Carroll County Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch, Farm Bureau Manager

March marks Illinois Farming Month. A big part of the economy in Illinois is Agriculture.

It is fitting that the Illinois Farm Families have just kicked off the second year for the “Field Mom” program. Illinois family farmers are opening their doors to give 20 urban and suburban Chicago-area moms a “peek inside the barn” to see for themselves how their food is grown. These moms will serve as Illinois Farm Families’ “Field Moms,” and will tour six Illinois farms between February and November this year for a firsthand look at what farmers do every day. The Field Moms will each record their days on the farms by taking photos, videos and journaling their observations. After each farm tour, the Field Moms will share what they learned with other moms and consumers on www.WatchUsGrow.org, www.facebook.com/IllinoisFarmFamilies and http://twitter.com/ILFarmFamilies

“These days, folks just don’t have the same connection to the farm that they did in years past which means that there are more questions about what farmers do and how they do it,” said farm mom Donna Jeschke of Mazon, Ill. “That’s why we’re so excited to welcome these moms onto our farms to show them what we do while answering their questions about how food gets from the farm to their tables.” Jeschke is one of several farm moms who will accompany the Field Moms on tours this year.

Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Beef Association through farmer membership and checkoff programs. We are committed to having conversations with consumers, answering their questions about food, farmers and farming, and sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois family farms. More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated. We are passionate about showing consumers how we grow safe, healthy food for their families and ours.

March is Illinois Farming Month – a time when Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) reminds “city cousins” that farmers grow more than food… they grow Illinois’ future, too. After all, farmers focus on the future. It’s a trait ingrained in them that naturally leads to one of the greatest aspects of today’s farming – continuous improvement.

To celebrate Illinois Farming Month, IFB invites consumers to take a peek into the improvements farmers are making by watching videos at www.watchusgrow.org. IFB invites you to take a peek into a grassroots commitment to the future, too. Read part of IFB Policy #51 Agricultural Research:

We support:

- An increase of research dollars in the public and private sector dedicated to the development of new domestic uses of agricultural products and commodities.

- Production research on efficient nutrient uptake, water usage, and improved pest and disease resistance for crops and livestock.

You can help grow a brighter future by sharing your thoughts and helping set IFB policies. Call our office and become involved today. If you want to read this entire policy section, visit www.ilfb.org/policy.

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: Kelvinator 16 cu. ft. upright freezer. 815-441-0462 after 3 pm or leave a message.

FS: Allis Chalmers square hay baler. 815-858-5060

FS: Wood brothers 3 pt pallet fork $800. 815-297-5370

FS: Lawn Care. Responsible, polite, hardworking 14 year old experienced in mowing and trimming. Please call Dawsen at 815-493-3053

FS: 1982 Mitsubishi Beaver model S-373. 977 hours with Woods model RM400 48in finishing mower. $2,500.00 815-244-9610

FS: Bluebird houses $5 each. 815-225-7510

FS: Aluminum truck toppers for a Long bed S10 and a Ford Ranger. 815-225-7510

WANTED: Bookkeeper with QuickBooks, taxes, payroll and data entry knowledge. Farm background a plus. 815-718-5491

FS: Squire electric bass guitar, excellent condition with soft case $200. Guitar amplifier $100 815-757-3778 or 815-590-8041

FS: Out of state prom dresses, 1 short w/black trim, pink, beads & sequins, size 11. 1 short white w/black trim & bow size 11. 1 long black w/white trim size 11/12. All worn once 815-259-3320