Kane

County Farm Bureau

Since 1912

Did you know the felt on apool table comes from a sheep’swool, or that crayons can bemade from soybeans? Neitherdo lots of kids. Many also don’trealize that food comes fromfarms, not the store.A snapshot of farms and

farmers will be on display forthree days, March 19-21, insidethe Fieldhouse at MooseheartChild City & School nearBatavia during AG Days.Nearly 2,000 fourthgraders will walk awaywith a better understand-ing of where their foodcomes from. They’ll learnabout farm products thatgo into everything fromfuel to clothing, baseballmitts to newspaper print. This year, we’ve made

some exciting changes tothis educational program,now in its 29th year. It’sthe perfect time for you,as a Farm Bureau mem-

ber, to get involved. You can help with activities

that are all ready to go – noteaching or farm experience isneeded. Or, if you have somefarming know-how, we’re mak-ing it easier than ever to takethat knowledge and turn it into ashort lesson that will change achild’s view of farm life. Tell uswhat you know and we’ll helpyou turn it into a 3-4 minutepresentation fit for a fourth

grader. Here’s what to do:Step 1: Attend AG Days

Prep Meeting on March 14 at4pm

Step 2: Join us at AG DaysMarch 19-21 (all 3 days orwhichever day you can come)from 8:30-Noon

If you have questions or tomake a reservation please call630-584-8660. Farm Bureau is the Fox

Valley’s largest and oldest agri-cultural association and theleader in education about farm-ing. We promise you an enjoy-able volunteer experience!

to form the first agriculturalsupply cooperatives in the state.The Capper-Volstead Act of

1922 allowed these first cooper-atives to form, and still allowsfor the cooperative model ofbusiness in America today. Itprovided limited antitrustexemption to associations of

producers, thereby legally per-mitting reduction of competi-tion among farmers when theyjoin together and act in the mar-ketplace as a single farmer. Bycombining the needs of manyfarmers acting as one, a greatersupply could be secured, consis-tent quality could be expected,and prices would remain lower.By 1926, 10 county Farm

Bureaus had formed coopera-tives, and the IAA aided in theirefforts by holding informationalmeetings, creating a model setof articles of incorporationwhich met Illinois legal require-

ments, studying existing coop-erative ventures in other states,offering to provide completeservice and advice to countiesinterested in forming coopera-tives, and deciding to set up awholesale business to supplythe county cooperatives alreadyin operation.On March 7, 1927, the

Illinois Farm Supply Companywas chartered under the State ofIllinois Cooperative MarketingAct of 1923. Nine county farmsupply cooperatives were theoriginal investors: Coles CountySupply Company, the DeKalbCounty Agricultural Assoc -iation, Edgar County FarmSupply Company, Ford CountyService Company, KnoxCounty Oil Company, Marshall-Putnam Oil Company, McLeanCounty Service Company,Menard County Farmers SupplyCompany, and MontgomeryCounty Farmers Oil Company.And with that, the GROW-MARK System of today hadbegun.As the nation and the world

struggled through the GreatDepression and the rebuildingyears to follow, Illinois FarmSupply Company continued togrow and add additional productlines to meet the needs of itsfarmer-owners. Not only wereadditional petroleum productsintroduced, farmers could nowpurchase fly spray, stock dip,sulfurized mange oil, wood pre-server, cod liver oil, alcohol,glycerin, chemical weed killers,and automobile and truck tiresfrom their cooperative.

During World War II, like

many businesses, Illinois FarmSupply Co. worked to maintainits position in a difficult econo-my amid product shortages,rationing, and an abundance ofworkers heading off to fight for

our country. Feeding the countryreigned supreme, and the cooper-ative emerged strong and readyfor great growth during the post-war economic boom. It was dur-ing this time that a need for a uni-

fied brand in the marketplacewas realized, and the FS brand aswe know it today was introducedin 1955. Illinois Farm Supply Co.built fertilizer terminals, feedmills, and petroleum storage

facilities, as well as invested inCentral Farmers FertilizerCompany (now CF Industries)and a petroleum refinery in Pana,Ill. This allowed for more control

By Karen Jones, GROWMARK Publications

and News Specialist EDITOR’S NOTE: The follow-

ing is part of a series on the his-tory of the Kane County FarmBureau, Illinois Farm Bureau,and its affiliates. KCFB, (origi-nally known as the Kane CountyFarm Improvement Association),filed Articles of Incorporationwhich were approved by the Stateof Illinois on December 31,1912. Each month the KaneCounty Farmer will focus on theissues, events, services and peo-ple that built this organizationover the past 100 years. Imagine it’s the late 1920s.

You’ve just purchased a shinynew John Deere GP tractor foryour Kane County farm. As youadmire the glossy green paintand marvel at the speed (fourmiles per hour!), you realizethat you can no longer produceyour own fuel as you did grow-ing oats to feed your horses.Now you’re dependent on petro-leum-based fuels – but how toensure a reliable supply?This was the dilemma faced

by countless farmers of the era.As the use of farm tractors slow-ly replaced horses, the need forfuel became a real issue. Somesuppliers simply refused toservice farm customers, whileothers charged higher prices forthe convenience of on-farmdelivery. The need for a consis-tent supply of reasonablypriced, good quality fuel wasthe catalyst that brought IllinoisFarm Bureau members together

Top: The need for a supply of reasonably priced, good quality fuelwas the catalyst that brought Illinois Farm Bureau members togeth-er to form the first agricultural supply cooperatives in the state.Formed in 1927, Illinois Farm Supply provided consistent on-farmdelivery and was known for its superior service. Today, theGrowmark System continues that tradition of excellence and has apresence in 31 states and the province of Ontario.

VOL. 78 NO. 2 FEBRUARY 2013

FS, Growmark giving farmers consistency, quality for decades

Fourth graders to explore world of agriculture

Farm Bureau members are invited to help studentslearn about the world of farming

Ag Days “people needs”Whether you’re someone who doesn’t know a plow from a plan-tain, or you make farm commodity trades from your phoneevery day – you can help Kane County ten-year-olds learn aboutfarming and what it does for the world.

• 25 Classroom Guides (adults or high school students) Help students navigate the Fieldhouse to discover the world of agriculture• 2 people for each of the following:– Conservation Bingo– Things-You-Find-on-a-Farm Quiz– Make & take activity – Beanie Baby Necklaces

Presentations about:WheatSodTransportation/trade of farm productsYour area of farming or natural resources

DATES TO REMEMBERFebruary 7Board of DirectorsFebruary 8Lunches to Legislators, pick-up lunches 9-11a.m., KCFBFebruary 11Water Test Kits Available(through Feb. 22)February 13Women’s CommitteeFebruary 15KCFB Foundation ScholarshipApplications DueFebruary 17-23National Food Check-Out WeekFebruary 18Food Check-Out Challenge,10:30 a.m., Batavia JEWELFebruary 20-21Governmental AffairsLeadership Conf., Springfield February 21Kane-DuPage SWCD AnnualMeeting, 4:30 p.m., GenevaFebruary 25Water test kits/samples to bereturned

“My dad always saidthe Service Com -

pany was the only place tobuy gas. Standards for gas dis-tribution weren’t as tight asthey are today. But with theService Company, if you paidfor 100 gallons of gas, youcould be sure that’s exactlywhat you were getting.”

– Dexter Norton Jr. of St.Charles, KCFB Member and for-mer Kane County ServiceCompany Director, commentingon the predecessor of NorthernFS and Conserv FS, both cooper-atives in the Growmark system.He and his father knew KCSC asa stalwart company that couldalways be relied upon.

