Carroll County Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch, Farm Bureau Manager

I find myself having a tougher and tougher time each week coming up with my column. A lot of that probably has to do with running circles for so long and then when I go to sit down I can’t even remember what I was going to do let alone say!

The hot topic of conversation is the heat and the drought. I have begun to think that those dark clouds are completely dried up. I see them pass over us every so often believing something wet will fall from them, only to feel a drop, two if I am lucky…and then have them pass by.

Farmers wanting to meet fresh produce buyers are invited to attend a Meet the Buyers event scheduled for August 28 at Highland Community College Conference Center, Freeport.  This is a special multi-county event. Hosts include area county Farm Bureaus, Illinois Farm Bureau, U of I Extension, Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“The Meet the Buyer events have proven to be popular venues for farmers who want to make contact with decision makers of grocery stores, foodservice distributors, restaurants, and other types of market channels,” states Cynthia Haskins, manager of business development and compliance, Illinois Farm Bureau.

Buyers will be in attendance to provide an overview of their organization and their procurement needs. Farmers will have the opportunity to meet with buyers one-on-one. 

The day will be kicked off by John Pike, University of Illinois-Extension, presenting MarketReady and Ellen Phillips will be presenting Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) training sessions.  “Market Ready” is a program designed to teach best commercial business practices between growers and various retail markets.  GAPS are a set of recommendations that can help improve the quality and safety of the produce grown. Phillips and Pike will provide introductory information about these two programs.

A special chef-farmer networking reception will take place in the afternoon. Farmers will have an opportunity to visit with chefs one-on-one to learn their procurement interest for fresh produce, meats, dairy and value-added products.

The event is open to farmers from throughout Illinois and the region. Farmers may attend the event at no cost, but need to register by August 24. To register, contact the U of I Extension by phoning 815-235-4125 or online at {http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw}.

It wasn’t too many years ago when the Farm Bureau “busy” season was seen as the winter months. There used to be many meetings throughout that time frame. However, with technology these days, meetings seem to have changed as people are now getting their information from other sources and when they want it. Summer has now become the busy season as we are focusing more on educating the non-farm public. A new program we started about three years ago was our summer library programs. This past week, we just finished up the July programs where we focused on pizza. Attendees were able to make their own pizza “garden” where they will grow wheat, oregano, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. We reached over 200 children this summer.

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: Light oak entertainment center 7ft, 3 pieces in excellent condition $150 OBO 815-651-0663

FS: 1986 Chevy S10 flatbed, 4cylinder, 5 speed $1,500 815-493-6818

WANTED: Barred Rock Chickens, hens only 815-291-3543

FS: 17ft registered fiberglass canoe $200 815-336-2552

For Sale: 2000 Chevrolet Tracker 2WD.  38000 miles.  PB, PS, 5spd trans, 4 cylinder engine.  35+ mpg.  Convertible.  Looks and drives as new.  You have to see this one.  Must sell ASAP.  $5500 OBO.  Call Lanark cell 815-821-4566 and ask for Justin.     

FS: 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab truck, 4x4 68,000 miles. Bed liner & cap, towing package, in excellent condition, loaded. $11,000 please call 815-493-8394

FREE: Free kittens, litter trained, handled often, raised around a dog 309-887-4390

FS: John Deere Chuck Wagon 716A on JD tandem running gear, fiberglass floor, excellent condition 815-499-0463

FS: Meyer Chuck Wagon rear unload, model #3118 on JD 770 tandem gear, like new! 815-499-0463

FS: Grooming Shout 815-291-1991

FS: 2008 Yamaha Y2250F in good condition $2,800 815-493-6076

FS: Box Flex Machine $400 815-493-6076

FS: Homegrown- tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. 815-225-7510

FS: 1986 Chevy Silverado 4x4, 64,000 original miles, new breaks & lines $4,500 OBO 815-541-7315

WANTED: Would like to buy electric stove in good condition 815-244-1130

FS: John Deere 2630 tractor $7,000 815-244-1130

FS: Good idea hay rake $500 815-244-1130

FS: John Deere 1219 Haybine $3,000 815-244-1130

FS: Ver Meier 605 H Bailer $2,000 815-244-1130