MOOve on over for the Children's Farm at the Carroll County Fair

What do baby calves, fuzzy sheep, rascally rabbits, and cute little piglets have in common? Well, they're all going to be at the Carroll County Fair, that's what!

This summer at the Carroll County Fair, the Carroll County arm Bureau and Carroll County 4-H will again be sponsoring a Children's Farm and it's sure to be fun for the whole family!

Several animals will be making their debut at the Children's Farm. These animals include: a beef and dairy calf, sheep, goats, piglets, rabbits, chickens and much more! Educational information about each animal will be displayed: from feeding habits to character traits, agricultural terminology to fun facts. Several games will also be available for children of all ages to participate in that incorporate real farming activities. Children will learn how to gather eggs, dig potatoes, and even milk "Bessie the Cow" (well, a wooden cow, that is!). Your children will be able to experience first hand what it's like to live on a real farm! You can also take home fun packs with more information on their favorite animals at the farm! The Carroll County Fair runs August 4-9, 2008. The Children's Farm will be open Wednesday 12:30 pm- 7:00 pm, Thursday and Friday 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, and Saturday 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm.

The Carroll County Farm Bureau Woman's Committee is sponsoring a 3-A-Day Dairy promotional booth to encourage everyone to get their 3 servings of dairy products every day. This booth will be located at the entrance of the Children's Farm. Along with educational information about the 3-A-Day Dairy program there will also be a Milk Mustache contest! Wednesday from 1:00 pm-7:00 pm. come by and put on your best milk mustache and the chance to win some great 3-A-Day Dairy prizes!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the fair too! Daily admission is only $5, and children 7 and under are free; season passes are $15. So mark your calendars, and join us under the tent just inside the main entrance, east of the 4-H building. We can't wait to see you there!

St. Ambrose University Dean's List

The following area full-time students, who achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have been named to the St. Ambrose University Dean's List for the Spring 2008 term.

Founded in 1882 by the Diocese of Davenport, St. Ambrose is a coeducational liberal arts institution dedicated to providing a broad educational experience within the context of the Catholic tradition. For more information about St. Ambrose go to www.sau.edu.

Hanover: Patrick Olsen

Lanark: Audrey Raab

Morrison: Sarah Drey, Britni Huizenga, Mitchell Stoermer

Mount Carroll: Kayla Meinsma

Polo: Camri Wolf

Sterling: Theodore Hegner

Illinois' I.C.E. program

The Carroll County Farm Bureau Quality of Life Team wants to make sure if you are ever found incapacitated in case of an emergency, Illinois emergency workers have a quick way to find out who they should contact. Paramedics, police and firefighters often waste valuable time trying to figure out which name in a cell phone to call when disaster strikes. They need to talk immediately to a family member or close friend so you can get the medical attention you need as soon as possible. Governor Blagojevich launched Illinois' I.C.E. program as a free and easy way to help emergency workers help you.

All you have to do is put the name of your emergency contact in your cell phone phonebook with the word "ICE" in front of it. "ICE" stands for "In Case of Emergency." For example, if your emergency contact is Sheila, you should put "ICE Sheila" in your phone book. That way, emergency workers treating you can quickly contact Sheila to get the information about you that they need. You can also have more than one emergency contact you just list them as ICE1, ICE2, and so on.

Governor Blagojevich has notified all of the State's emergency agencies to look for ICE numbers if they ever come across an unconscious person in an accident. Illinois is the first state to implement this program on such a large scale. Now that police officers, firefighters and paramedics are on the lookout for ICE numbers, putting your emergency contact in your phone could help save your life one day in case of emergency. By working together, we can make Illinois a safer place for everybody. Please take a moment to put your emergency contact information in your cell phone today. If you need assistance with putting ICE into your phone, please feel free to stop by the Farm Bureau office for assistance.

Pearl City Hornets 4-H News

Our June Meeting was held on Sunday night on the 1st, 7:00 at St. John's Church in Pearl City. We answered the roll call by our favorite summer sport. The Cloverbuds went downstairs with Marie Bronkema. They made dairy posters. They were put up inour clubdairy window at the State Bank of Pearl City and then displayed at the Ag Breakfast.