(continued on page 3)

Schneider led discussion onpossible contestants for theevent, held annually at theBatavia Jewel Osco. The annualLunches to Legislators eventwas set for February 8.Volunteers will take lunches andFarm Bureau information tolocal legislators. Directors wereinvited to participate in theGovt. Affairs Leadership Conf.in Feb. and the Leaders toWashington trip in March.Beth Engel, Membership and

PR Committee Chair providedthe following updates: A FarmBureau “centennial” plat bookis being considered; letters weremailed recently to all partici-pants in the Centennial Grove,asking them to proof mock-upsof plaques for dedicated trees;and end-of-year/tax letters weresent in Dec. to Harvest for ALLparticipants who made theirdonations to the KCFBFoundation. Harvest for ALLdonors since the Dec. KCFB

meeting were reported includ-ing: Deb Stob, Jeff & KayBornemann, Kaneland FFA,Mike Kenyon, Steve & MerryPitstick, Gene Feldott, RayFeldott, Bob & Carol Bronski,C&C Mulch, Ken and ReneeHesselback, Chris Collins,Albert & Mary Etta Lenkaitis.

The board discussed the needfor additional presenters and vol-unteers at Ag Days, March 19-21.A March 14 meeting will includeidea sharing, volunteer trainingand sample presentations alongwith scripts, display & materialsassistance, questions/talkingpoints and Ag trivia cards.Young Farmers committee

activities were announced,including a Jan. 4 holiday partyand the IFB Young LeaderConference in Bloomington.Ten members plan to attend thatconference.

Lastly, directors addressedvarious business items includ-ing expenditures and buildingmaintenance.Correspondence was circu-

lated including: St. Peter’sEvangelical Lutheran Church,thanks for silent auction dona-tion; Community Crisis Center,thanks for 2012 support; BillWhiteside, thanks for supporton the passing of his wife,Frances; Bob Effner of COUN-TRY Financial, thanks for IAAAnnual Meeting invitation;Congressman Randy Hultgren,thanks for contact regardingestate tax; IAA Foundation,thanks for donation to silentauction; and to Alyce Konen,thanks for contribution toKCFB Foundation.The next regular meeting of

the Board of Directors isThursday, February 7.

January 3At the January KCFB Board

meeting, the pledge of alle-giance, monthly calendars and areview of minutes IAA BoardMeeting minutes were followeda report from Kevin Gomes ofCOUNTY Financial. Gomesprovided an update on recentactivities that affect farmers andFarm Bureau members.Joe White delivered his

President’s report and circulatedinformation on the Illinois AgLeadership Class of 2014. MikeKenyon reviewed financialstatements for the organizationin his role as Treasurer.In the Manager’s report,

Steve Arnold updated directorson the activities being per-formed KCFBs Winter InternDan Doeing, a senior AgEducation major at Iowa StateUniversity. Arnold also recog-nized the following for theirassistance at the KCFB CitrusSale distribution: Joe White,Mike Kenyon, WayneSchneider, Alan Volpp, GeneFeldott, Frank Carlson, CraigBradley, Jeff Bornemann, BillCollins, and Clayton Feldott.Die-cast models of tractors andfarm machinery were purchasedrecently to be used as visual aidsin the SPROUTS reading pro-gram. Upcoming conferenceswere announced including aCrop Insurance and TruckingRegulations seminar at ElginCommunity College on January28 and and a March 6 Meet theBuyers event at DeKalb CFB.Lastly, Arnold reported thatBurlington teacher Cathy Britts-Axen will be invited to shareteaching strategies with areateachers on the 2013 SummerAg Institute themed “HungryPlanet”. Britts-Axen earnedAITC Teacher of the Year run-ner-up honors for her innovativeprogram that taught her students

about food and farming.Directors discussed progress

for sponsorships of KCFB eventsbeing offered to area businesses,signed letters to be mailed, andsecured sponsorship packets forin-person solicitations. Interestedsponsors are being asked torespond by Feb. 28. In the Kane County Board

report, Kenyon reported on dis-cussions to raise funds for citi-zens with special needs.Kenyon, White and Arnold pro-vided reports on issues affectingfarmers addressed at local meet-ings including: FarmlandProtection Commission, ZoningBoard of Appeals, RegionalPlanning Commission, PewCharitable Trust-Kane CountyHealth Impact Grant, and IL Rt.47 Corridor Study Group.In news on statewide issues,

directors discussed the IllinoisSpecialty Crops & AgritourismConference, Jan. 9-11 inSpringfield and GovernmentalAffairs Leadership Conf., Feb.20-21 in Springfield. Reser -vations for GALC are due Feb.11. The Illinois Farm BureauLeaders to Washington trip willtake place March 5-7.Discussion on AFBF and

national issues covered topicsincluding the farm bill, estatetaxes, capital gains and depreci-ation. Six directors andManager Steve Arnold con-firmed their intention to attendthe AFBF Annual Meeting inNashville, Jan. 12-16.Governmental Affairs and

Public Policy Chairman WayneSchneider reported that a Friendof Agriculture Award was pre-sented to State RepresentativeLinda Chapa LaVia on Dec. 11by Director Gene Feldott andManager Steve Arnold.February 18 was set as the datefor the 12th Annual FoodCheck-Out Shopping Spree.

PAGE 2 KANE COUNTY FARMER FEBRUARY 2013

Kane County FarmerKANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU

PUBLISHED MONTHLYSteven J. Arnold, Editor

Suzi Myers, Ag Literacy CoordinatorElizabeth Dawson, Membership Secretary

Audre Pack, Training SpecialistRyan Klassy, Information Director

Perry Hazelwood, Building & Grounds

OFFICE: Randall Rd. between Routes 64 & 38Address: 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles

PHONE: 630-584-8660info@kanecfb.com www.kanecfb.com

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30-5:00 Monday though Friday

(USPS No. 289700)POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kane County Farmer

2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174

Periodical Postage • Paid to St. Charles, IL 60174Year Subscription: $2.00

■ DISTRICT 1Aurora, Sugar Grove,Big Rock Twnshp.

Gene Feldott8S696 Barnes Rd.Aurora, IL 60506630-892-2197

Jeff Bornemann4S985 Dugan Rd.Sugar Grove, IL 60554630-466-1626

Donna Lehrer7S027 Jericho Rd.Big Rock, IL 60511630-556-3476

■ DISTRICT 2Kaneville, Blackberry,Gen./Bat. Twnshp.

Bill Collins1125 Lewis Rd.Geneva, IL 60134630-232-2043

Karl Kettelkamp0S860 Rowe Rd.Elburn, IL 60119630-365-2713

Joe WhitePresident47W727 Main St. Rd.Elburn, IL 60119630-557-2517

■ DISTRICT 3Virgil, Campton,St. Charles Twnshp.

Frank Carlson104 Sumac CourtSt. Charles, IL 60174630-513-9980

Chris Collins1143 AndersonElburn, IL 60119630-934-4642

Al Lenkaitis, Jr.6N352 Fair Oaks Dr.St. Charles, IL 60174630-561-9514

■ DISTRICT 4Burlington, PlatoElgin Twnshp.

Alan Volpp9N728 Peplow Rd.Hampshire, IL 60140847-683-3681

Mike KenyonSecretary/Treasurer1250 E. Main St.South Elgin, IL 60177847-741-1818

Craig Bradley37W791 Orchard LaneElgin, IL 60124847-888-2380

■ DISTRICT 5Hampshire, Rutland,Dundee Twnshp.

