CCFB News» June 2025

Growing up, the start of summer was a celebration. I couldn’t wait to run out of school on the last day of class to a summer full of possibilities and fun.

I spent most of my summer vacation swimming in our backyard pool, playing on my swing set, reading at least 100 books, and playing video games with my cousin. I used to love drawing in chalk on the concrete sidewalk in front of my house knowing that the next rainstorm would create a new blank canvas. I also loved riding my bicycle up and down our gravel road, playing baseball and basketball, and helping my mom in our garden.

Summer doesn’t have to be big vacations, expensive trips, or wild adventures. You can have a lot of fun by staying close to home.

A few ideas for a fun summer day with agricultural ties:

• Have a Picnic – You can go to a park or lay a blanket in your backyard to enjoy the nice summer weather and homemade food. I’d recommend trying out a recipe from CCFB’s 2025 Local & Fresh Recipe Collection or a Recipe of the Month.
• Visit a Farmer’s Market – Shop local and buy fresh produce at a Cook County farmer’s market. For a listing of markets, visit the Ag Resources/ Farmer’s Market page under the Discover Local tab of our website, www.cookcfb.org.
• Watch Something Grow – Whether you plant something yourself or visit a garden, don’t forget to take time to touch grass and enjoy nature. Try growing from food leftovers, such as green onions, tomato seed sprouts, and planting celery’s base.
• Sidewalk Art – Make your own colorful chalk by mixing equal parts cornstarch and water, adding food coloring, and then either using the mixture directly with a paintbrush or letting it harden in molds to create solid chalk sticks. You can use silicone molds or cupcake baking tray or toilet paper rolls.
• Take a Road Trip – Look for ideas on places to travel for a Cook County road trip in this month’s Ag Adventure.
• Discount Tickets – Cook County Farm Bureau members receive a discount on movie theater, Santa’s Village, and Raging Waves Waterpark tickets. Call our office at 708-354-3276 for more information.