Current Updates

July 1^st marks the start of our ½ Year Dues membership campaign. New farmer members, who sign up between July 1 and August 31^st, pay the pro-rated $30 and receive their choice of a $35 box of beef from Indian Knoll Cattle or a $35 certificate from CCFB to Fishers Meat Market. This makes your first six months of membership, virtually free!

We also have our SIGN and SAVE campaign. If you are a farmer member and recommend a new farmer member to CCFB, we’ll credit $10 towards your next year’s membership. Meaning, if you recommend or sign six farmer memberships, your 2009 membership is FREE!

Also, volunteers that recruit 3 or more farmer members will be entered into a $500 drawing for a gift certificate to a store of his or her choice. If you have questions, please call us at 824-2940 or email us at ccfb@ctitech.com.

The Ag Appreciation Luncheon will be hosted at the Christian County Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 10, at 11:30 a.m. We have approximately 75 tickets here at our office. The tickets are free. There are additional tickets available at the CC Soil and Water Office and the U of I Extension Office. If for any reason you cannot pick up a ticket, please call our office and we can mail them to you.

Designed to enhance IFB’s existing policy development process, GrassRoots Issue Teams (or GRITs) are comprised of IFB members who have demonstrated leadership or interest in promoting their commodities or issues and who will work on behalf IFB members across the state. GrassRoots Issue Teams work with local county leaders to identify issues that should be discussed the local level as part of IFB’s traditional policy development process. As leaders IFB’s policy development process, GRIT members are provided opportunities to participate in Leaders to Washington programs, foreign trade missions, and leadership opportunities.

Members of each GRIT will hear from top trend setters in agriculture. They will learn what innovations, ideas, and technology will be impacting Illinois agriculture. They will help identify the key roles a general farm organization such as Illinois Farm Bureau must take in order to better serve members and help improve the member’s bottom line as agriculture grows into the 21st century.

Each person is appointed to a team for one year and may be reappointed. Each team will meet two to three times a year as appropriate. Meetings may be supplemented by periodic mailings and conference calls.

The 2008 IBA Summer Tour and Conference will feature wide variety of events and activities for beef producers who wish to relax and enjoy a short get-away from their daily schedule!

Randy Faber, IBA President, would like to invite all who are interested in beef production to attend this event, which will offer farm tours as well as educational sessions. “Each year the Summer Tour and Conference is held in a different part of the state, offering everyone the chance to be part of this feature event of the Illinois Beef Association,” says Faber.

“There are beautiful farms and interesting sights to see in central Illinois and the IBA staff has worked to put together a tour that will showcase producers that have interesting projects going on, as well as including some of the areas attractions, such as the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library,” he adds.

The Crowne Plaze in Springfield will serve as headquarters for the event. Thursday, June 26, will feature farm tours in the Shelbyville-Pana area, and will end with an old-fashioned picnic featuring IAMP Beef Innovation Award-Winning Imboden Meats’ Black & Blue Burgers- complete with homemade ice cream.

Friday morning begins with an update from the IL Dept. of Ag followed by Dale Durchholz, from Agri-Visor with an economic forecast. Attendants are free in the afternoon to visit the Abraham Lincoln Museum and the historic downtown Springfield area. Prairie Hill Winery in Oakford will entertain the group Friday evening with a Murder Mystery Dinner, “No Schick Sherlock.”

Saturday morning begins with the IBA Annual Meeting, followed by a thought-provoking session on “Wrestling with Input Costs.” Paul Walker, ISU will present some alternative feed ideas. Alan Miller, Gridley, will lead a hands-on exercise to help producers determine what their cow costs are.

The IBA Awards luncheon will honor the Environmental, Commercial and Purebred Seedstock Award winners. The Illinois Beef Farm Family of the Year will be announced also.

Tickets for the event are on sale at the IBA office, 217-787-4280, or email Linda@illlinoisbeef.com. Reservations should be made by June 15. Hotel reservations should be made directly to the Crowne Plaza at 217-529-7777 by June 8 to receive special rate.