Beth Engel15N638 Walker RoadHampshire, IL 60140847-683-3482

Gerald Gaitsch10613 Brittany Ave.Huntley, IL 60142847-669-2003

Wayne SchneiderVice President721 Lindsay LaneWest Dundee, IL 60118847-428-3350

KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU BOARD ATTENDANCEOCTOBER 2012 THRU SEPTEMBER 2013

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JLY AUG. SEP.J. BORNEMANN X X X X C. BRADLEY X X X X F. CARLSON X X X X B. COLLINS X X X X C. COLLINS X X X X B. ENGEL X X X X G. FELDOTT X X X X G. GAITSCH X X X X M. KENYON X X X X K. KETTLEKAMP X X X D. LEHRER X X X A. LENKAITIS JR. X X W. SCHNEIDER X X X X A. VOLPP X X X J. WHITE X X X X

KCFB Board Meeting review

You receive the Kane CountyFarmer because you are a FarmBureau member. If you are afarm operator or owner, you ben-efit from a local, state andnational organization committedto agriculture and your way of life.

If you do not have direct tiesto farming, your membershiphelps promote local farms andfarming, encourage wise use ofour limited natural resources andpreserve farmland and our agri-cultural heritage while allowingyou to enjoy COUNTRY insur-ance and the many other benefitsof one of Illinois’ premier mem-bership organizations.

We appreciate your member-ship and continued support andwe welcome your comments onthe content of the Farmer. Weencourage you to make recom-mendations about farm, home,food, natural resource, renewableenergy or agricultural heritageand history related topics forinclusion in future issues of theFarmer.

At the AFBF Annual Meeting, President Bob Stallman presented IllinoisFarm Bureau President Philip Nelson with AFBF’s New Horizon Awardfor helping create and lead the Illinois Farm Families program. The jointprogram between IFB and the Illinois beef, corn, pork and soy check-offs, leads conversations with consumers, answering their questionsand sharing what really happens on today’s farms. Kane County farmerswho particpated included Chris and Dana Gould of Maple Park, Dale &Linda Drendel of Hampshire, Mike & Lynn Martz of Maple Park, andSteve & Elizabeth Ruh of Big Rock. Visit watchusgrow.org to learnmore. IFB competed among states with more than 400,000 membersfor the Horizon Award, which evaluates and recognizes new programs.

Visit D.C. withFarm Bureauin March

Illinois Farm Bureau willonce again organize a trip toWashington D.C. for FarmBureau Leaders this spring.The Leaders to Washingtontrip is set for March 5-7. Theprogram is conducted twiceeach year in March andSeptember. Because of all thelaws and regulations facingthe farming community, it isimportant for farmers to buildrelationships in WashingtonD.C. Farm Bureau leadersvisit our nation’s capital tohelp implement Farm Bureaupolicy. There, the group ofmen and women from acrossthe state will meet with legis-lators and their staff to talkabout issues important toIllinois agriculture. Membersinterested in representingKane County on the Marchtrip should contact KaneCounty Farm Bureau at 630-584-8660.

IFB proposals shape AFBF policyVoting delegates at the 94th

annual meeting of the AmericanFarm Bureau Federationapproved several policy submit-tals from Illinois Farm Bureau,including policies that will helpto fine-tune provisions of a newFarm Bill.As part of AFBF’s position

on national farm policy, dele-gates approved a resolution sub-mitted by the Illinois delegationthat would allow for a choice ofprogram options among farmersif a catastrophic risk manage-ment program is not achievable.The language replaces policythat would have had farmerschoosing between a shallowloss revenue program and a ref-erence price program.

“As rewritten, the policygives farmers options and maxi-mum flexibility going forward,”said Philip Nelson, presidentand voting delegate, IllinoisFarm Bureau. “Risk manage-ment is job one for farmers.With this policy, we have takena step in the right direction toopen programs to mitigate risk.”Nelson said Farm Bureau

will strongly encourage both theHouse and Senate AgricultureCommittees to start work imme-diately and in earnest on writinga Farm Bill.Delegates also amended pol-

icy to support the RenewableFuels Standard 2 (RFS2) asapproved in the Energy

(continued on page 6)

Every year KCFB sponsors a shopping spree where public officials race tocollect food for local food pantries. In this file photo volunteers from theBetween Friends Food Pantry pose with Food Pantry Director Melisa Taylor(ctr.) with more than $2,000 of non-perishable food gathered by StateRepresentative Bob Pritchard at the 2012 event. The public is invited to watchthe 2013 “Food Check-Out Challenge” on Feb. 18 at the Batavia Jewel-Osco.

FEBRUARY 2013 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 3

Shopping spree tobenefit hunger reliefOn Monday, February 18,

the Kane County Farm Bureauwill host its 12th annual FoodCheck-Out “Challenge,” aShopping Spree to benefit localfood pantries. The public isinvited to come watch two legis-lators or local officials race tocollect food to help restock theshelves of two area foodpantries. The contest will onceagain be held at the BataviaJewel-Osco, on Randall Road atMain Street in Batavia. Food Check-Out Week is

devoted to helping teachAmericans how to stretch theirgrocery dollars with healthy,nutritious food. Typically, con-sumers spend just 10 percent oftheir disposable annual incomeon food. This low number isthanks to the efficient efforts byAmerica’s farmers and ranch-

ers, who work hard every day toprovide a safe, abundant andaffordable food supply.All of the groceries collected

during the 5-minute spree arepurchased by the Farm Bureauand donated to the respectivepantries. Many State Senatorsand State Representatives repre-senting Kane County, localMayors and elected officialshave competed in the event,raising thousands of dollars ingroceries for local foodpantries.Thanks to increased hunger

relief efforts in recent yearsthrough Harvest for ALL, KCFBmembers have donated theequivalent of 750,000 meals toarea food pantries. Be there towatch the shopping spree con-testants push KCFB closer to itsMillionth Meal Challenge goal.

KCFB welcomes Kane CountyCougars as centennial events sponsorAs part of our celebration of

100 years in the community,Kane County Farm Bureau hasinvited area businesses and agri-cultural supporters to sponsorKCFB events in 2013. TheKane County Cougars haveconfirmed participation with a$2,500 Platinum Sponsorshipthrough Ozzie’s Outreach, acharitable initiative of the ClassA Chicago Cub affiliate. In addition to recognition

through KCFB events, signage

and publications – the FarmBureau will match 25 percent ofthe Cougar’s sponsorship dol-lars with a donation to a localfood pantry of the Cougars’choice. That means $625 to pur-chase meals for neighbors inneed and advancing KCFBtoward our Million MealChallenge goal. The Cougarsjoin COUNTRY Financial andConserv FS as platinum spon-sors of KCFB centennial events.Sponsorships are also avail-

able for Ag Days, Winner’sChoice Raffle, Touch-A-Tractor, Centennial Picnic andmore. They offer unique expo-sure to an agricultural audience,as well as our entire member-ship, 18,000 strong. Interestedsponsors may call KCFB at630-584-8660 for full details orcontact any one of the KCFBdirectors listed on page 2 of thispublication. Spring events spon-sorship deadline is February 28,2013.

over the supply and quality ofproducts.Illinois wasn’t the only state

whose Farm Bureau supportedthe formation of farmer cooper-atives. Both Iowa andWisconsin had also developedstrong networks to supply theneeds of their farm populations.In 1962, Illinois Farm SupplyCo. merged with the FarmBureau Service Company ofIowa, and brought with it a newname for the organization: FSServices, Inc. Three years later,FS Services expanded north bymerging with WisconsinFarmco Service Cooperative,making Illinois, Iowa, andWisconsin the core geographyof the future GROWMARKSystem. That same year, amerger with Producers SeedCompany put the cooperative

into the hybrid seed corn busi-ness and expanded its offeringsin field seed and seed grain.

