CCFB News» February 2021

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Feeding Minds Press has released a new book, “My Family’s Soybean Farm,” along with a companion educator guide.

Tyson Foods To Pay $221.5 Million To Settle Some Chicken Price-Fixing Claims (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc said it will pay $221.5 million to settle litigation by three groups of plaintiffs that accused it of illegally conspiring to inflate chicken prices.

Our new farm shadow program is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain valuable insight into potential agriculture careers. Through partnerships with our Farm Bureau Professional Members working within the ag industry, we hope to provide middle and high school students with an understanding of how their coursework connects to the variety of jobs in our field so they will come away with a better understanding of the skills needed to be successful.

All community-based urban gardens in Cook County are encouraged to apply. Grant details and applications are available through February 28.

A new year is upon us, bringing new experiences, new ambitions, and new challenges. For many, 2020 left us filled with disappointment, much like a recent conversation I had with my husband: “Welcome home, hubs. You’re not going to be happy about this, but…”

Farmland market proved once again this year that, even in a pandemic, it’s worth what it earns.

Farmers need to be aware of companies calling and offering services to help them comply with transportation regulations, warned Rodney Knittel, Illinois Farm Bureau assistant director of transportation and infrastructure.

Temporarily empty grocery store shelves and some meat packing plant closures last year as a result of the pandemic focused greater attention on the U.S. food and farming sector. At a featured session during the AFBF Convention entitled “The Post-COVID Consumer: What’s Top of Mind for Them,” participants discussed coronavirus-forced food trends that they believe will stick, and possible new ones still to come.

Some of the best things in life have humble beginnings. Like a morning that starts with helping your father milk cows, followed by a 17-mile drive to the local radio station, that eventually leads to a radio broadcasting career spanning six decades.

Mr. Kevin Gomes has been selected to lead the COUNTRY Financial® Chicago Northwest Agency with its main office in Schaumburg as agency manager effective February 1, 2021.

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its 14th Book of the Year award to Viola Butler for “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish.”

There seems to be a designated day to celebrate just about everything on the various calendar websites. I often glance through them and take note of some that strike me as special. One that stood out this month as particularly meaningful for our current times is called Random Acts of Kindness Day and takes place on February 17. A day to bring joy to the people you come across.

In celebration of the healthy and nutritious food grown and raised by local farmers, Cook County Farm Bureau® members and partners are supporting local families and food pantries.

Former Senator Iris Martinez and attorney Tammy Wendt joined Cook County government in December.

Special purpose districts are most often created to provide services that counties, municipalities, and townships are unable to provide due to financial constraints. Special purpose governments may be divided into two classes: school districts and all others. School districts that provide primary and secondary education have elected governing boards and taxing authority. The majority of other special purpose governments have their own funding mechanisms and are run by managers and governing bodies appointed by the county board.

Our household didn’t see the clock strike midnight. Didn’t toast 2021. And didn’t open all our doors and windows to usher out 2020. We ate our chili, did chores, and tucked into bed long before 2021 technically kicked off.

On a westward drive to the home farm, my eyes drift to the tree-lined grassy knoll atop the Southeast Field. From that hilltop a good half mile off the gravel road, you can take in one of the best views of the home farm. Add in a brilliant sunset, and my heart feels the praise that we vocalize in unison at Sunday worship: God is good.

The 2021 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.

My brother and his wife live in what I consider one of the more remote areas in the state of Illinois, Brown County. Mount Sterling, the county seat, boasts a population of 2,100 or so and is the largest town in the county. The total population of Brown County is somewhere south of 7,000 residents. Adding in the deer population would likely double that number. The native standard dress attire is quite casual…mostly camouflage, flannel, and Carhartts. The deer are brown with white tails, also casual.