Old Business: Dues are $3.00, no dues for Cloverbuds. Dog ownership, dairy registration and swine papers are due June 1st. The 4-H program books were passed out last month.If you did not get one, see Janine. Don't forget to get your talks or demos completed. July 8th Dog Show, 9th General Projects Day, 11, Cake Decorating & Flower Arranging. July 24th is Cloverbud Day Camp.

New Business: We voted on donating $100.00 to St. John's for letting us have our meetings there. We donated $27.00 for a Beef plaque and $50.00 for the Brittany Kock Scholarship. Due to financial crisis the Extension Office will be mailing all information by emails. Their newsletter will not be mailed either. Please get it on their website. Also check their new hours. They are also looking for more volunteers to help them.

There were no talks or demos in my group tonight. Thank you to Mike Wingert, Musser, Lieb, Schierloh, Schiess, Strohecker, and Talbert/Boyer families for our refreshments. Our next meeting will be at the Stockton Pool on the 27th in the evening. We will also be eating pizza. More information coming soon. See you there.

- Melissa Bronkema,
Club Reporter

Roxanna Skaggsreceives Iowa State scholarship

Roxanna Skaggs, a junior in hotel, restaurant and institution management at Iowa State University and graduate of Milledgeville High School, has received the Elizabeth Beveridge Scholarship from the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences.

Retirement and the Three-Legged Stool

The three-legged stool was the image used for retirement income in decades past, according to Karen Chan, Extension Educator in Consumer & Family Economics with University of Illinois Extension. The legs represented Social Security, pensions, and personal savings. "Today, the three-legged stool is getting a little wobbly. Some have sprouted a fourth legworking in retirementand others are in danger of tipping over," says Chan. Maybe your retirement income stooler, planscould use a little attention.

During your working years, you will make a number of decisions that will impact the income you can depend on in retirement. Contributing to your employer retirement plan or to an IRA each year should be the top item on your Retirement To-Do List. To maximize the savings you have to draw on in retirement, contribute enough to get your employer's match and work long enough to be vested. If you're vested, it means the employer's contributions are yous even if you leave the job. If you're self employed, setting up your own retirement plan should be your first task. Setting up a SEP (Simplified Employee Pension plan) with a mutual fund company or other financial institution can take just minutes. If your employer has a pension plan, you should know the formula it uses to calculate retirement benefits. Use that knowledge to decide the right time to change jobs or retire.

Review your annual Social Security statement to see how much you may receive at age 62, at full retirement age, and at age 70. Think about when the right time will be for you to start receiving benefits. The earlier you receive them, the smaller your monthly benefit will be. If you file for Social Security before full retirement age but continue to work, your Social Security benefits may be reduced for that year if you earn more than a certain amount ($13,560 for 2008). Your benefit will be recalculated at full retirement age if you earn enough to lose some of those benefits, so that you aren't permanently penalized for taking benefits early unless you actually received them.

Look for other sources of retirement income. Do you own rental property? Perhaps you sold property or a business and will receive payments for a number of years. Ideally, you should have some income that is guaranteed (like your Social Security or pension check) and have other funds that you can draw on as needed. Working in retirement is another way to increase your income, but many people's health doesn't allow them to work as long as they would like.

You will have to manage the money in your IRAs, 401(k)s and other investments to make them last during your retirement. One place to start learning about investing is University of Illinois Extension's website, Plan Well, Retire Well: Your how-to guide at www.RetireWell.uiuc.edu. This website can help you think through your retirement plans and choose appropriate investment options.

From the Fields

By Jim Morrison

"What's that gallon milk jug wired to the post all about?" A farmer asked me that question recently as I was checking the plastic container, which also serves as a western bean cutworm pheromone trap.