Grain handling and marketinghas always been an importantaspect of farming, and FSServices solidified their commit-ment to serving farmers by enter-ing into a combination of effortsagreement with Illinois GrainCorporation in 1969. This part-nership would continue until1980 when the two entities con-solidated to form GROWMARK,Inc. – a name that reflected thecooperative’s role of helpingfarmers GROW agricultural prod-ucts and MARKet the output. In 1994, Growmark reached

beyond the borders of the UnitedStates and acquired the assets ofUnited Cooperatives of Ontario,adding more than 30 coopera-tives to the GROWMARKSystem and reaching toward thevision of being the best agricul-tural cooperative system in

North America.Today, the

GrowMark System hasa presence in 31 statesand the province ofOntario. Its majorproduct lines includeagronomy, energy,seed, and grain. Thepast 10 years have seensignificant sales growthwhile continuing toprovide the personal

service customers have come totrust over its 85-year history.GrowMark has long been a

leader in bringing new develop-ments to the farm market. It wasamong the first to provide retailavailability of E-85 blendedgasoline, and it pioneered vari-able rate technology, allowingfarmers to apply only the neces-sary amounts of crop inputsexactly when and where they areneeded. Sales people are contin-uously trained on the latest safe-ty and regulatory procedures,and have the opportunity tobecome certified in a variety ofdisciplines, signifying an addi-tional commitment to educationand professionalism. The company also supports

the development of future agri-cultural leaders. A summerinternship program places stu-dents with FS member coopera-tives or GrowMark divisions foran intensive 12-week learningexperience. It partners with 4-H,FFA, Co-operative YoungLeaders, and the JuniorFarmers’ Association of Ontarioto enhance members’ leadershipskills, as well as working closelywith the Farm Bureau throughYoung Leaders programs andAgriculture in the Classroom.

Growmark(continued from page 1)

Top: Illinois Farm Supply Companyemerged strong and ready for greatgrowth during the economic boom fol-lowing WWII. In 1955 the need for a uni-fied brand in the marketplace was real-ized, when the FS brand was introduced. For decades farmers have benefittedfrom sound agronomic advice from FSand Growmark.

Local FS membercompany history

1929 A Kane County Farm BureauCommittee of I.R. Judd, E.D.Spencer & Fred Wilson areappointed to investigate advisabili-ty of forming the Kane CountyFarm Bureau Supply Company. Mar. 16, 1929 Kane County FarmService Company (later FS) organ-ized, with Farm Bureau ExecutiveCommittee to be governing body. 1969 Kane County ServiceCompany is merged withKishwaukee Service Company toform Northern F.S. Inc. Service ter-ritory includes Kane, DeKalb,McHenry, Boone and Winnebagocounties in Illinois and WalworthCounty, Wisconsin.2004 Northern FS is merged withConserv FS to form a farm supplyand service company that servesfarmers in 10 northeastern Illinoiscounties and 3 counties in south-eastern Wisconsin.GROWMARK History

1920’s: Farm Bureau membersorganize local cooperatives in theUnited States.1927: Nine local Farm Bureaucooperatives organize to formIllinois Farm Supply Company.1955: Illinois Farm SupplyCompany adopts the FS trade-mark.1961: The corporate office ofIllinois Farm Supply Companymoves from Chicago toBloomington, Ill.1962: FS Services, Inc. organizesthrough the merger of IllinoisFarm Supply Company and FarmBureau Service Company of Iowa.

The busy season is upon us,getting ready for all the

spring and summer programshere at the Farm Bureau. If anyof these outlined programssound good to you and you’dlike to help us out in any, orknow of another group thatmight want to take advantage ofthe programs, please feel free tocontact us.

Kane County InstituteDay: we will be hosting 30-some teachers from the countywho want to learn how to help

their students with hands onlearning concerning the MyPlate nutritional program.We’ve called the class theIllinois Plate, as we are concen-trating on Illinois farmers andtheir contributions to ourhealthy eating.

Ag Days: A 3-day agricultur-al expo held at Mooseheart inMarch, which will help fourthgrade students and their teach-ers realize how agriculture is apart of their everyday lives. Ifthis sounds interesting to you,

come to the meeting March 14thor call us to see how you can bea part of this exciting program.

Touch-A-Tractor: Firstweekend in April will find ourfront lawn full of new andantique tractors, combines, newand historical farm equipment,animals and play areas for thechildren. Inside the buildingwill be informational areas,games, and a coloring/craftarea. Be sure to mark your cal-endars for this fun event.

SPROUTS (Spring Programof Reading Outreach to UrbanTeachers and Students): Heldduring National Library Week for3rd grade classrooms, we readThe Heartland to the students anddiscuss agriculture during a 30minute classroom visit. Excitingthis year is our new toy machin-ery that we purchased to takealong to explain the planting andharvesting of crops to the chil-dren. (A huge thank you to our

KCFB Board for purchasingthese models.)

Summer Ag Institute forTeachers is right after theteachers end their school year inJune. This will be a week ofeducational fun learning aboutagriculture in Kane County. Wewill visit farms, horticulturalsites, machinery dealers andmore. Teachers can earn 3 grad-uate credit hours from AuroraUniversity or 45 CPDU’s bytaking this class. Interested?Contact Suzi at 630-584-8660.

Summer Ag Institute forTeachers 2 will be held the fol-lowing week for graduates of thefirst class (even past year’s grad-uates are welcome to attend).Our concentration will be theHungry Planet. We will learnhow our US farmers growenough food to feed the world.Again, we will be traveling thenearby countryside to learn aboutnew technologies used to

increase the farmer’s yields. Thisclass, running Tuesday throughFriday, earns 2 graduate credithours from Aurora University or30 CPDU’s. Contact Suzi fordetails.

Kane County Fair will beheld the end of July. Be sure tomark your calendars for thisexciting look into Kane Countyagriculture. Stop at our booth totake part in contests, enter ourbucket raffle, take our scavengerhunt and much more.

Kane County Farm Bureau100th Anniversary will be cel-ebrated in the late summer.Details will be published in theFarmer before these events. So, as I said, this is the

beginning of our really busytime. I’m looking forward toseeing you at these events and hope they will be not onlyfun, but educational to youngand old.Book of the Month

A book to not miss, hot offthe presses – we have the lifestory of one of our favorite radiobroadcasters. You Can’t DreamBig Enough captures theremarkable story of the manwho became one of Americanagriculture’s most revered andinfluential broadcasters. Over60 years, farmers across thecountry have relied on Orion tonot only tell them the news ofagriculture, but to tell othersoutside of agriculture why theyneed to care about and respectAmerican farmers. Samuelson has traveled the

world spreading the powerfulstory of American agricultureand promoting new markets forAmerican producers. A staunchdefender of the Americanfarmer, he eagerly jumps atevery chance to educate peoplewho don’t understand how thefood on their plates gets there. The book includes a compi-

lation of letters written to Orion;another chapter pertains to hiscontacts with U.S. Presidents,

another covers his internationalexperiences, another pertains toFFA and 4-H, plus many otherchapters of interest. An interest-ing read that is easy and thoughtprovoking.Thanks to a request years

ago by Bob Konen and DeanDunn that Kane County FarmBureau start a library of agricul-turally themed books for publicuse, we have an ever growingselection of titles. Feel free tocome in and checkout You Can’tDream Big Enough.

KCFB donates incubatorsto area teachersRecently, several area school

teachers received egg incuba-tion kits compliments of KaneCounty Farm Bureau’s Ag in theClassroom program. For years, the KCFB Ag in

the classroom program hashelped area teachers hatch eggsin their classrooms and educatestudents about the process.Teachers borrowed incubators,egg turners, a warming light andall that’s required to turn a dozeneggs into a dozen little chicks.Teachers were invited to

write a short essay on why theirclassroom should receive anincubation kit of their own. AgLiteracy Coordinator SuziMyers reviewed the entries andmade the announcements of therecipients in January.Jen Antonson, a third/fourth

grade teacher at Mooseheart,was happy to receive oneof the kits. The incubator

she had been using wasn’tworking properly.

