CCFB News» July 2022

In 2022, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation recognizing August 1 as Sweetcorn Appreciation Day. The day commemorates all sweetcorn growers and farmers across the state.

While governed under state statute, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (5 ILCS 220/),  Article VII of the 1970 Illinois Constitution authorizes, and even encourages, the use of intergovernmental cooperation by all units of government. The constitution declares that “the state shall encourage intergovernmental cooperation and use its technical and financial resources to assist intergovernmental activities.” As formal as that sounds, these agreements can also be informal and, in some cases, temporary. A simple handshake between two units of government can lead to big savings for the taxpayer.

Illinois Farm Families Wins National Award- The Illinois Farm Families (IFF) coalition’s consumer engagement campaign to build trust in Illinois farmers and their farming practices was the recipient of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) prestigious Silver Anvil Award in the “Reputation Management” category.

Price is consumers’ top consideration when buying fresh fruits and vegetables, according to FMI. The Food Industry Association shared its annual “2022 Power of Produce” report.

The Biden administration plans to spend more than $2.5 billion to "transform" the country's food system. Called the "Food System Transformation framework," the wide-ranging strategy ultimately aims to improve food production, processing, distribution and consumer access.

Join us as we kick off the Cook County Farm Bureau Summer Selfie Contest!

We are holding this contest to obtain usable and appropriate photos that accurately portray today’s agriculture in Cook County. Win a cash prize or Farm Fresh Funds in June, July, and August by capturing the best photo from one of the selected categories. Don’t forget to include yourself in the “selfie”!

The Cook County Farm Bureau® and the University of Illinois Extension continue to partner on a project that benefits local Farm Bureau members and the general public.  During the growing season (April – November), Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from members and the general public related to gardening and horticulture.

Senate Bill 3189 now P.A. 102-1010 amends the Property Tax Code to provide that certain properties located in Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton, or Worth Townships may be certified as ‘southland reactivation property’.

A staple of Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is returning and bringing a farmer’s personal touch to classrooms across Cook County.

My name is Katrina Milton, and I am excited to have been named the next Director of Ag Literacy for the Cook County Farm Bureau. Diane Merrion will leave some pretty big shoes to fill, and I am working closely with her until her retirement to learn the ropes of the role.

All good books must come to an end, although many stay with you forever. My role at the Farm Bureau is also ending this month although the memories will remain forever. It’s been a wonderful journey started by Haley and Bob along with Jill and all my current and former peers.

More often than wars, global trade disputes or extreme weather events, insects, diseases and weeds threaten the nation’s food supply with relentless consistency, season after season.

Last fall Cook County Commissioners directed the Bureau of Human Resources to complete a compensation and market survey to determine if the current compensation provided to the Cook County elected officials is appropriate or if increases are warranted beginning in December of 2022 and December of 2024.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides state efforts to improve water quality by reducing nutrient levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The strategy lays out best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from point sources (e.g. wastewater treatment plants) and non-point sources (e.g. agricultural lands), with long-term goals of reducing loads of total phosphorus and nitrogen by 45%, with interim reduction goals of 15% nitrate-nitrogen and 25% total phosphorus by 2025.

One hot summer night when my farmer and I had recently started dating he persuaded me to help him spray our Crain Road fields. On the surface it was date night. Farm style. Complete with a tractor. Self-stable food. And a pull behind sprayer. In reality, he wanted someone to climb in and out of the tractor after each pass to count rows and point a flashlight at the row where he needed to turn. As a twitterpated teenager, I was happy to help. Even happier to stay out past curfew.

Engaged with several hundred zoogoers during a pollinator program at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

Deftly wielding kitchen utensils and carefully measuring ingredients, the chef stirs, then flips a pan to achieve a golden brown on evenly cooked ingredients. Unlike other chefs who spend years training and working in kitchens to perfect their skills, Chef Nala mastered a new recipe on her first try and is adept at any type of cuisine.

An evening of dining, drinks, live music, games, and fun’raising opportunities! Features include plated dinner, 4-hour beverage package, live band (Libido Funk Circus), live auction, truth or hogwash game, photo booth, and split-the-pot raffle!

Recipe printed with permission from member, Gibby's Gourmet Mushrooms, LLC

Join Cook County Farm Bureau and celebrate the tremendous contributions of pollinators during this educational and family-friendly free event.

Every day, our society is one step closer to becoming a real-life version of the “Jetsons”. For those of you who are “junior” in age, the Jetsons were a 60s’ cartoon starring a futuristic family and society featuring pushbutton modern conveniences, magical wireless connections, voice command AI robotics, and driver-free (flying) cars.