wheat producers approved a measure to bring a wheat check-off program to the State of Illinois. By a vote of 207 to 69, producers passed a referendum to implement a voluntary wheat check-off program with a 1.5 cent per bushel assessment rate. The referendum result was announced today after the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) completed its review of the ballots and certified the statewide vote total. In the coming weeks, the Illinois Wheat Checkoff Committee, in conjunction with the IDOA, will be implementing procedures for the fall 2025 election of members to the Illinois Wheat Development Board. The program will go into effect January 1, 2026. The Illinois Wheat Development Act was passed into law to foster the development of new markets for wheat and wheat products, to provide research, enhance production and enable the wheat industry to adapt to changing markets. “Agriculture is our state’s #1 industry, and we are proud to be the #11 producer of wheat in the nation, producing 60.2 million bushels in 2024,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “The wheat check-off will foster continued growth, positioning Illinois as a global leader in wheat
production.”
Join the Ogle/Carroll Ag In The Classroom Team: Do you like working with students and teaching them about agriculture? Then this may be the position for you. This position is August through May, an average of 15-20 hours a week, and includes assisting with Ag In The Classroom Presentations. If interested please email your resume to Victoria Hansen on or before May 2, 2025 at [email protected]