“When you have the properequipment it can be a veryrewarding experience,” Antonsonsaid. “Watching the developmentof an embryo, candling, keepinga record of the growth of thechicken ... it’s a great learningevent for kids of all ages.”Antonson said the new incu-

bator will give her the opportu-nity to explore hatching chick-ens once again and share theexcitement with her students.

Incubator donations weremade possible by contributionsfrom Farm Bureau members andsupporters of the Kane CountyFarm Bureau Foundation, whichsupports Ag in the Classroomeducational efforts. Congrat -ulations to these teachers andbest of luck with your hatches!

PAGE 4 KANE COUNTY FARMER FEBRUARY 2013

What’s your idea of financial security?®

AG LITERACY CORNERBy Suzi Myers

You Can’t Dream Big Enoughby Orion Samuelson

Bring the whole family to Touch-A-Tractor at the Kane County Farm Bureau to see some big machinesand learn how Kane County farmers use them to prepare the soil and plant and harvest their crops.This year’s event will bring a little bit of the farm to the city Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 5-7.This event is fun and educational for people of all ages. Kids can participate in hands-on activities,ride pedal tractors, shell corn, see farm animals, sit in the seat of a tractor or combine, and enter fora FREE chance to win a pedal tractor.

Mark your calendars f�FAMILY FUN

Jen AntonsonMooseheart

Laura FranklinHaines Middle School,

St. CharlesKeri Grabske

Nancy Hill School,Aurora

Mariel HuffHall Elementary, Aurora

Types of ChocolateUnsweetened ChocolateChocolate liquor that has

been allowed to cool and harden.It is used for baking and to makeother types of chocolate. Manybakers prefer this type of choco-late for baking because theyhave more control over the fla-vor and sweetness.Bittersweet ChocolateAlso known as semisweet

chocolate, dark chocolateContains at least

35% chocolateliquor, plus cocoabutter and sugar invarying amounts.There is no techni-cal differencebetween bittersweetand semisweet types ofchocolate, and they areoften referred to as “dark.” Thereis such a thing as “bittersweet(or semisweet) baking choco-late,” which is sweetened cocoaliquor without the added cocoabutter.Milk ChocolateContains at least 10% choco-

late liquor, plus cocoa butter andsugar in varying amounts, and at

least 12% milk (milk, cream,milk powder, etc).White ChocolateWhite chocolate is not techni-

cally one of the types of choco-late because it does not containany chocolate liquor. It mustcontain at least 20% cocoa but-ter and 14% milk, plus sugar invarying amounts.Chocolate Fun Facts:• Since WWII, chocolate bars

have been an official partof US Army rations asa source of energy.• By late 1600schocolate houses(similar to today’scoffee houses)sprang up all overEurope. Chocolate

was sold at high pricesat these houses.

• Eating one chocolatechip will give youenergy to walk150 steps.

• There are 72c h o c o l a t ecompanies inIllinois.

• Shelf life for acandy bar is oneyear unless it isstored in freezer;then it can be keptlonger.

• Mexican nuns were the first touse chocolate as a fundraiserin the 1700s.

• Lowest melting point forcocoa butter is 93 degrees.

• Chocolate is associated withthe release of serotonin – thehormone that makes you feelrelaxed, calm, and happy.

• Hershey’s is the oldest andlargest chocolate company inthe United States

• Chocolate is the primaryingredient in almost 90% ofour candies and sweets fromcandy bars to candy coatedcandies.

• Chocolate is also used incookies, cereal, hot chocolate,chocolate milk, chocolate fla-vored coffee, ice cream andmany desserts and used insauce. It is also being intro-duced into the menus of maindishes in restaurants acrossthe country• One plain milk chocolate

candy bar has moreprotein than abanana• American andRussian spaceflights havealways includedchocolate treats.• In 1875,Thomas Jefferson

wrote to JohnAdams, making a decla-

ration about chocolate’s supe-riority over tea or coffee forboth health and nourishment.

• 66% of chocolate is con-sumed between meals.

• 22% of all chocolate con-sumption takes place between8pm and midnight.

• More chocolate is consumedin winter than any other sea-son.

• Hawaii is the only state thatgrows cocoa beans to pro-duce chocolate.

• The popular belief that choco-late causes acne is a myth.

• In America, 71% of con-sumers favor milk chocolateover other variants.

Chocolate

FEBRUARY 2013 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 5

Congratulations!Cheryl Wilson of Sleepy

Hollow! Cheryl’s name waschosen from the entriesreceived for correctly com-pleting last month’s WordSearch Puzzle. For her partici-pation, she receives a soup-themed prize package. Thankyou Cheryl, for reading theKane County Farmer and con-tinue to watch each month formore great opportunities fromthe Kane County FarmBureau.

Compiled by Beth Dawson and Suzi Myers

H N E K C I H C U B M U D I N

B L C M Y K Y I V N T T A E T

Y I I A I E C D U O E G L T G

C L T S F E H T N E M N C A F

K O S T C F R S W A E I O L R

C E O R E I E S R G C D N O O

S A E K T R I I D E A D F C S

X A K I I M S U N R H U E O T

M X O E E E F W K E T P C H I

M U N S W E E T E N E D T C N

S U O I C I L E D E O F I A G

B R O W N I E S I O T O O O S

S E L F F U R T F P S N N C U

C A D B U R Y I R A B D F O G

S A U C E E S S U O M U I C A

T E E W S W H I T E T E X V R

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip __________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________________________________________Please complete and return to the Farm Bureau,

2N710 Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174 by February 15, 2013 for your chance to win a box of chocolates from Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream in Geneva (a generous donor to the KCFB Foundation Bucket Rafflefundraisers at Kane County Fair) compliments of the Kane County Farm Bureau.

BARBITTERSWEETBROWNIESCADBURYCAFFEINECAKECANDYCHOCOLATECOCOACONFECTIONCOOKIEDARKDELICIOUSFONDUEFOODFROSTINGFUDGEHERSHEYICECREAMKISSESMILKMOUSSENUTRITIOUSPIEPUDDINGSAUCESEMISWEETSUGARSWEETTORTETRUFFLESUNSWEETENEDWHITE

C hocolate is America’s favorite flavor according to a survey thatshowed 52 percent of Americans like chocolate the best. In

2000, over 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate were consumed in the U.S.alone. Agriculture played a part in each of those billions of pounds.After taking a look at some of the ingredients included in chocolate,consider the role agriculture takes.Chocolate manufacturers use:40% of the world’s almonds20% of the world’s peanuts8% of the world’s sugar3.5 million pounds of whole milk every day

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which come from a largepod that grows on a cocoa tree. These trees only grow in tropical cli-mates, 20 degrees north or south of the equator. In ancient CentralAmerica, people used cocoa beans as currency. The Spanishcolonists exported the beans to Spain, where as late as 1545, theywere still being traded!

Check out what cocoa beans could buy you in 1545:200 beans = male turkey100 beans = female turkey100 beans = daily wage of a porter100 beans = rabbit3 beans = turkey egg3 beans = avocado

Celebration of Chocolate MonthNational Chocolate Fondue Day ....................5National Cream Filled Chocolates Day ........14National Chocolate Mint Day.......................19National Chocolate Soufflé Day...................28

Chocolate!Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate mixed with fruit, tea spices, cereal flakes, ormarzipan, chocolate with caramel, sea salt, and even bacon ... chocolate has become oneof the most popular foods in the world especially during holidays like Halloween, Christmas,

Easter and Valentine’s Day. Why not celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate for a whole month?You can literally treat yourself to a different chocolate every day for the entire month of February

without breaking the bank. So try spicing up your favorite meal with chocolate to enhance the flavors;try adding chocolate to stew to create a rich base; or for a sweet and savory option, cover bacon with chocolate.

