CCFB News» August 2019

Farmers may apply for Harvest Season Permits starting Sept.1, according to Kirby Wagner, Illinois Farm Bureau assistant director of transportation and infrastructure. Farmers statewide may apply for a special permit that allows up to a maximum 10% over their gross vehicle weight, axle weight and registered weight limits. For permits on state routes, farmers must obtain a permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

The Thank you Farmers® Project supports Ag education programs that encourage smart farming to ensure we have enough food for our growing population. Stop on by and support on Wednesday, August 28th, from 3-7 pm at the following locations Tinley Park, Matteson, Homewood & Orland Park.

Illinois the 11th State to Legalize Marijuana-FarmWeekNow Starting Jan.1, Illinois residents older than 21 will be able to possess up to nearly 1 ounce of marijuana, while nonresidents may have nearly a half-ounce. The state will license a maximum of 30 cultivation centers and up to 100 craft growers, which would have initial capacity of a maximum 5,000 feet of growing space. Current medical marijuana cultivation centers and dispensaries will be able to apply early for recreational marijuana licenses that will be regulated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Calling all teachers who can use some funding to start off the school year! The Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation® and Illinois Ag in the Classroom offer several grants for educators. Don't miss these opportunities to incorporate agriculture into your K-12 curriculum.

Soon you and your fiancé will promise to have and to hold each other, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part. 

“Have you ever, over a period of years, wanted to learn about something and not know how to go about it? That’s what this was for me. We were not a few minutes into the first presentation when I said to myself, ‘You are going to love this!’ And I did!!!” shared CPS teacher, Jill Dahl. 

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

Legislators tackled numerous issues during this year’s legislative session.  Most residents have experienced the increase motor fuel tax or have heard about increases to vehicle registration fees.  However, legislators approved a sleuth of legislation that most residents aren’t aware of.

Each month we are highlighting a Cook County Farm Bureau Members Relation Team Member: This month's "Face of CCFB" is... Tony Munno.

Members of the Young Leader Group brought Cook County Farm Bureau board members, friends and family to participate in a food packing effort at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora on June 18.

Recipe reprinted with permission from member Big John's Farm & Market , Chicago Heights subbmitted by Phyllis Henning, Lansing , from our 2019 Cookfresh Recipe Collection Brochure, available online at www.cookcfb.org/discover-local/recipes.

The Cook County Farm Bureau® is hosting its 3nd annual FARM CRAWL on Saturday, September 14, 2019 10 am-4 pm
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.

In July, the Preckwinkle administration released its preliminary budget estimates.  The anticipated budget gap is $18.7 million, significantly smaller than the $487 million gap in 2011.  Unlike past years, the gap will likely be closed without introducing new fees or taxes. Also, unlike past years, the county is expected to end its fiscal year with a $14 million surplus. 

Spots nibbles contently off the top of his feed pile. Hunter likes to burrow his face in the twice-daily ration, And Shadow attacks his feed trough like an alligator; the white pig with a shadow of red on his back swoops the length of the trough for a mouthful, lifts his head to swallow, and rapidly returns for more like a competitive eater.

“Students get interested in things they’re exposed to”. Dr. Temple Grandin, keynote speaker at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in June.

Let’s set the record straight.  Great statement.  Great thought. So, let’s set the record straight. I like shoes.  A lot of them.  I prefer boots and I have a rockin’ pair of Ariat that I save for special occasions.  They’ll return when the weather is cooler. During the summer I wear mainly running shoes.  I do chase pre-teen girls around the softball diamond after all. 

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.

There are people that have accomplished something extraordinary that the other 99% of the population does not, cannot or will not accomplish. I like to call these overachievers “The 1%”.