Monitoring for the western bean cutworm moth, using plastic milk jugs and a specific lure, began in late-June and will continue till mid-August. Results from the monitoring effort across the Midwest are reported on Iowa State University's "Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Network", www.ent.iastate.edu/trap/westernbeancutworm

Historically, the western bean cutworm has been a pest in the western cornbelt but over the last few years it has moved east across Iowa. The pest was first detected in Illinois in 2004 in Warren County. The larva of the insect feeds on both corn and dry beans, affecting both yield and quality of the crop. Unlike cutworms, the western bean cutworm is a late-season pest of corn feeding mainly on the ears, predisposing them to disease infections.

In corn, the female moth lays their eggs on the upper surfaces of leaves. After hatching, the larvae pass through five instars and feed on host plants for about 30 days.

Newly hatched larvae move from the leaves to the corn whorls to feed on the tassels and then to the silks. As the larvae and corn ears develop, the larvae begin feeding on ear tips. An ear may be infested by more than one larva, and this feeding can cause economic damage.

In Illinois, the western bean cutworm has been more commonly found in northwestern and north-central counties. More information will be shared as the growing season progresses. A fact sheet on the western bean cutworm can be found at this University of Illinois web site: http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/fieldcrops/insects/western_bean_cutworm/index.html

Get That 'Wow' Sensation

Summer & Fall Blooming Trees, Vines & Shrubs

Most people think of spring blooming trees and shrubs such as dogwoods, crabapples, forsythia, viburnums and lilacs. They provide a colorful backdrop to spring's unfolding leaves, tulips, daffodils and the singing cardinals.

University of Illinois Extension is offering a program to show that there are several trees and shrubs that bloom during the summer and fall, also providing some interesting landscaping effects when most woody ornamentals are simply green leaves. These blooming plants create drama and excitement in the landscape, and stimulate a "wow" feeling.

Late season blooming plants include Baccharis (Ground-sel), Heptacodium (Seven-Sons Tree), Koelreutia (Goldenraintree), Callicarpa (Beautyberry) and many hydrangeas.

Besides drawing attention to these non-spring blooming ornamentals, the program will also deal with their care including hardiness concerns.

The program will be held at the Mt. Carroll Extension Office Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm. or Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:00 pm or in the Elizabeth Extension Office Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm. This "telenet" program will feature color power point slides accompanied by the live voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate at once. You will have the chance to ask questions at the end of the program.

There is a nominal fee for the session. Advance registration is needed. Phone 815-244-9444 to attend in Mt. Carroll or 815-858-2273 to attend in Elizabeth. If you have disability needs, please indicate when registering.

Risk Management Purchase Requirement Waiver For 2008 Crop Year

Illinois Farm Service Agency State Director William Graff announced today that in order to be eligible for the new disaster programs created under the title, "Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance," producers must purchase at least CAT level of crop insurance for all insurable crops and/or NAP coverage for non-insurable crops. Sales closing dates for CAT and application closing deadlines for NAP have passed for the 2008 crop year for nearly all insurable and non-insurable crops. A waiver has been authorized in the 2008 Act to allow producers to pay, within 90 calendar days of enactment (September 16, 2008), a buy-in fee to be eligible for Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance for crops which they did not purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage for 2008.

Five new Supplemental Disaster Assistance Programs were created, four of which are subject to the Risk Management Purchase Requirement waiver and are as follows:

· Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program

· Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)

· Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

· Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP)

And the:

· Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) which is exempt from the Risk Management Purchase Requirement (does not require a waiver).

For 2009, insurance or NAP coverage will be required and the sales closing dates for some crops is earlier than the purchase waiver deadline for 2008. The sales closing dates for value loss crops, such as Christmas trees, is September 1, 2008, for fall seeded small grains September 30, 2008, and for perennial crops November 20, 2008.

It is recommended that each participant check with your insurance agent or the local office to verify the sales closing dates for specific crops. Failure to insure crops or to obtain NAP coverage will cause an ineligibility condition for Supplemental Disaster Assistance Programs.

$400 Penny May Be Yours

Have you heard of the rare nickel that recently sold for $3 million? How about the dime that sold for over $10,000? Did you know that a penny found in a "Leave a Penny, Take a Penny" tray at a gas station later sold for $400? The truth is that there are many coins worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. You may own some of them and not know it. You're not alone. Most people don't know how much their coins are worth.

