Carroll County Farm Bureau

This month is National Pork Month. This year it is even more important to promote National Pork Month. The hog market is very depressed right now. The H1N1 virus is out in full swing and it is sad to say, but they are people out there who are afraid to eat pork because of the name it was first referred to as.

Here are some hog facts and other tidbits for you. Did you know there are over 500 by-products from pigs! Of course if you were to ask someone, the first thing that would generally come to mind would be the infamous "pigskin" which I can say is one of my favorite! Some other by-products include chewing gum, animal feeds, glue, combs, buttons, paintbrushes, plywood, floor waxes. There are also a number of helpful products made from hogs. Insulin is one of them. Illinois ranks #4 for hog production. DeKalb County is the top hog producer in Illinois.

In a recent contest in the county, sponsored by the Women of the Lanark United Methodist Church, the tallest stalk and the biggest ear of corn surfaced. The blue ribbon for the TALLEST CORN was a Hughes #7383, stretching up 14' 11.75" and submitted by the Morris Farm, Irv and Patricia (Morris) Zier, Chadwick. The Morris Farm, purchased in 1859 by John, continued with George, John K., Patricia (Morris) Zier, and has been a working farm for 150 years.

For the BIGGEST EAR of corn, the blue ribbon was captured by Nick Smith, Smith Farming Corporation, Milledgeville with a DeKalb #6342 weighing 1 lb. 1.5 oz. The Keeney-Smith Centennial Farm (1866), purchased by William Keeney has been farmed by Oscar Mott, Ray Mott, James Keeney/Merle and Grace (Keeney) Smith, Steve and Jane Smith, and Brad Smith (father of Nick). The paternal branch of Smith families farming in Carroll County includes Washington William, Albert, Allen, Wilmer, Steve, and Brad. Nick, age 6, is the up and coming 7th generation. Congratulations to the winners and a huge thank you goes out to all those who participated. Lets all hope for a very bountiful harvest!

We still have openings on our Girls Day Out shopping trip. We are going to Gurnee Mills Outlet mall on Friday, November 20th. The bus will leave the Farm Bureau parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and return approximately 7:30 p.m. Gurnee offers a wide variety of stores for everyone. They have Kohl's; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Burlington Coat Factory; Gap; and more. Don't think you can spend that long shopping? You can take a break at the Rainforest Café or catch a movie. Cost is $25 for members and $28 for non-members which includes transportation and a goodie bag. Contact our office today to reserve your spot! They are going fast. Reservations are due by November 13.

In just a week or so, members should be receiving in the mail their annual holiday fruit, nut and gift basket order forms. It is hard to believe it is that time of year already. The order deadline will be November 23. There is one small change. We are no longer able to order 2/5 boxes. We will still offer 2/5, but it will be half of a 2/5 box. The Women's Committee will again be selling their ever so popular fruit baskets. Last year they assembled a record number of 126. We will see if we can past that this year.

Also included in the mailing will be a letter on the free family portrait. We are trying a new photographer this year. Those dates are set for November 21 and 22. Pictures will be delivered before Christmas.

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: 1980 25' Crest Pontoon Boat with 85hp force OBM (trailer not included) needs work on prop and steering. $1,400 obo. 815-499-1537.

FS: Elkay water cooler with 2 water bottles, $25 OBO. 815-541-3458.

FS: 4 Scrambler LT 9.50R, 16.5 LT tires on Chevy, 8 bolt rims like new, $250 obo. 815-541-3458.

FS: Bow Flex Exercise machine in excellent condition.815-493-6604.

WANTED: Gently used Filing cabinets. 815-266-2501.

FS: 1972 C-50 Chevy 500 bu, Rolltop 427 w/4X2 transmission, $4950 obo. 815-541-2842

FS: Craftsman 10" table saw, cable drive on metal stand, $75. 815-493-2453.

FS: Covered portable feed wagon, $150. 815-864-2572

FS: 2 bottom 3 point plow, $275. 815-864-2572

FS: 65 bales of very good grass hay, $3.00 each. 815-864-2572

FS: All steel PTO wood hauler box, $200. 815-864-2572

FS: 1983 Ford F700, diesel, 5 speed Grain Truck, 16 foot box, hoist rollup tarp, goose neck ball and break, $4,900.00 or obo. 815-590-0889.

FS: Receiver hitch cargo carrier, fits in 2" receiver hitch, dimensions are 48" x 27", very heavy built, excellent condition, $100.00. 815-493-6815.

FS: 9 month old cocker spaniel, micro chipped with AKC registry available, up to date on vaccines, heartworm and flea meds, spade, good with kids, comes with food and water bowls, toys, dog bed, seat belt harness, teddy paws, and medium pet taxi, $400 or obo. 815-990-8667.

FS: 1 year old Golden Comet laying hens, $2.00 a piece. 815-259-2315.

FS: Queen Mattress good shape, $50. Call after 4:00pm. 815-225-7921.

FS: 1 year old ab coaster hardly used, $450 new, asking $200. Call after 4:00pm. 815-225-7921.

FS: Octagon glass top kitchen table, no chairs, $10.00. Call after 4:00pm. 815-225-7921.

FS: Bedliner with a tailgate cover fits full size Dodge truck with an 8 foot bed, $55. 815-493-2456.

FS: Truck bed rubber mat for pick-up truck with an 8 foot box, $35. 815-493-2456.

FS: 1973 Smokercraft boat and trailer. 16 ft deep hull, $800. 815-684-5419.

FS: Black entertainment center, like new. Matching 6 shelf book case. $80 for pair. Will split up. 815-684-5419.

FS: Red prom dress, laces up back. Very pretty. $175. 815-684-5419.

FS: Cortland and Jonathan Apples. 815-225-7510.

Free: GE console 27inch TV. Call after 4:00pm. 815-225-7921.

FS: Used Crosley Refrigerator. 815-493-6503

FS: 2 large Wilton cupcake dessert stands holds 38. New still in boxes! $30.00 each. 815-225-7202, please leave a message.

Wanted to Buy: Ab lounger chair, and a lightweight treadmill. 815-273-2846.

FS: 1972 C-50 Chevy 500 bu, Rolltop 427 w/4X2 transmission, $4950 obo, 815-541-2842