CCFB News» November 2018

In Illinois, the sun is doing more than just warming the ground. Popping up across the countryside, including in Cook County, are solar farms. Illinois’ boom in solar energy projects is likely the result of the state’s Future Energy Jobs Act. This Act sets a target of 25 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

With Food Checkout Day scheduled for February 21, 2019 Farm Bureau families and partners have joined together to assist families during the most difficult time of their lives, when a child is ill. Food Checkout Day highlights the safe and nutritious food that local farmers grow.

Cook County Farm Bureau® members have patiently waited for Congress to pass the next farm bill. The election is now over. No more excuses for inaction. And time is short. There’s only a month- roughly 16 session days- to get a farm bill passed and enacted before the end of the year.

TRUMP DIRECTS E-15 RULEMAKING PROCESS (Deana Stroisch, FarmWeek)- President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin a rulemaking process to allow the year-round sale of E15 ethanol fuel.

TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE CAREFUL AT RAILROAD CROSSINGS (Jim Taylor, FarmWeek). Illinois has the second-most railroad crossings in the U.S., and more than 100 collisions occurred in the state last year. Don't become complacent at crossings you see every day, says state safety coordinator.

MY AMERICAN FARM UPDATES (FarmWeek)  The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has released three new books into new videos to complement an updated My American Farm game – called - My Little Ag Me. Focused on information about egg careers, the three books are geared towards a fifth-grade audience. A special code at the end of the books unlocks a secret level of the My Little Ag Me game.

Each month we are highlighting a Cook County Farm Bureau Board Member: This month's "Face of CCFB" is...Tim Stuenkel

Every member of our family has an off-farm-job in addition to farming our family farm.  Along with our two adult children and daughter-in-law, we grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa hay.

FUEL STANDARDS ROLLBACK PLAN GETS SECOND HEARING (Associated Press) – In August, the Trump administration shared their proposal to roll back Obama-era national fuel economy standards. The administration says that waiving tough fuel efficiency requirements would make vehicles more affordable.

Recipe reprinted with permission from member Marcia Kuchta, found in our 2018 Cookfresh Recipe Collection Brochure, available online at www.cookcfb.org/discover-local/recipes.

You can submit your recipes for the 2019 Cookfresh Recipe Brochure by mailing to the Farm Bureau or to membershipdebbie@cookcfb.org.

A roof covered high in snow might provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday card photo or a soft landing pad for Santa and his sleigh. But a serious risk to your home and family may be lurking beneath that beautiful bed of white.

Since 2010, Cook County Farm Bureau® has operated a Political Action Committee (PAC) designed to support candidates who are supportive of the policies, priorities and mission of the Farm Bureau while promoting the economic and social well-being of farmers and farm-related interests in Cook County.

Illinois farmers await state rules to grow industrial hemp. However, those rules won’t tackle marketing challenges and agronomic unknowns.

As we anticipate the celebration of Thanksgiving this month, we join many cultures in being thankful for the food provided by our farmers.  No matter what your tradition is for Thanksgiving, whether it be football or turkey, it all originates from the farm.

Our son cheered, the neighbor texted, a local farmer called twice, and the mailman sighed in relief. Our country road and the next road to the east had re-opened after nearly two weeks of closed railroad crossings that detoured our lives and livelihoods.

Soil, as the plant’s growing medium, is one of the main factors in growing crops. Start with quality soil and throw in a bit of sun and timely moisture you have the makings of a pretty darn good farm.