Carroll County Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch, Farm Bureau Manager

Who should speak up for your behalf? Every year, more and more legislation and regulations are considered that may impact your farm. Who should voice their concerns with these laws and regulations? The activists? Those who are not nor have ever been involved in agriculture? NO!

 It should be you! And Illinois Farm Bureau has made it easier than ever for you to take part in making your voice heard. By signing up for the FB ACT (Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team) program you and farmers across the state can unite your voice so that you can turn policies into pro-farm legislation and regulations. All talking points are provided to you so you don’t even need to come up with what to say.

Most recently, Illinois Farm Bureau sent out an Action Request asking farmers to contact their legislators on passing a new Farm Bill. The call to action took members only a few minutes to call the 800 number to their congressmen to state a farm bill must be passed in the lame duck session. 

Do you fear you don’t have time? Throughout the year, there are generally only 5-10 action requests. Can you afford 15-30 minutes a year to make sure your voice is heard? I thought so! Sign up today by going to our website at www.carrollcfb.org and clicking on the FB ACT logo in the middle of the page.  If you have any questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact me. In these volatile times, it is time we make sure to stand up for agriculture. 

Did you know that only 8% of New Year’s resolutions are kept? Did you also know that Illinois Farm Bureau is part of that small minority? IFB’s resolutions are grassroots policies set by farmers at the IFB Annual Meeting in this month. As we get ready to tackle tough issues in 2013, these resolutions guide the organization throughout the year. Need an example of one of these rock-solid resolutions? Check out part of your Illinois Farm Bureau policy #85, Government Regulations:

1. We support regulations to protect the public health, safety and welfare, provided:

2. The regulations are based upon scientific data which has been subject to replication and peer review.

3. The costs as well as the benefits of the regulations have been carefully weighed.

4. The regulations have been subject to independent analysis and public scrutiny.

Alternatives to regulation have been considered, especially the provision of market-based incentives.

The regulations respect the practicalities of doing business in the industry being regulated.

When, on January 1, you make your resolutions, be sure to include a commitment to get to know the policies that impact the way you farm. Call your County Farm Bureau and give us your opinion or ask for more details about this particular policy. If you want to read this entire policy section, visit www.ilfb.org/policy.

Do not forget if you ordered fruit, nuts, and/or fruit baskets, they are scheduled to be picked up on Tuesday, December 11th. Fruit and nuts will be available first thing in the morning and the fruit baskets will be ready by 11 a.m. We did order extra nuts and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We may also have a little bit of extra fruit.

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:  GE microwave, artificial Christmas tree, 3 sets of encyclopedias, & dinette table with or without chairs.  815-541-9569

FS:  2 goldfish bowls, baby changing table, electric clothes dryer, outdoor Nativity set, bird cage, manual typewriter, assorted sizes of wooden storm windows & screens. 815-291-7822

FOR RENT: For Rent 2 story country house, Eastland School District, located southeast of Lanark 815-493-9993

FS: 4 P185-75R14 Studded Snow Tires 815-590-2267

WANTED: Combo hay & grain feeder for horses 815-772-4238

FS: 6-1/2 foot Christmas tree $25 815-225-7510

FS: Ornaments & wreaths 815-225-7510

FS: Train Set $100 815-225-7510

FS: Child’s Rocking Horse on springs. Age 2-6years 815-493-2520

FS: Hound Hunter Electric Collar by Sports Dog, 2 mile range 815-244-9610

FS: Single bed complete 815-684-5430

FS: Used Colman Sleeping bag 815-684-5430

FS: Willow Tree Angels- Thank-You, Healing & Hearts 815-684-5430

FS: Wurlitzer Piano $200 815-684-5630

FS: Anybody out there need a chopping block, or two, cross cut out of a nice white oak log? 815-493-2224 evenings best.

FS: 1986 Suzuki Intruder V-Twin 700CC 14,000 miles in excellent condition. 815-535-4069