Carroll County Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch, Farm Bureau Manager

August 31 marks the end of a lot of things in a County Farm Bureau office. It marks the end of the Illinois Membership Year, it marks the end of the Carroll County Farm Bureau Membership Year, and here in our office our fiscal year end. With all the “year ends”, it means reports and pinning for awards.

In September I was busy typing up my year end reports. While it is something that is gratefully dreaded (I have a hard enough time remembering what I did on Monday let alone all the programs we did in the past year), it is good to review what we did the past year. I try to keep good notes throughout the year but in the busy summer months, all bets are off on whether or not I am caught up. In Illinois there are five membership groups, with each group competing against those in their group for the President’s Award which is based on points on the reports we write up. Reflecting back on programming we have done, we have certainly transitioned from a meeting focused organization to a public relations/awareness/membership organization. Gone are the winter meetings on legislative items, farmer educational focused topics, etc. Now that information is received through technology when it is needed and not at an annual update. Many of our programs this past year focused on consumer education and public relations.

In December at the IAA Annual Meeting is when awards are announced and handed out. While the President’s Award is not something we will come home with from Chicago (since we did not make our membership quota), we do have one confirmed award winner for sure. Carl Erbsen has been named Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year for Illinois. Last year Carl was the runner up in Illinois and this year he took the top honor. To be eligible, Carl had to be nominated which our Ag in the Classroom coordinator, Melinda Charbonneau did. There was also an application process that he went through.

Here a few Fridays ago, the Quality of Life Action Team delivered meals out to the fields to four winners that were drawn at our membership appreciation breakfast. A hot lunch was taken out to the whole crew. Everyone from the member to the crew to the wife who did not have to worry about fixing lunch was greatly appreciative of the lunch. Our action team members also enjoy the chance to go catch up with those in the field to hear how harvest is going. This year’s winners were Bill Spoerlein, Gary Kloepping, Keith Schriner, and Darrell Stoner.

If you have ever thought about becoming a Carroll County Farm Bureau Board Director, now is the time. The nominating committee is currently taking names. So if you have ever considered it, you do need to be a voting member and you can live in any township in the county. Just give me a call at the office or send me an email at carrollcfb@grics.net. I can give you the details on the role of being a director.

Do you know who you are voting for this November? Not in who is the better candidate, but who is actually going to be on the ballot you get? This year there was redistricting done due to the census. So you may no longer be in the district you were before. You can go to the Illinois Farm Bureau website; www.ilfb.org and then the Legislative Action Center. There is a link where you can put your address in and find out if you are in a different district.

Farm Bureau Classifieds

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two (2) free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces). Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales, or commercial businesses will be accepted. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at 815- 244-3001 by noon Friday to get your ad in the following week’s paper.

FS: 720 John Deere, gas, narrow front, in good condition, needs some TLC. 815-684-5622

FS: John Deere snow blower for 42in deck. 815-499-4635

FS: Single craftmatic adjustable bed, brand new. 815-499-4635

FS: 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3V8 auto, posi, 80,000 miles, original owner. Lanark Area 815-529-6050

WANTED: Box road grinder & pony saddle 815-772-4238

FS: For sale due to moving.  Computer step back desk with front drawers and slide out 59x24, $100 OBO, like new condition.  Dozens of pieces of block optic depression glass.  Buy it by the piece all the entire collection. Complete set of Currier and Ives dishes, make an offer. Lanark cell 815-238-2158 and ask for Curt or Marcia.  
FS: 60 Metal Folding Chairs $3 each. 815-493-6818

FS: Round bales of alfalfa $225 per ton. Small square bales of alpha $8 Call after 6pm. 815-590-3992 or 815-499-4893

FS: Frigidaire white electric stove with smooth cooking surface. Used very little. 815-273-4164

FS: 3 Shetland Sheep Ram Lambs 5-6 months old $50 or best offer.  Chocolate Muscovey Ducks various ages best offer.  815-631-7203

FS: Cherry fire wood for sale, $70 face cord. Rail Road ties $4 each. 815-275-3974 or 815-493-1151

FS: Gas dryer, barely used, $75 or best offer. 815-684-9993

FS: Fainting goats: 5 mos. Females $80- 5 mos. Wethers $70. Yearling Females $100. Also a proven billie and a bred 1/2 boer nannie for sale. 815-493-2693 or 815-622-8658

FS: 12 Muscovy Ducks. $8 each or $80 for all. 815-275-8685

FS: Fimco sprayer has pump and pulls behind mower. Dog igloo, rocking chair, total gym weight bench, registered mini stallion. 815-994-2396

FS: Stihl long reach chain saw 9 ft to 12 ft. $350 815-225-7510

FS: Squash 25 cents each. 815-225-7510