Top Chocolate Producing CountriesIvory Coast • GhanaIndonesia • CameroonNigeria • Brazil • EcuadorDominican RepublicMalaysia • Togo

Top Chocolate consuming Countries

Switzerland – average personconsumes 22.36 lbs. per year

Austria • IrelandGermany • Norway

The United States is ranked11th for chocolateconsuming countries

Fudge in a BagGallon size Ziploc bag1/2 cup powdered cocoa1 box powdered sugar1 tsp vanilla1/2 cup butter, softened3 oz. cream cheese, softened

Place all ingredients into Ziplocbag. Push most of the air outand seal. Pass bag around giv-ing everyone a chance tosqueeze and mix fudge. Cut ahole in one corner of the fudgebag and squeeze it into a dis-posable pan. Let harden, cut,and eat.

National Chocolate Month

Iwas punched in the facerecently ... with the realitythat I have not provided myfamily with any food in the lasttwo years. Not directly that is. Ihunt, mostly for deer, and havenot been successful lately. I was reminded of this when

I moved my chest freezer fromthe garage to the basement. Ittook all of five minutes to emptyits contents – a few venisonsteaks, some packages of ham-burger and 30 popsicles. Idecided it could all fit in ourside-by-side in the kitchen. So the empty chest freezer

sits in the basement waiting forme to fill my tag. It’s not some-thing I need to do though, to eat.

I have to work to provide for myfamily, but a trip to the woodsisn’t necessary. In February, Farm Bureau

recognizes Food Check Outweek. Traditionally this was theweek each year when the aver-age Joe had earned enough to fillhis freezer for the year. We use itto celebrate the affordability offood, and in the case of ourannual shopping spree that ben-efits local food pantries, to rec-ognize that not everyone is in thesame situation. Many have towork past that day to “fill thefreezer” for the year, and somehave to rely on help.

It’s a good time to think aboutwhere your food comes from.

Check the headlines andyou’ll see a lot about obesity andhunger. Both have the ability totake a toll on our population.They’re food issues and weshould be aware of them.Legislators are working to pass anew farm bill, farmers are work-ing to be more efficient to pro-vide food for a growing popula-tion, agribusiness is coming upwith new innovations to helpfarmers – it’s going on right nowwhether you know it or not. FarmBureau membership is one wayyou’re helping support theseefforts. You might consider vol-unteering for an Ag in theClassroom event or taking a tripto D.C. as a Farm Bureau leaderthis spring.Food issues affect us all,

from a guy in a tree stand to ashopper in the grocery aisle, afarmer on the back forty to themom serving an evening meal.Something to think about thenext time you open the freezer.

PAGE 6 KANE COUNTY FARMER FEBRUARY 2013

“Helping to keep America Picked up for 45 years”

A LOOK IN THE FREEZERBy Ryan Klassy, Information Director

Find out morewww.

kanecfb

.com

Illinois food banks benefit from 1st Farm Credit Services donationsAs a way to recognize

Illinois farmer’s role in produc-ing a safe and bountiful foodsupply, while helping those whostruggle with hunger, 1st FarmCredit Services has donated tolocal, Illinois food banks. The1st Farm Credit ServicesBranch in Sycamore donated$1,000 to the Northern IllinoisFood Bank.

The local food bank isamong 46 food banks andpantries statewide benefitedfrom the 1st Farm CreditServices donation, whichtotaled $21,500.“Part of our association’s

culture is to serve Illinois agri-culture and give back to thecommunities we serve,” saidGary J. Ash, president/ CEO of

1st Farm Credit Services.“These donations fit both needsby helping our local communi-ties and show how farmers arean essential part of America’sfood supply.” The average farmer feeds

about 155 people worldwide.However, millions ofAmericans – one out of six –struggle with hunger.

Lunch to LegislatorsKane County Farm Bureau

invites members to have lunchwith their local Legislator onFriday, February 8.Now in its 11th year,Farm Bureau’s“Lunches toLegislators” programgives members theopportunity to meetlocal State Representatives,Senators and Congressmen,along with their staff, in a simple,but effective program to remindthem of the importance of thefarm and food sector.

Farm Bureau members takeboxed lunches, along with FarmBureau policy books and farmand food facts literature on theirvisits to legislators’ districtoffices. Lunches are ordered priorto the visits and picked-up by FB

members at the Kane CountyFarm Bureau in St. Charlesbefore everyone heads out for a

day of getting toknow our local legis-lators, or renewingold relationships.

Changes in leg-islative districtboundaries as a result

of the census and reapportion-ment have doubled the number oflegislative districts in KaneCounty, so volunteers are needednow more than ever. SeveralCounty Farm Bureaus will beteaming up on this year’s effort.Help represent KCFB and its18,000 members. To volunteer toassist with this program, or learnmore about it, contact SteveArnold at the Kane County FarmBureau at 630-584-8660.

February 8thFarm Bureau mem-

bers to prove onceagain the value of face-to-face interaction

Harvest for ALL donations continuedto flow in through the end ofDecember. For the calendar year2012, Farm Bureau members con-tributed the equivalent of nearly222,000 meals to area food pantries.The Kane County Farm Bureau thanksthe following, farm families, busi-nesses and KCFB members for theirvoluntary participation in hungerrelief efforts to benefit local foodpantries through contributions to Harvest for ALL. We hope you’ll join usagain in 2013 as we strive to reach our Million Meal Challenge goal.

Alan & Gayle VolppAlejandro BenavidesBeverley JacobsonBob & Carol BronskiBob & Ella WhiteBob BurginBornemann Family FarmBruce & Judy KrogBruce & Marilynn PlaxtonC & C MulchChris & Hope CollinsDale Pitstick FarmsDave & Judy KlussendorfNancy VoseDennis & Beth EngelDexter & Caryl NortonElburn CoopDouglas & Mary DickeyFeldott Farms Gene & RayFollman FarmsFrancis E. GeisenGehrke Family FarmGlenn & Louise Johnson Chris & Dana GouldEldon & Sandy GouldGray-Urban FarmHorton FarmsJames & Beverly GillettJami & Julie WhiteJim & Deloris O’Connell

Joe & Bonnie WhiteJohn & Clarice NepermannJon DeRaedtKane County Corn GrowersKaneland FFAKarl & Julie Kettelkamp Paul "Griz" StoverKeifer Brothers FarmsKen & Nancy MeyerKen & Renee HesselbachKenyon Bros. CompanyKevin & Terie StephensonLand O’ Lakes FoundationLenkaitis HolsteinsLowell & Marita KniefMary Ann Mings-TennantMary GrommesMichael & Lisa DienstRamm Farms Inc.Richard & Mary Lee PitstickRobert FarleySteve & Gladys ArnoldSteve & Merry PitstickStewarts Fields, LLCStojan Vegetables Suzi MyersTim MetzTradetec Exhibits & EventsWayne Schneider

Independence and Security Actof 2007. This is the first timeAFBF policy has addressedRFS2. “This is helpful to us as a

general farm organization thatrepresents a variety of farmersincluding those who grow andraise livestock, fruits and vegetables, and grains,” Nelsonsaid. The RFS program was creat-

ed under the Energy Policy Actof 2005 and established the firstrenewable fuel volume require-ment in the United States,ensuring 7.5 billion gallons ofrenewable fuel would be blend-ed into gasoline by 2012. RFS2expanded the act to include

diesel in addition to gasolineand established new categoriesof renewable fuel. The Illinois delegation also

was successful in introducing apolicy revision that would makebiotech seed available in themarketplace even after they gooff-patent. “As patents expire, we’re

concerned that technology willno longer be available to farm-ers,” Nelson said. “With thedevelopment of protocols devel-oped by the seed industry, andthrough mitigation or arbitra-tion, the seeds could still bemade available, enabling farm-ers and consumers to benefit bytechnology that typically isdeveloped over many years.” Finally, delegates approved a

policy revision introduced by

the Illinois delegation thatwould require full restoration,prior to the next normal highwater season, of levees that arepurposely destroyed by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers. Theyalso approved the continuedexemption from the NationalFlood Insurance Program(NFIP) property that is locatedbehind properly designed, builtand maintained 100-year certi-fied levees, dams and otherflood control infrastructures. The AFBF annual meeting

took place January 12-16 inNashville, Tenn. An estimated6,000 people from 50 states and Puerto Rico attended,including 362 farmer and ranch-er delegates who voted ongrassroots policies and policyamendments.

