News & Publications
AFBF releases new children's soybean book
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Feeding Minds Press has released a new book, “My Family’s Soybean Farm,” along with a companion educator guide.
Family Farm and Food Bytes
Tyson Foods To Pay $221.5 Million To Settle Some Chicken Price-Fixing Claims (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc said it will pay $221.5 million to settle litigation by three groups of plaintiffs that accused it of illegally conspiring to inflate chicken prices.
Teaching Students About Ag Careers
Our new farm shadow program is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain valuable insight into potential agriculture careers. Through partnerships with our Farm Bureau Professional Members working within the ag industry, we hope to provide middle and high school students with an understanding of how their coursework connects to the variety of jobs in our field so they will come away with a better understanding of the skills needed to be successful.
The Cook County Farm Bureau's Community Urban Garden Grant Program is looking to award six gardens a $350 grant!
The Cook County Farm Bureau's Community Urban Garden Grant Program is looking to award six gardens a $350 grant!
All community-based urban gardens in Cook County are encouraged to apply. Grant details and applications are available through February 28.
Making Your Goal a New Year's Reality
A new year is upon us, bringing new experiences, new ambitions, and new challenges. For many, 2020 left us filled with disappointment, much like a recent conversation I had with my husband: “Welcome home, hubs. You’re not going to be happy about this, but…”
Farmland values resilient through pandemic, poised to grow
Farmland market proved once again this year that, even in a pandemic, it’s worth what it earns.
Be Leery of Deals offering unneeded Transportation Compliance Services
Farmers need to be aware of companies calling and offering services to help them comply with transportation regulations, warned Rodney Knittel, Illinois Farm Bureau assistant director of transportation and infrastructure.
How Covid changed Consumer Preferences
Temporarily empty grocery store shelves and some meat packing plant closures last year as a result of the pandemic focused greater attention on the U.S. food and farming sector. At a featured session during the AFBF Convention entitled “The Post-COVID Consumer: What’s Top of Mind for Them,” participants discussed coronavirus-forced food trends that they believe will stick, and possible new ones still to come.
Samuelson retires after 60 years at WGN Radio
Some of the best things in life have humble beginnings. Like a morning that starts with helping your father milk cows, followed by a 17-mile drive to the local radio station, that eventually leads to a radio broadcasting career spanning six decades.
Gomes named to serve as Agency Manager, Country Financial® Chicago Northwest Agency
Mr. Kevin Gomes has been selected to lead the COUNTRY Financial® Chicago Northwest Agency with its main office in Schaumburg as agency manager effective February 1, 2021.
AFBF Announces Book of the Year Winner
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its 14th Book of the Year award to Viola Butler for “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish.”
5 Things you should know about...
The Cook County Farm Bureau Ag Literacy Team
Ag Lit Bit
Acts of Kindness
There seems to be a designated day to celebrate just about everything on the various calendar websites. I often glance through them and take note of some that strike me as special. One that stood out this month as particularly meaningful for our current times is called Random Acts of Kindness Day and takes place on February 17. A day to bring joy to the people you come across.
Cook County Farm Bureau to Support Cook County Families and Food Pantries as Part of Food Checkout Day 2021
In celebration of the healthy and nutritious food grown and raised by local farmers, Cook County Farm Bureau® members and partners are supporting local families and food pantries.
New Faces Join Cook County Government
Former Senator Iris Martinez and attorney Tammy Wendt joined Cook County government in December.
Inside the Courthouse: Clerk of the Circuit Court
Special purpose districts are most often created to provide services that counties, municipalities, and townships are unable to provide due to financial constraints. Special purpose governments may be divided into two classes: school districts and all others. School districts that provide primary and secondary education have elected governing boards and taxing authority. The majority of other special purpose governments have their own funding mechanisms and are run by managers and governing bodies appointed by the county board.
Manifolds, Manolos and Manure
Our household didn’t see the clock strike midnight. Didn’t toast 2021. And didn’t open all our doors and windows to usher out 2020. We ate our chili, did chores, and tucked into bed long before 2021 technically kicked off.
At The Farm Gate
Love for the land, Valentine month and beyond
On a westward drive to the home farm, my eyes drift to the tree-lined grassy knoll atop the Southeast Field. From that hilltop a good half mile off the gravel road, you can take in one of the best views of the home farm. Add in a brilliant sunset, and my heart feels the praise that we vocalize in unison at Sunday worship: God is good.
Recipe of the Month
Simple Garlic & Basil Pesto
The 2021 Cookfresh Recipe Collection is a special “throwback” edition for our 100th year. Recipes selected from decades of submissions to commemorate our Centennial. Recipe booklets are available now.
Downwind
"A down-home, country wedding"
My brother and his wife live in what I consider one of the more remote areas in the state of Illinois, Brown County. Mount Sterling, the county seat, boasts a population of 2,100 or so and is the largest town in the county. The total population of Brown County is somewhere south of 7,000 residents. Adding in the deer population would likely double that number. The native standard dress attire is quite casual…mostly camouflage, flannel, and Carhartts. The deer are brown with white tails, also casual.