Justin Adcock of Moweaqua, Shauna Fahl of Palmer and Eddie Kahle of Taylorville were selected as the recipients of the 2008 Christian County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship program. The CCFB Foundation increased their financial investment to three, $1000 scholarships for the ’08 program.

Justin Adcock, of Moweaqua majors in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. Justin currently is the President of the Illinois Junior Angus Association and Treasurer of the Illinois Junior Simmental Association. In college, he has been involved with the Hoof-n-Horn Club and a member of the University of Illinois Livestock Judging Team. Growing up, Justin was a 4-H and FFA member and has been involved with his family’s cattle and grain operation. Following graduation, Justin plans to attend graduate school in animal sciences with a concentration in cow/calf nutrition and reproduction. His goal is to eventually earn his Ph. D. and be employed in the cattle industry in a university or research related career.

Shauna Fahl, of Palmer also attends the University of Illinois and majors in Agri-Accounting. Throughout high school, Shauna was involved with student council, athletics, FFA and was a class officer. Additionally, she was an Illinois State Scholar, a State Journal Register Scholar Athlete and Valedictorian of her graduating class. Now in college, she is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and a member of the 2007 Dean’s List. Shauna plans to apply her accounting skills in the production, processing and retaining sectors of agriculture and become a CPA in the future.

Edward Kahle, of Taylorville will be attending the University of Illinois in the fall, 2008 semester. Academically, Kahle is an Illinois State Scholar and James Newton Matthews Scholar. At Taylorville High School, Edward was involved with student council, the envirothon team, jazz band, as well as football, track and tennis. He is additionally active with the Christian County YMCA, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and is an active volunteer and donor for the Central Illinois Blood Bank. Kahle’s family has been active grain farmers in Tazewell County and both of his parents were additionally agriculture majors at the University of Illinois. At college, Edward plans to major in Agricultural Engineering and Biological Sciences. Kahle believes his ag engineering major will allow him to help many farmers worldwide, whether it be working as an engineer for a farm equipment company or as a professor someday.

The 2009 Scholarship Applications will be available in February 2009. Please visit the CCFB Foundation link, located at www.farmbureaunews.com. The objective of the CCFB Foundation’s 2008 Scholarship program is to provide scholarships to students who major in agriculture, agribusiness or an ag-related course of study. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of exceptional scholastic ability and/or financial need.

For more information on the CCFB Foundation, please contact Manager, Eric Johnson at 217-824-2940 or via email at ccfb@ctitech.com.

The Springfield State-Journal Register reports that the Illinois Department of Agriculture has decided to make voluntary for the 2008 calendar year a rule that would have required anyone wanting to show livestock or horses at state, county, 4-H or FFA fairs to provide a “premises identification number” specifying where the animal is usually kept.

Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Paris Ervin said Friday the agency has decided the new rule will be voluntary for the rest of 2008. Department officials also working with industry groups about premises registration “to come up with a plan that everyone is happy with,” she said.

Last week, Rockies Express and the IL Dept. of Ag signed an agricultural construction mitigation agreement. The agreement sets forth certain minimum construction standards for the entire Illinois section of the project. Nearly all the provisions we requested were accepted including a minimum of 5 feet of top cover in most cropland areas, which has been the most contentious issue being negotiated over the last eighteen months. IDOA will be mailing copies of this agreement to all affected landowners. CCFB received our copy today [3/25]. We will be providing more details in the future. For more information visit our county pipeline link, http://www.farmbureaunews.com/project.htm. We have not posted the new agreement. Once we have an electric copy, we will post this to the link.

LINCOLNLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OFFER WINTER AGRI COMP COURSES - - Click here

CCFB Wins 2007 President’s Award…IFB’s Highest Honor

For the second time in four years, Christian County Farm Bureau was awarded IFB’s top honor, The IFB President’s Award. The award is given to four county Farm Bureaus, 1 per membership division, for program excellence and achievement.

Christian County was also awarded the Most Outstanding Project Awards in the Legislative Division for their February Reception, Communication & Promotion for the CFB Online DVD and Promotional Video and in the Policy Development Division for the “Pulse on Agriculture” Policy Radio Show.