Stateline Fruit & VegetableGrowers Conf. – Feb. 11The U of I Extension’s 17th

annual Stateline Fruit andVegetable Growers Conferenceis Monday, Feb. 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Midway VillageMuseum, Rockford. $40 perperson; $30 for each additionalfamily member or business colleague. $50 per person afterFeb. 7. Visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw orcall 815-986-4357.IWA Winter Wheat Forum –Feb. 11The Illinois Wheat

Association’s annual WinterWheat Forum is Feb. 11, 9am-

3pm at Krieger’s/Holiday InnConvention Center in Mt.Vernon, Ill. Registration beginsat 8a.m. IWA members $15;general public $30. Visit illinoiswheat.org, or call 309-557-3662. Illinois Soybean ProfitabilitySummit – March 4The Illinois Soybean

Association will host the 2013

Illinois Soybean ProfitabilitySummit, “Shape Your Future asa Soybean Grower,” at IllinoisState University’s Bone StudentCenter, March 4, in Normal, Ill.Free to Illinois farmers. Speciallodging rates available.Registration limited to first 350registrants by Feb. 19 deadline.Visit www.soyyieldchallenge.com or call 888-826-4011.

Upcoming farm conferences

IFB proposals(continued from page 2)

tion is elsewhere in this paper.I hope that the flu virus has

run its course by the time youreceive this newspaper. Evenwith the flu vaccine many peo-ple, including me, suffered the

flu this year. I hope you andyours avoided it! Your computer hint of the

month: BACKUP, BACKUP,BACKUP! The question is not“Will my computer fail?” – It is“When will my computer fail?”All computers will die, sooneror later. You would not want tolose your data!Looking ahead to March,

mark your calendars to savesome time for Ag Days onMarch 19, 20, and 21. There is anew format this year that sounds

great!Here are two versions of a

very quick and easy snack-dessert recipe. For Valentine’sDay add some drops of red col-oring to the coating. (You coulduse different colors for otherholidays; for example green forSt. Patrick’s Day.)

Elegant CookiesMelt a package of almond

bark. (The package I have in mycupboard is 20 ounces.)Spread creamy Peanut Butter

between 2 Ritz® Crackers

Dip the filled crackers intothe melted coating. Then letthem harden on waxed paper

Dipped PretzelsMelt a package of almond

bark.Dip all but an inch or two of

a pretzel-log in the coating.If desired, sprinkle with col-

ored sugar or nonpareils.Lay the dipped pretzel on

waxed paper to hardenIf you were sending either of

these to school, teachers wouldlove for you to wrap them.

Happy Valentine’s Day! On Feb. 18 the Farm Bureau

will sponsor a “Food CheckoutDay” shopping spree to benefitlocal food pantries. “FoodCheckout Day” is the day thatmost Americans have madeenough money to pay for ayear’s worth of groceries. Twolocal government officials willcompete to collect the most non-perishable food items. YourKane County Farm Bureau willpay for all the groceries collect-ed by both contestants. It is a funevent to watch! More informa-

FEBRUARY 2013 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 7

Beef store is now open! Sat. 9-4 or by appointment

100% hormone free beef.Selling individual cuts. Buy as little or as much as you want.

Mark & Linda Schramer, Owners8N840 Lakin Road, Maple Park

815.895.4691 • 1-877-FOR-FDBASample Packs make great gifts!

Women’s CornerBy Louise Johnson

Women’s Committee Chair

FOR SALE

Straw for Sale – large 3 x 3 & reg-ular small bales. Call: 847-436-2538

White antique sofa $275; Brownantique chair $125; Print antiquechair $55; Glass Dinning Roomtable & 4 chairs $250; Best offer.Call: 630 443 4678

Farmland 5.25 acres. 2 mi. eastof Maple Park, nestled amongfarmland & established homes.630-513-5511

SERVICES

New horse barns with under-ground utilities and earthwork(grading, electric & water),drainage tiles, pasture clipping,mowing, spraying, new seeding,renovation seeding & fenceinstallation. We follow UofIExtension best management rec-ommendations. 5% discount forFarm Bureau members. GalushaFarms: Tom Berning 630-330-9970, BerningEarthWorks@com-cast.net; Steve Berning, 630-878-6350, steve@GalushaFarm.com Call: 630-330-9970

Jim Verhaeghe & Sons, Inc. –Tree removal, tree trimming, &stump grinding. Backhoe work &Tile Lines. Fully insured – FreeEstimates – Jim Verhaeghe Sr.Call: 847 334 5730

WANTED

Will pick up for free unwanted orold snowmobiles. Also buyingolder Polaris snowmobiles. CallJon, 630-254-9446

The St. Charles Park District hasa full time opening at PrimroseFarm. A dedicated professional isneeded for agricultural program-ming in the community as well asgeneral farm maintenance workfor livestock, museum collectionsand crop farming. A detaileddescription can be found atwww.stcparks.org. This is a year-round, salaried position with astarting range of $32,000+ DOQ.

Gun buy back for Kane countyresidents only. $50.00 Visa cardfor any gun turned in. Funds pro-vided by The Jennifer C. FlahertyMemorial Fund. Call forProcessing 815-600-0305. Stateof Illinois Protocol followed.

Business Opportunity: Vendorsneeded for Earth Day Market,April 20, 2013 in Carol Stream.www.csparks.org. Call 630-784-6114.

CLASSIFIED AD RATESClassified advertising rates: 20cents per word/$10 minimum (50word max). DISCOUNTS for mem-bers: Associate members, 20%;Voting members, 30%; PLUSmembers, 40%. Advance paymentrequested. Ads due by the 15th ofevery month for the next issue. Noadvertising (classified or display)for financial or insurance serviceswill be accepted. Call 630-584-8660.

CLASSIFIED ADS

Ashraf Gerges

Kane County Farm Bureauhonors the person or personswho sign the most members intoour organization. This month,the honor goes to Ashraf Gerges,who signed nine new members.Ashraf has been an agent withCOUNTRY Financial sinceMay 2011. Ashraf serviceclients from the office located at2172 Blackberry Dr. in Genevaand may be reached at 630-262-1059.As a token of our apprecia-

tion, Ashraf will each receivetwo tickets to the CharlestowneMovie Theater. Thank you foryour continued support of theKane County Farm Bureau andcongratulations on your success.

