CCFB News» July 2019

Creating a legacy to mark the Centennial celebration of the Cook County Farm Bureau, the Farm Bureau and Foundation are partnering to create a Commemorative Patio on the grounds of the Cook County Farm Bureau.

Join us as we kick off the Cook County Farm Bureau® Photo Contest! We are holding this contest to obtain usable and appropriate photos that accurately portray today's agriculture in Cook County.

In conjunction with their 20th anniversary, Wagner Farms is planning a series of improvements to facilitate visitor flow, including reworking the crosswalk across Wagner Road and to increase accessibility for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, the farm will construct a farm-focused “playscape” in the now horse pasture.

The Farm Crawl is self-guided with no set schedules allowing members and the public flexibility to choose the farms and agri-businesses to visit during the Crawl times.

Come on Down to your local library Agriculture in the Classroom is excited to invite you to visit your local library.

Some facts on Chickens, From the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom 2018-19 Calendar for Teachers.

Farm-to-Table Dinners and Events are still in demand by consumers.

Visit Cook County Farm Bureau® member Farms, Greenhouse & Garden Centers for all your planting needs this Summer! 

Recipe reprinted with permission from members, Yvonne Massie, Mount Prospect, from our 2019 Cookfresh Recipe Collection Brochure, available online at www.cookcfb.org/discover-local/recipes.

Come join the Farm Bureau for some fun at Odyssey Fun Farm in Tinley Park, Saturday September 28, 2019 from 10 am-2 pm. Early Bird rate $17.00 ends 9/16/19.

Mr. Jeff Maxson was recently named Agency Manager for the Chicago South Agency of Country Financial. Maxson grew up in Wausau, WI and started his COUNTRY career in Las Vegas, Nevada after working for Case IH and Caterpillar. Jeff converted to career Rep in two years.

The Member Relations Team is seeking more Voting members this summer and requests our current members’ assistance in identifying prospects who may be interested in joining the organization.

Farm fields across the Midwest, throughout Illinois and throughout Chicagoland have been overly saturated with water due to unrelenting rainy conditions.

In recent years, Farm Bureau has played a pivotal role in a variety of policy discussions impacting local farmers and members.

Recipe reprinted with permission from members, Ray's Quality Greenhouse, Steger, from our 2019 Cookfresh Recipe Collection Brochure, available online at www.cookcfb.org/discover-local/recipes.

The only thing that is certain about life is that there will be changes. This could mean changes to your family situation, or changes in lifestyle, which are good times to talk with your insurance representative about your priorities and coverage.

Each month we are highlighting a Cook County Farm Bureau Young Leader Member: This month's "Face of CCFB" is... Rebecca Biernacki

As a young legislative staffer in Springfield, the end of session meant late nights and even later night celebrations.  The run up to the end of session isn’t for everyone you either love the pressure or you hate it-there’s no in-between.  My six years were during the infamous Blagojevich Administration. 

As I glanced through my Facebook posts, I came upon this piece posted by my sister-in-law and knew I wanted to share it with you. While I am not a farmer’s daughter, I felt her experience after reading the post.  

Some call this spring’s collision of farm stressors the perfect storm. Unprecedented planting delays trouble farmers throughout the Corn Belt. Long-duration flooding halts barge movement of crops and fertilizer. A trade agreement with our nation’s neighbors needs ratified to improve markets. Agency actions reduce ethanol volumes and thus corn demand.

I recently received a question from a Cook County young farmer inquiring about the history and relationship between the Extension Service and Cook County Farm Bureau. It is complicated, but I will try to simplify 150 years in 1,000 words or less!