One of my favorite things to do as a student was picking out school supplies. Even as an adult I enjoy going shopping for pens and sticky notes. One thing I think we forget and at times take for granted is the role farmers and agriculture have when it comes to a successful school year. Outside of farmers providing the nutritious food for lunches, farmers have a big role in the materials we use. I thought I’d share some fun facts about agriculture products that you would commonly find in a school.
- The average American owns seven pairs of blue jeans made from cotton.
- There are 150 yards of cotton in a regulation baseball.
- Wood from California cedar trees is most used to make pencils and notebooks.
- Corn starch is used in the formation of plastic items to help coat molds to help in efficiency of plastic products.
- Hand sanitizer can be made with alcohol produced from Illinois corn.
- Illinois wheat is used for chocolate chip cookies, Illinois Specialty Growers produce apples, and Prairie Farms Dairy farmers provide thousands of ½ pint milk cartons filled with milk.
We wish all our county students, teachers, and other school staff a successful and safe school year.
Stephenson County Farm Bureau Foundation and Roots and Shoots announce Grant Recipients: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau Foundation and the Roots and Shoots have established a program aimed at encouraging local agriculture businesses to hire youth from our community. The goal is to provide students with opportunities to explore careers in both agriculture and in our local workforce. Through this grant program, employers can receive a match of up to $750 to help support and inspire youth to stay engaged in local agricultural businesses. This year’s recipients included Gunderson Dairy and Stephenson Service Company. To learn more about this year’s recipients please visit our Facebook page.
Membership Value Program Spotlight: Auto Repair Specialists located at 3358 IL Route 26 South. They offer Farm Bureau members a $2.00 discount off any oil change. Learn more about their services at www.autorepairspecialistsinc.com.
Carroll County Freezer Meals are Back: Freezer meals are back! Ogle-Carroll Ag in the Classroom is prepping freezer meals, ready-to-heat for your family. Get 10 meals, serving about 5 people. There are 11 hearty meal choices to choose from including: Smoked Pulled Pork, Smoked BBQ Pulled Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Smoked Kielbasa Sausage, Boneless Ribs w/ Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Chili Meatballs w/ Rice, Green Bean Casserole w/ Tator Tots, Chicken n Biscuits, Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. Cost: $195 cash/check or $200 credit card. Orders due: September 3rd by NOON. Order pick-up: September 30th, Carroll- 3pm-4pm and Ogle- 4pm-5pm. For questions call: Carroll- (815)244-3001 or Ogle- (815)732-2191
Governor JB Pritzker signs IFB- backed nuisance deer legislation: Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday aimed at helping Illinois farmers manage deer-related crop damage, enacting a long-awaited solution to nuisance wildlife issues. The new law gives the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) authority to issue deer removal permits based on the percentage of deer harvested under previous permits and will offer farmers and landowners more flexibility in managing nuisance wildlife. “We’re incredibly grateful to the governor for signing this bill and to the legislative sponsors who championed it,” said Anna McKinley, Illinois Farm Bureau assistant director of state legislation. “This is an important issue that will bring much-needed relief to farmers, and we’re very thankful to the membership for bringing it forward.” IDNR’s updated rules for Deer Removal Permits, including application procedures, damage reporting and evaluation timelines, will take effect Jan. 1. Also beginning next year, youth hunters will be eligible for two deer tags, one either-sex permit and one antlerless-only permit, instead of just one. McKinley told FarmWeek the guest landowner permit program, which allows landowners to assign a hunter a guaranteed shotgun permit, will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2027. This timeline gives IDNR time to develop a process for issuing and recognizing these permits. “Legislation like this highlights the moments where government works,” said Illinois Sen. Joyce, D-Essex. “Through the Illinois Farm Bureau, I was able to hear and see the issues our farmers were experiencing, and from there I was able to do my job by getting this bill to the governor’s desk.” The bill, which passed unanimously out of the Illinois General Assembly, was one of more than 430 passed by lawmakers in May. Pritzker signed 266 of those into law on Aug. 15. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene for the fall veto session, where remaining bills and potential amendments could be considered.