CCFB News» December 2021

Evening for Ag Education, A benefit for farm and food literacy in Cook County. More info to follow.

At the November 10th meeting of the Cook County Farm Bureau, following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors elected its leadership team for the upcoming year. The following individuals were selected to lead the Cook County Farm Bureau in 2022.

America Cheese Is Being Devoured in Asia, Export Data Show – U.S. exports of American cheese -- including the processed staple coveted for melty grilled cheese sandwiches -- are surging as buyers in Asia devour the stuff. (Bloomberg)

Contrary to popular belief, farmers are not responsible for the daylight-saving time we’ve come to enjoy (or dread, depending on your perspective) twice each year. While many believe it was meant to help them by giving them more hours in the field, many farmers were against it.

The Cook County Farm Bureau Board of Directors welcomes the following Cook County Farm Bureau members who joined the organization or reclassified their membership recently to *Regular or Professional Status.

Through a grassroots process, Farm Bureau members submitted the following resolutions to delegates at the 2020 Illinois Agricultural Association® annual meeting.

Cook County Farm Bureau® remains concerned about the financial implications of the guaranteed basic income proposals being discussed within local government circles. In general, guaranteed basic income provides monthly payments.

Cook County Farm Bureau® coordinated with Illinois Farm Bureau® regarding the Joliet Water Commission legislation. This legislation authorizes certain municipalities to form a water commission which could potentially impact local Cook County communities and landowners.

Illinois Farm Bureau® Board of Directors recently approved joining the North Carolina Farm Bureau’s amicus brief in support of the American Farm Bureau Federation®/National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) case opposing Prop 12. An amicus brief is a legal brief filed by someone who is not party to a case assists the court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues of the case.

My big-little boy is learning to read. Together we trudge through I Can Read Books. We laugh our way through graphic novels. And he studiously follows along with his audiobooks.

Thank you, Pat Horcher, owner of Horcher Farms & Country Flower Shop in Wheeling, for hosting and leading a Make a Holiday Planter & Bow Workshop for members and guests of the Cook County Farm Bureau on November 20! Participants got their creativity and festive cheer on; it was a great way to start the holiday season.

I missed early holiday shopping so no one on my list will be getting a Magic Cauldron or any magic as far as I can see. I’m not sure if the supply of them is stuck on a container, a truck, a factory, or if they are back in stock. As I read the description of this “must have” item I had a vision of my kids (20+ years ago) inviting their friends over to create this magic spilling out.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) guides state efforts to improve water quality by reducing nutrient levels in Illinois lakes, streams and rivers. The NLRS lays out a plan to leverage existing programs to optimize nutrient loss reduction across the state while promoting collaboration, research, and innovation across various sectors, including agriculture. The strategy outlines a comprehensive suite of best management practices (BMPs) for reducing nutrient loads from wastewater treatment plants and urban and agricultural runoff, as well as targeting the state’s most critical watersheds.

Recipe printed with permission from member, Sam Hayes

The first test of our marriage arrived with our first Christmas tree. I wanted the picture-perfect experience: Newlyweds strolling through the local tree farm. Big, falling snowflakes. Lots of laughter while wearing a cute stocking hat with matching mittens. You know, just in case someone would snap our photo for a magazine cover.

I have been writing about the Pillars of Agricultural Literacy – Understanding the intersection between agriculture and society. The last three months, I have reviewed pillars 1, 2, and 3. Now on to Pillar4: The relationship between Agriculture and Lifestyle.