Even though it was a very successful year at the IAA Annual Meeting, we will re-visit our goals at this month’s board meeting and see how we can move forward and help you with issues that are affecting you in 2008. CCFB vows to stay strong and set goals that will benefit Christian County producers.

Pictured here are CCFB President and Manager RD Elder and Eric Johnson.

CCFB Pushes Improvements to IFB’s Mineral Interests Policy at IAA Annual Meeting

The changes and improvements that CCFB submitted on Mineral Interests Policy #30, were approved! CCFB delegates were extremely please to get this passed. There was a high degree of discussion on this issue. CCFB President RD Elder strongly defended Central Illinois Farmers throughout the discussion. As the discussion progressed, additional counties such as Saline, Franklin and Clinton spoke up in support of our resolution which helped CCFB to get it passed.

Following the discussion, counties such as Franklin CFB offered their support to us, in our plans to make additional improvements to Illinois Legislation. Watch for more details here at www.farmbureaunews.com in the near future.

Once the new copies are printed of the adopted resolutions, we will email and post the new mineral interests policy.

FERC Pipeline Public Scoping Meetings [REX PIPELINE]

The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) has issues the draft Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] for the REX East Pipeline Project. As part of the process, FERC has arranged a series of public scoping meetings to allow for public comment on the draft EIS. These meetings are hosted by FERC.

Here is a schedule of the meeting closest to Christian County, if you would like to attend.

Click here to view FERC’s comment procedures and Public Meeting Information

More IFB Annual Meeting Re-caps

Reacting strongly to new University of Illinois farm lease policies, Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) delegates passed resolutions calling for changes in a practice they argue poses long term problems at the expense of short term returns.

The new policy language is a formal response to recent U of I Board of Trustee decisions to seek competitive cash bids for thousands of acres of university-owned farmland across the state.

In a lengthy debate at the organization’s annual meeting, delegates resolved to “encourage public universities to utilize more equitable and risk-sharing adjustable rate leases rather than a competitive bidding cash rent lease process on university-owned farm land.”

Some delegates expressed concern about escalating cash rents and their long term impact on land stewardship and the economies of rural Illinois communities. These concerns were reflected in a second resolution passed in response to the UI lease policy.

Illinois Farm Bureau went on record in support of a comprehensive flood control plan for the Mississippi River that would allow levees to be raised to 500-year flood frequency protection levels along the river north of St. Louis.

The delegate body accepted the recommendations of IFB’s Floodplain Task Force which studied various flood control alternatives being developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The task force report recommended support for a plan which would improve levees and protect floodplains for farming and economic development.

The plan would allow levy districts south of St. Louis to maintain their current level of flood protection and seeks “full federal funding” for those improvements.

Delegates also served notice to the Illinois Department of Agriculture that they are unhappy with the state’s decision to require livestock premise identification for all young people showing livestock in county, 4-H, FFA, and the Illinois State Fair.

State officials imposed the requirement to increase the percentage of registered livestock operations for animal identification purposes. The percentage of registered livestock premises has been stuck at 30-percent, short of the “critical mass” department officials feel is necessary for effective 48-hour disease trace back.

While delegates agreed to continue to support efforts to promote voluntary premise registration, they pointed out logistical problems with IDOA implementing its policy on livestock fair entries.

As some state leaders consider ways to increase revenues, IFB delegates expressed official opposition to state gross receipts or value-added taxes. They also oppose leasing the Illinois State Lottery.

Grain and livestock producer Philip Nelson of Seneca was re-elected to a third, two-year term as president of the association. Randolph County grain producer Rich Guebert was also re-elected as vice president.

Illinois Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization reaching a record 419,934 members in 2007.

Changes in the GM Private Offer for CCFB Members

Remember membership with CCFB is a great value! GM will provide a $500 private offer toward the purchase of lease of most new GM vehicles. A $750 private offer is available toward the purchase or lease of a new GM E85 Flex Fuel. To learn more about flex fuel vehicles, you can visit http://www.gm.com/explore/livegreengoyellow/.

The private offer is now available through January 2^nd, 2009. To redeem, show your authorization number to your GM dealer. To obtain your authorization number, visit https://www.exclusivegmoffer.com/ip-gmpop/initPop.do?program=ilfb.

