Emily Stelter: Past Volunteer Sits Down, Discusses Experiences
Throughout Cook County Farm Bureau’s history, women have played an important leadership and volunteer role in the successful programming and member service efforts made by the organization. One such example is the Women’s Committee, which was formed in 1932 and later disbanded in 2005 when volunteers were integrated into other committees.
A mainstay to Cook County Farm Bureau and the Women’s Committee was Emily Stelter. Emily and her husband, Bill, farmed 120-acres in Country Club Hills. The land was in the Stelter family for four generations and raised everything from beef cattle to vegetables. The original homestead was purchased by Country Club Hills in 2007 with plans to transition it into a historical farm and museum.
During Stelter’s tenure on the Women’s Committee she and the committee developed the recipe collection, meat and dairy grant program, and initial plans and outreach for today’s Agriculture in the Classroom program. Stelter was heavily involved in Farm Bureau’s Leaders to Washington, action request team, and the policy development process.
In 2005, the Board of Directors reorganized Farm Bureau’s committee structure and merged numerous committees into four (now five) teams to involve more volunteers and revitalize the programming efforts of the organization. The areas of the Women’s Committee focus were blended into these teams and committee members had the opportunity to select their favorites areas of interest to continue their volunteer service with the Farm Bureau organization.
In September, Stelter sat down with Farm Bureau staff to discuss her involvement with Cook County Farm Bureau. Her history and their conversation will be available in the near future as part of Cook County Farm Bureau’s centennial celebration. We wish Emily a wonderful 100th birthday on November 15!