CCFB News» July 2020

In celebration of Cook County Farm Bureau’s 100th anniversary, board members selected and planted a White Oak tree at the Farm Bureau office in Countryside. The White Oak was named the official state tree of Illinois in 1973, following a special poll of 900,000 Illinois schoolchildren.

Farm-To-Table Dining Takes on New Meaning Amid Pandemic (WCIA) The farm-to-table movement in the United States has grown in recent years, as consumers have increasingly demanded locally sourced food. The movement has grown out of necessity because some producers can’t rely on the complex web of processors, distributors, and middlemen to get food to customers.

The impacts of COVID-19 will be felt for months to come. Families are suffering. Businesses are suffering. Farms are suffering. Together with members, Cook County Farm Bureau® and local farmers growing healthy and nutritious food are poised to provide local food pantries assistance during this difficult time in Illinois and the entire United States.

The course explores the causes of vehicle collisions (mental, physical and environmental factors) and teaches how defensive driving principles can prevent most of these costly incidents.

Each month we are highlighting a Cook County Farm Bureau Member: This month's "Face of CCFB" is... Mark & Donna Walsh, owner of M&D Farms & Garden Center.

Five things you should know about Cook County Farm Bureau.

Residents of 12 Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s agricultural pesticide “Clean Sweep” program.

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. With the event postponed there is still time to add your name on the patio.

Farmers who are ComEd customers can receive funds to assist with the cost of installing LED lights in their buildings, installing energy efficiency electrical equipment like electric motors, or installing or upgrading other electrical equipment.

In May, the General Assembly passed a series of bills putting the fiscal year 2021 budget before the Governor. The budget is a mirror of the current state budget. With the uncertainty of the state revenue stream it appears the immediate goal of the legislature was to get a spending plan in place to allow state government to operate and then they can follow up later in the fiscal year with supplemental appropriations.

We’ve been given a gift this spring and summer, the gift of time. This summer promises to hold fewer summer classes, camps, pool outings, sporting events, and parties to name a few.

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

Professional (PM) memberships are designed for those individuals who do not farm but work within the agriculture industry. The membership dues are only $36 per year. Associate members that are working in an agriculture related job or an agriculturally related career are eligible for an upgrade of membership from an Associate membership to Professional membership.

Eleven years ago, on one hot Father’s Day, our blue-eyed girl quietly entered the world. Anyone who has met her will tell you that 11 years ago was literally the last time she did anything quietly. In the last year, our blue-eyed girl has grown tremendously. As a young lady. As an agriculturalist. As a student. And as an equine enthusiast.

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.

I literally followed Mom’s footsteps into my gardening hobby. As a youngster, I walked behind my mom while she guided the tiller across the garden. When her heel lifted from the freshly tilled soil, I put mine down onto her footprint that formed in the soft black medium for vegetable seeds and transplants. I stretched to reach each footprint, careful not to step on her heel as she slowly guided the front-tine machine.

A recent road trip with my wife to see my parents at the farm in downstate Illinois was a pleasant reprieve from the stay-at-home, mundane months of the stay-at-home order. We had not seen them face-to-face since Christmas…not good execution of one of my New Year’s resolutions. The trip brought back some suppressed memories.