CCFB News» December 2022

At the November 9, 2022 meeting of the Cook County Farm Bureau Board, following the Annual Meeting, the Directors elected its leadership team for the upcoming year. The following individuals were selected to lead the Cook County Farm Bureau in 2023.

This fall, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is sending the 2022 Census of Agriculture to nearly three million ag producers across the country, including all of the farms and producers in Cook County. NASS is trying to get as many internet responses as possible, so survey codes for responding securely online were sent in November, with paper questionnaires mailed out in December. Online responses will save taxpayer dollars by eliminating the need for data entry and saving postage and paper.

Networking, teaching, and bringing home marketing tools were key takeaways from Illinois attendees of the National Agricultural Marketing Summit. The summit, in which Illinois Farm Bureau was a sponsor and partner, was held Oct. 23-25 in Pensacola Beach, Florida.

2023 Farmland Questionnaire/Affidavit for farmland status in Cook County should be sent out by the Cook County Assessor soon. The filing deadline date is January 31, 2023, and the forms must be notarized. Cook County Farm Bureau does have 2 staff members who are notaries and will notarize documents free of charge (please call in prior to stopping in the office to verify their presence).

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.

Janet McCabe, President; Jim Gutzmer, Chairman of the Cook County Farm Bureau Credentials Committee and the Nominating Committee; and Ruth Zeldenrust, Secretary-Treasurer, led the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Cook County Farm Bureau held November 9, 2022.

During the 102nd annual meeting of the Cook County Farm Bureau, Professional Member Greg Stack was elected to the Cook County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

In order to establish a client base in Cook County for all urban farmers and producers to be served through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, there is currently a campaign to have urban farmers and producers complete the form necessary to become FSA customers.

In November, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 22-5345 to create a Class 7d property tax incentive to spur and support the establishment or expansion of grocery stores in food deserts.

Election night came and went in my household. Like in 2020, my farmer and I voted by mail. Together we sat on the couch researching candidates and filling in circles. It was enjoyable. And a little strange. My farmer will tell you that each election I remind him that he can’t complain about the election outcome. Politics. Policy decisions. Or elected officials without voting.

Eva Manzke, a third and fourth grade teacher at Walker Elementary School in Bedford Park, is the recipient of the 2023 Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award.

On November 2, 15 students from four Cook County schools attended the Cook County Farm Bureau’s Ag Leadership Academy, held at Green Era Sustainability, 650 W. 83rd St. in Chicago.

Participating schools included Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, Rolling Meadows High School, Rich Township High School, and Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: and one of the most agricultural, as well! Almost every winter holiday tradition has roots in agriculture.

Recipe printed with permission from member, Michael O'Brien, Summit.

For the family’s love of homemade cinnamon rolls, I quietly step through the silence of our predawn home and into the kitchen to get rolling. Still dark outside, I work from the glow of Christmas tree and the light of the kitchen island, where I had staged the final roll-making supplies the night before. I softly stream holiday music and savor the early morning peace, interrupted only by the tick of a warming stove and gentle blow from the furnace vents. That moment continues a home-baked holiday tradition at least three generations old, taught by my mother and grandmother before me. Now, my daughter often joins me.

Engaged with Members and guest by hosting a "Learn to Make a Holiday Swag for Home Decor" workshop, also allowing us to promote our local member Ag business, West End Florist

Dear Santa,

I thought you might not be real but then I found your Facebook page. I hope that the recent META layoffs don’t end up damaging your communications with your many fans this season.

From the movies I watched about you, you seem quite powerful, and you certainly seem to be a fan of “good”. I believe that I’ve been a very good Farm Bureau manager this past year. Therefore, I thought I would draft a letter to you with some requests in case you would be willing to make a difference.