Recruiter of the Month

The Kane County FarmBureau Foundation is offeringseveral scholarships to membersor dependents of members pur-suing college degrees. Thescholarship application deadlineis February 15, 2013.Applicants may qualify forKCFB Agricultural Scholar -ships, KCFB General Scholar -ships, the KCFB President’s

Scholarship, Chuck SwansonMemorial Scholarship, the JohnBuck Memorial Scholarshipand/or Kane County CornGrowers Scholarships. In 2012,the Foundation awarded schol-arships and internships worthnearly $25,000. Applicationsare available at kanecfb.comand at the KCFB office, 2N710Randall Road, St. Charles.

St. Charles/Elgin Agency, Bob Effner, Agency Manager

Ashraf Gerges FinancialRepresentative of the Month

Congratulations to AshrafGerges! He has been named thefinancial Representative of theMonth for December 2012 inthe St. Charles/Elgin Agency, as

announced by Agency Manager,Robert J. Effner, Sr., CLF,LUTCF. Ashraff has positivelyimpacted his clients throughauto, farm, home, life, businessand investments. Ashraf has been with

COUNTRY Financial sinceMay 2011. He services hisclients from his office located at

2172 Blackberry Dr., Unit 100,Geneva, 60134 and may bereached at (P)630-262-1059 orvia email: ashraf.gerges@countryfinancial.com.

Aurora Agency, Kevin Gomes,Agency Manager

Brian Lee, Career FinancialRepresentative with the Aurora

Agency, is our FinancialRepresentative of the Month forDecember 2012. Brian began his career with

COUNTRY Financial inSeptember of 1999 and servicesclients out of his office locatedat 2430 W. Indian Trail, #202,Aurora, 60506, 630/907-8888.

What’s new in the COUNTRY agencies?

Do you have a High SchoolSenior who is planning on pur-suing a college degree in thefield of Agriculture? If you do,make sure he or she checks witha school counselor or vocationalAg teacher for a HintzscheScholarship for Agricultureapplication. Program materials

were sent out electronically thisyear to thirty-five different highschools across the Hintzschemarketing area.Agriculture today is far more

complex and requires moreadvanced technical skills thanthe previous generations neededin order to succeed. The industry

must maintain a continuedsource of trained and qualifiedpersonnel in order to provideadequate succession for the jobvacancies of the future. TheHintzsche Scholarship forAgriculture is just one smallway of giving back to this cause.A $1,000 scholarship will be

awarded to eight outstandingstudents around May 1, 2013.Scholarship winners are select-ed by an impartial panel ofjudges, and are evaluated basedon Academics, Leadership

skills, and a two-page essay.This paper is an important partof the evaluation process as itidentifies the student’s heart andsoul exemplified by a descrip-tion of an experience or eventthat caused their desire to pur-sue a particular area of agricul-ture studies.Applications are due Feb. 18,

2013. For more information,email Joanne Hueber at jhue-ber@hintzsche.com, call 630-557-2406, or go to hintzsche.com/scholarship.

Hintzsche Scholarship for Agriculture 2013

Apply for Foundationscholarships by Feb. 15

Get peace of mindwith water test

The Kane County Farm Bureau and Kane/DuPageSoil and Water Conservation District are cooperat-ing again to offer a water testing program inFebruary 2013. A high quality water supply isvital for families. This program helps providepeace of mind and identifies potential problemareas. Kits are available at KCFB fromMonday, Feb. 11 through Friday, Feb. 22. Pickup test kits from the Kane County Farm Bureau,8:30-5:00 p.m. or from the Kane/DuPage Soil and WaterConservation District, 8:00-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.Collect the water sample on Sunday, Feb. 24 and return it Monday,Feb. 25. Four different kits are available and costs vary dependingon which tests you have performed. Please call KCFB at 630-584-8660 for more information.

Kits available at KCFB starting Feb. 11

Pork ChopsOur special this month is a 5-lb. box of seasoned

pork chops. This is one of our Inboden’s Meats most popular sell-ers, and a Farm Bureau member favorite! Five-pound boxes con-tain: eight 10-ounce chops or ten 8-ounce chops, either bone-in orboneless – your choice. They are thick, juicy and flavorful. Thismonth only, pork chops are $20.00 to plus package members and$22.00 for A or M members. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of our pork BBQ spice while

you’re here. Just $6.90 for Plus+ members or $7.75 (A or M mem-bers) for a 12 oz. bottle. Available at the Kane County Farm Bureau, Randall Rd and

Oak Street in St. Charles for the month of February, or while sup-ply lasts.

FEBRUARYSPECIAL

Find out more www. kanecfb.com

During my brief but busymonth here as Kane

County Farm Bureau’s WinterBreak Intern, I have been, well... busy. I have had to be creativewhen preparing material forpublic events and thorough increating a new database ofinformation. I was even luckyenough to practice my profes-sionalism and networking skillswhen attending the District AgLiteracy Coordinator’s meetingin January. My goal in takingthis internship position was tobroaden my knowledge of theFarm Bureau’s role in agricul-tural education. Working in theoffice with the KCFB staff hasdefinitely assisted me to accom-plish that goal.

The KCFB’s Ag LiteracyProgram and its correspondingevents are vital for agriculturaleducation. In a suburban area, ittakes creativity and variety tomake this information relevantand useful. As I finish my senioryear at Iowa State University, Iam constantly reflecting on mypersonal affiliation with agricul-ture education. The agricultureeducation and FFA program atNewark High School paved theway for me by providing thefoundation I needed for a careerin agriculture, and opened doorsfor me that otherwise would haveremained hidden and unrealistic. The only problem I have

encountered with my expandingcomprehension of the agricul-ture industry is that everythingis interesting to me (to anextent, of course). Although it iseasy for me to become interest-ed in the many topics discussed

daily in agriculture, I realize it isnot the same for everyone else. Iusually like to tell people, “Iknow a little about a lot ofthings” in regard to agriculture.I quickly realized that I couldnot be an expert on all of thesetopics, so my best option wouldbe to share as much as I canwith others in hopes that theywill find maybe one topic inter-esting enough to learn moreabout by taking it into their ownhands. Being here has taught meto keep this idea in mind when Ienter my career in teaching high

school agriculture. My journey since high school

has taken me through theremarkable Joliet Junior CollegeAg department, Iowa Statecourses, a few collegiate organi-zations, two full-hearted sum-mers as Barn Director at thebeautiful 4-H Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, and now at the officesof KCFB. My journey won’t endhere, and you can count on me tocontinue reflecting on the oppor-tunities I have had here.

• • • • •Kane County Farm Bureau

offers summer, winter break andspring break internships forqualified students pursuing acareer in an agricultural field ofstudy. Interns are compensatedand gain valuable job skillswhile providing assistance withKCFB’s Ag in the Classroomprograms and communicationefforts. Candidates with an agri-cultural background and educa-tion or communications empha-sis are preferred, but neither area pre-requisite. Visit kanecfb.com/scholarships for moreinformation.

PAGE 8 KANE COUNTY FARMER FEBRUARY 2013

KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAUBULK PACK FROZEN FRUIT & VEGETABLE SALE

TRUCKLOADFROZEN FOOD SALE!!

INTERNSHIP REFLECTIONSBy Dan Doeing, KCFB Intern

Farm Bureau membersage 18-35 are invited tojoin members of the

Young Farmers Committeefor their annual

Euchre Tournamenton Friday, March 15.Refresher lessons for

euchre novices will start at6:45 p.m. and the tourna-ment will start at 7p.m.Snacks and refreshments

will be provided.New faces are

always welcome!

at Kane County Farm Bureau

Prepare teacher resources & preview new Ag Days

games/activities

Free pizza & refreshments Network with farmers& Ag Professionals

Bring your farming knowledge – we’ll help turn

it into a 4-minute lesson you can present to 4th

graders at the 29th Annual Ag Days, March 19-21

RSVP to 630-584-8660

Thurs., March 14th

4pm - 7pm!