If you have ever been in my Stephenson County office, you might have noticed on the wall sandwiched between my college degree and my American FFA Degree, there is a framed poster for the Harvard Milk Day Festival from 2013. Each year a new poster is designed and shared amongst the community. When I knew that I would be getting my first “big kid” office as a Farm Bureau Manager in southern Illinois, I asked my mom to stop by the Milk Day Office (yes, they have their own office) and see what posters were available. Thankfully she was able to acquire one of my favorite posters, “72 and still farming too”. This poster pays homage to a time when my hometown served as home to seven different dairy companies, one of the most known being Deans. Each of the seven dairies is represented using glass milk bottles. I attribute a lot of my agriculture involvement and passion for agriculture to growing up in Harvard and around Harvard Milk Days. I remember tagging along with family to the Dairy Breakfast as a kid, even getting to meet Orion Samuelson one year.  Agriculture and the dairy industry have been part of my life since before I could walk. It only seems fitting that one of the two counties I am lucky enough to serve the Farm Bureau members of is ranked the number two county in the state of Illinois in dairy production. As we kick of June dairy month, I plan to travel home for the 84^th Annual Milk Days where I will enjoy rooting on family members who are participating in the Milk Run Down the Milky Way (the whitewashed parade route), enjoying the parade, visiting the fairgrounds to see the antique tractors and taking in the Milk Days cattle show.  It is the perfect way to kick off June Dairy Month. (Photo of Milk Day Poster below)

Celebrate June Dairy Month One Cup at a Time: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau and Café 217 in Lena are teaming up to kick off the month of June with a fun filled morning of dairy information, dairy trivia, coffee and prizes! Join us on Thursday, June 5^th at Café 217 in Lena, IL to celebrate. The first 125 people will receive a reusable coffee cup. We will also have dairy themed prizes for the littles in your life. If you have questions, please contact Victoria at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau at 815-232-3186 or by email at [email protected].

Carroll County Farm Bureau to Host: Ag Coffee Talk Livestock Integration: On June 4, 2025 from 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m. Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau will be hosting a Livestock Integration Ag Coffee Talk. This free program will focus on livestock integration exploring practical ways to incorporate livestock into cropping systems that can enhance soil health, reduce nutrient runoff, and increase overall farm resilience. Light refreshments provided. Please register at go.illinois.edu/AgCoffeeTalkCarroll

Carroll County Members Eligible to win Cubs Verse Brewers Tickets: This year as an added way to appreciate our members we are giving way two sets of two tickets to an upcoming Cubs Verse Brewers game in Milwaukee. This game will take place on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:40p.m. in Milwaukee. Members can enter by calling our office at 815-244-3001 or by filling out the online survey that can be found on our Facebook page. The deadline for entering will be June 11^th and a winner will be announced on Monday, June 16^th.  To win these tickets your membership must be in good standing through June 2026, and membership will be verified.

Stephenson County Discounted Fair Season Passes Now Available: Stephenson County Farm Bureau members are eligible to purchase season tickets for $27 which is a $3 saving when they purchase their tickets at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau. Tickets can be purchased during normal business hours 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Season ticket purchase will have to be made with cash/check payment. Each membership is limited to two discounted tickets. For questions please call 815-232-3186.