You must now be a member of Illinois Farm Bureau for at least six months prior to date of delivery to be eligible for this private offer. Members are welcome to combine this offer with many current incentives, including GM Business Choice. For more information click on the link listed above.

ISU WIND FARM CONFERENCE

Illinois State University is hosting a conference December 13^th in Peoria on the siting and taxing of wind farms. Conference attendance is open to all. Registration information and the agenda are available at www.wind.ilstu.edu.

If you would like to attend, CCFB will pay the registration fee for the first 3 members who contact us with interest. Registration fee is $35. You will merely be asked to provide a follow-up report at one of the winter CCFB Board Meetings.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

VALUABLE MARKETING INFORMATION TO BE OFFERED!

AG OUTLOOK PROGRAM

JANUARY 17^TH- THE LANDING at LINCOLN TRAIL GOLF COURSE

January 17^th will mark our second outlook program at The Landing at Lincoln Trail Golf Course. Our meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.

At this event, the Stewart Peterson Group of West Bend, Wisconsin will be our key presenters. Stewart-Peterson specializes in assisting people in the use of the commodity markets. We offer brokerage services and advisory publications to assist farmers and ranchers with marketing decisions. The latest satellite and Internet communication systems are used to advise clients daily of changing market conditions.

Their clear and concise market recommendations and consistent, predictable approach to marketing has allowed Stewart-Peterson to be one of the largest agricultural publishing firms in the country. Their extensive base of individual customer accounts, contacts with a widely diversified clientele and our educational marketing services add up to a vast resource of information.

Stewart-Peterson is also the home of AgEdNet.com, a cutting edge tool for high school agricultural departments. AgEdNet.com is an electronic ag curriculum and news service for high school ag teachers and students. Features include the top ag news with a weekly quiz, FFA information, reference material and almost 1,000 classroom-ready lessons. Visit AgEdNet.com at http://www.agednet.com for a closer look.

This event will be sponsored by Christian County Farm Bureau, Christian County Farmer’s Supply and People’s Bank & Trust.

If you are interested in teaming up with CCFB to host future marketing events for farmers, please email us at ccfb@ctitech.com.

TAYLORVILLE HOME TOUR

Carriage Lane is the theme for the 18^th Annual Christmas Home Tour on December 7^th. The Christian County Farm Bureau thanks the Taylorville Tourism Council for their work to promote Taylorville and Christian County.

Click here for details: http://www.visittaylorville.com/2007_tour.htm

The Christian County Farm Bureau Foundation raised $1700 on November 2^nd during their 2^nd Annual Silent Auction. This event was held in conjunction with the 89^th CCFB Annual Meeting at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.

The funds raised from this auction will be used for the 2008 CCFB Scholarship Program. The CCFB FOUNDATION program awards scholarships to Christian County students pursuing a career in agriculture. In addition, the CCFB foundation donates to the Christian County Ag Literacy Program, which reaches thousands of elementary and middle school students in Christian County.

Other upcoming fundraisers will include the 2008 CCFB Foundation Golf Classic will be Saturday, May 3^rd at Lincolntrail Golf Course in Taylorville. If you would like to donate to the CCFB Foundation or discover more information, please email us at ccfb@ctitech.com.

Currently, Christian County has more than 215, 50 plus year members. Pictured here are more than sixty 50 plus year members in Christian County Farm Bureau. These individuals were recognized at the 89^th CCFB Annual Meeting. Look for more information on the 50 year recognition in the upcoming newsletter.

Penny Bliler was recognized as the volunteer recruiter of the year. In 2007, Penny signed 5 new farmer members into CCFB. Penny was awarded a $100 Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. Pictured is Penny speaking and introducing the 2008 Gene Long “I will” Volunteer Award

Fred Vangeison, was awarded the I WILL award, which is presented to the director who shows the best volunteerism at FB programs during the year. This award was developed in the early 90’s in honor of former CCFB Director, Gene Long.

Doug McKinnie is pictured here receiving his gift certificate for the 2007 FB Agent of the Year. This prize is awarded for recruiting the most members amongst county agents into FB. Congratulations and thank you Doug for a tremendous year!