When I was a child, my 4-H club would visit the local nursing home. During the visit we would sing Christmas carols and partner with a resident to make a gingerbread house to decorate their facility. We would start with a base that included an empty milk carton, two full sized graham crackers and icing. From there, we would add whatever decorations we wanted. For my house, I typically used the candy that didn’t appeal to me and eat the tastier looking stuff (I have big sweet tooth).
This holiday season, the Stephenson County Farm Bureau is hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Each entry will receive a $25 gift card and the top three houses will receive a monetary donation payable to the Stephenson County Charity of their choice. The top house will receive one dollar for each vote cast. Houses will need to be delivered to the Stephenson County Farm Bureau office (210 W. Spring Street, Freeport) on December 16 between 8:00a.m. and 4:30p.m. Public voting will take place December 17 through December 19 from 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. and December 20 8:00a.m. through noon. Houses cannot exceed a 2 ft by 2ft base and must be made mostly of edible ingredients. For more information or an entry form please visit our Facebook page or website www.stephensoncfb.org . Only 10 entries will be accepted so don’t delay in turning your entry form in!
Stephenson County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting: Join us at 7pm on November 26 at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center (Building H-Room 201) to celebrate another successful year of Farm Bureau. We are excited to announce that DeLoss Jahnke with RFD will be our featured speaker. Enjoy delicious pie and even better company. Reservations are not required but are appreciated. To reserve your seat please call our office at 815-232-3186.
Now carrying goat milk soap: We are now carrying goat milk soap from Sett n’ Suds of Ridott, IL. We have several scents available including sandalwood, green tea ginger and apple, pumpkin spice & milk and honey. Each bar of soup is $5. We also have handmade soap dishes and ring dishes that are $11 dollars each. These new items join our store staples of maple syrup, honey and popcorn.
Extra Nuts and Candies: We have extra nuts and candies for sale include cashews, pecan halves, mixed nuts, pistachios, whole almonds, milk chocolate almonds, malted milk balls, dark chocolate peanut butter melts, dark chocolate cranberries, dark chocolate covered mint patties, mint meltaway and spicy party mix. These items will be sold on a first come first served basis and no items will be held until a later time.
Stephenson County Farm Bureau members receive flu shot discount: Active Stephenson County Farm Bureau members will receive a $5 discount on flu shots administered at the Stephenson County health department. To receive this discount, you must present your Farm Bureau card. The Health Department accepts walk-ins and are open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. If you need a copy of your card, please stop by or call our office at 815-232-3186.
Now Accepting Applications for Summer Program Assistant Position: The Stephenson County Farm Bureau is currently accepting applications for our Summer Program Assistant. The Summer Program Assistant will assist with Farm Bureau activities at the Stephenson County Ag Breakfast, Stephenson County Fair, assist with office operation and building management responsibilities. An agricultural background or working knowledge of agriculture is helpful but not required. Applications are due to the Farm Bureau office by January 2, 2020. Applications can be found at our office (210 West Spring Street, Freeport) or on our website www.stephensoncfb.org
Summer Program Assistant Responsibilities include:
- Solicit new vendors for Membership Value Program and make any needed contacts with existing partners
- Assist with planning and coordination of SCFB activities at the Stephenson County Ag Breakfast on Saturday June 20
- Assist with planning and operation of “Farm Fun Zone” (SCFB tent) and other activities at Stephenson County Fair (tentatively set for July 21-25)
- Assist with planning and coordination of the Summer Ag Institute
- Assist with Ag-in-the-Classroom activities with the CAP Foundation Education Coordinator as needed
- Assist with planning and coordination of Young Leaders activities
- Work with social media and mainstream media development and outreach
- Assist with planning and coordination of other programs and activities as designated
- Attend meetings as specified by SCFB manager, including intern workshop at IFB home office in June
- Assist with office operations, building management responsibilities, and other duties as assigned