Now you can find out.The First State Bank of Shannon has arranged for professional numismatist, Ron Beckstrom, a dealer-member of the American Numismatic Association,to appraise your coins for free. Ronis an expert in rare coins and paper money andwill be available toevaluate your items atthe bank from 8:00 am until noon on Saturday, October 25th. He will also buy them, if you desire. He also can appraise your unwanted gold jewelry. Dig through the closets and dresser drawers and bring in those coins about which you've always wondered. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one with a penny worth $400!

For more information, contact First State Bank of Shannon at 815-864-2111.

July NARFE Meeting

Chapter 604 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association will hold their monthly meeting at 12 noon Thursday July 17, 2008, at the House of Events in Savanna, Illinois. A luncheon buffet will be available at noon for those who wish to eat. The business meeting and program will follow at 1 p.m. Join us and be involved in protecting your future! All active and retired federal employees, spouses and survivors, are cordially invited.

Carroll County 4-H Pork Chop Barbecue

The Carroll County 4-H will be holding a Pork Chop Barbecue on Sunday, August 3 at the 4-H Fair exhibit building located at the Milledgeville Fairgrounds. Serving will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

A one chop sandwich meal is $6.00 and a two chop sandwich meal will be $7.00. Dinner includes chop sandwich, baked beans, apple sauce, chips and drink. Dine in or carry out will be available. Will be held rain or shine.

For advance tickets contact any Carroll Co. 4-H member or Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension Office at 814-244-9444. Walk-ins are welcome. Enjoy a good meal and see the 4-H'ers projects and their accomplishments in the 4-H Exhibit Building. The Clothing project members will present a style show at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Tent. On display for bidding will be the silent auction baskets in the exhibit building.

Manzullo Hails Decision to Lift Ban on Offshore U.S. Oil Drilling

House Democrat leaders only obstacle left to abundant American energy supplies

WASHINGTON - Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today hailed President Bush's decision to lift the decades-old executive order banning drilling of oil and natural gas along the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as a way to ease our dependence on costly foreign oil and reduce gas prices in America.

Although the President lifted the executive ban today, the Democrat-controlled House and Senate maintain a Congressional ban on offshore drilling. Unfortunately, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is refusing to allow a vote on legislation to lift the Congressional ban, despite the fact that many Democrat Members of Congress support offshore drilling. Conservative estimates indicate the OCS contains 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

"We are one vote away from easing our dependence on costly oil and reducing gas prices in America," Manzullo said. "I urge Speaker Pelosi to allow us to vote to end the Congressional ban on offshore drilling so we can increase our supplies of homegrown energy. Americans have had enough of these record gas prices and higher natural gas prices are just around the corner. It's time for Congress to act."

More than 112 billion barrels of oil exist within our borders and along our shores ­ enough to power 60 million cars for 60 years ­ and Americans should be allowed to extract the oil as part of our plan to reduce surging gas prices in America, Manzullo said. Unfortunately, House Democrat leaders have refused to call for a vote any legislation that allows extraction for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR ­ exploration would occur on 2,000 acres of the 19 million acre refuge), along the Outer Continental Shelf off our coasts (Congress banned drilling along the OCS in 1981), and on other federal lands in the United States. Manzullo added there are now more environmentally friendly and safer offshore oil and gas extraction methods today.

Manzullo's 12-point plan to reduce surging gas prices in America, unveiled last month, includes provisions to increase domestic production of oil and gas as well as 11 other points calling for enhanced conservation efforts, development and commercialization of alternative and renewable fuels, and tax relief. To view Congressman Manzullo's 12-point gas price relief plan, visit http://manzullo.house.gov/UploadedFiles/gas%20price%20relief%20plan%2008.doc.

Meet Felix. He is a big boy, but he doesn't think he is too big to be a lap cat. He loves attention and has a laid back, sweet personality. Felix has been at the shelter for a long time, and he would love a family of his own. Call 815-244-6543 or 273-3183 for an appointment to come to the shelter to meet Felix and the many cats and kittens ready for adoption.

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