CCFB News» June 2020

This annual fundraising event brings together farmer members, industry partners, and ag supporters all enjoying a great day in the name of education!

McDonald's sets conditions for Restaurant Re-openings- The Wall Street Journal – McDonald’s Corp. is asking restaurant owners in the U.S. to make dozens of changes to ease coronavirus concerns before reopening their dining rooms, including commitments to clean bathrooms every half-hour and digital kiosks after each order.

This spotlight is for local farmstands, farmers’ markets, chefs and restaurants and organizations that are hosting farm-related activities, events, workshops, and gatherings that will occur soon.

With interest in gardening at a high level, your CCFB went out to ask an expert about key gardening questions you should consider. We thank U of I Extension Master Gardener, Margaret Burns Westmeyer, for sharing her expertise.

In the early nineteenth century, Illinois was populated by two streams of migration. Those settlers who came from the middle states wanted small-scale government at the local level.

Five things you should know about COUNTRY Financial.

Each month we are highlighting a Cook County Farm Bureau Member: This month's "Face of CCFB" is... Marge Trocki, owner of Bee Wild Honey.

Submit photos of animals, including pets, livestock, and horses. Win one of three cash prizes in three difference categories.

Write your member of Congress and urge passage of the COVID-19 Relief Package! Please encourage your member of Congress to pass the next CARES ACT and prioritize agricultural issues to help steer farmers through this crisis.

Cookfresh® is an assistance program designed for Community Gardens in Cook County to beautify their “places and palates.” The Cookfresh Community Urban Garden Grant program offered six $300 grants to support urban agriculturists seeking assistance with a community garden. The community gardens will receive $350 in the form of Cook County Farm Bureau “Cookfresh Funds”.

The orioles brought much needed joy. There seems to have been such a lack of joy this past month, but perhaps I was thinking of the glass half empty vs. half full. I was missing the continuity of seeing our teachers, our presenters, my co-workers, family, and friends. Those sources of joy were absent, and I was not seeing the new signs of joy as I was so stressed about what was next in this new reality.

While the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many Americans to hoard toilet paper, I chose milk. I panic-purchased five gallons in late March for our family of four in case I needed to freeze some. Rather, we made smoothies and milkshakes to consume it before the best-by date.

Information on COVID-19 and available resources are changing daily; however, the following resources are available at the time of publication.

USDA released additional details today regarding the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP will provide $16 billion in direct support to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020 Cookfresh Recipe Collection is a special “throwback” edition for our 100th year. Recipes selected from decades of submissions to commemorate our Centennial. Recipe booklets are available now.

Six years ago, our big, little boy entered the world moments after his father finished planting soybeans. With his scrunchy face and no official eye color he managed to turn our entire family upside down.

Re-open Illinois. Re-open Cook County Farm Bureau®? We were fortunate that we never really closed, aside from that sign on our building doors in the village of Countryside that said we were working remotely.