Enhance the quality of life for member families; Promote agriculture, farms & food; and, Advocate good stewardship of our land and resources.

VOL. 82 NO. 5 MAY 2017 KCFB Foundation announces 14 scholars The Kane County Farm agricultural literacy and prepar - scholarships and internships. Prerequisites and more details at the conclusion of Touch-A- Bureau Foundation will award ing students for careers in the Foundation scholarship on scholarship requirements are Tractor in April at Kane County over $14,000 in college scholar - agriculture industry. In its histo - applications are submitted by available at www.kanecfb.com. Farm Bureau. The Foundation ships this year to 14 future ag ry, it has awarded hundreds of Feb. 15 each year and recipients KCFB Foundation scholars Board extends congratulations industry professionals. After a thousands of dollars in college are announced in April. were recognized at a ceremony to these young leaders of tomor - review of over 30 applications, KCFB Foundation scholars row and best wishes in their the Foundation Board of assembled at a ceremony academic pursuits. Directors has awarded seven concluding the 2017 The following students Foundation agricultural scholar - Touch-A-Tractor event at received $1,000 KCFB ships, one general scholarship, Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships. Their three memorial scholarships, on April 9th. Although bios will be included in the June two AGCO scholarships and many recipients are away Kane County Farmer. one President’s Scholarship. at school and weren’t able “We had another wonderful to attend, seven scholars Jackson Kettelkamp group of students apply for were present for the cere - Jacie Panek scholarships this year,” said mony. Pictured from left to Catherine Gorenz Foundation Vice-President right are: Jacie Panek, Vanessa Gould Wayne Schneider. “It is impres - Monica Zimmerman, sive what these students have Jaide Panek Jackson Kettelkamp, Jaide Alicia Sunderlage already accomplished within Panek, Heidi Harbecke, Kyle Yorke agriculture, and we look for - Jessica Bowgren, and ward to seeing what they will Vanessa Gould. William Dumoulin continue to contribute during their time in college and in their successive careers.” As a not-for-profit entity, the Calling all teachers – Foundation solicits and distrib - utes private funding for scholar - ship, education and leadership Register for KCFB’s Summer Ag Institutes training, Ag-in-the-Classroom Once again, Kane County gather lots of lessons to take have time to speak with individ - offered this summer to gradu - programs, Ag Literacy, charita - Farm Bureau has two exciting back to the classroom. Learn ual farmers, tour agri-business - ates of any year’s SAI I class. ble activities and research. The and educational tours planned through hands-on experience es, see how agriculture affects This is your chance to visit Foundation was established in for area teachers in June. This is and meet farmers for firsthand your daily life, and network farms and businesses with the 1989 by the Kane County Farm an excellent opportunity to earn knowledge of today’s best agri - with other teachers. Discuss and emphasis on STEM. Possible Bureau to carry out charitable college graduate credits from cultural practices. become knowledgeable about sites include innovative new work in the advancement of Aurora University, as well as Summer Ag Institute 1 is GMO’s, sustainability, organic agricultural sites, a grain farm scheduled for June 12-16 practices, and other hot topics. with a new twist, and agricul - Our very popular summer Summer Ag Institute 2 is ture businesses. class is a week-long look at the scheduled for June 27-30, and Please contact Suzi Meyers many different facets of agricul - focuses STEM and Agriculture. at 630-584-8660 for more infor - ture in Kane County. This is A 4 day event focusing on mation about the Summer Ag your chance to tour local farms, STEM and Agriculture is being Institutes or to register. Kane County Farm Bureau’s Summer Ag Institutes are an excellent opportunity for teachers to learn about many aspects of agriculture and obtain ideas and lessons to take back to their class - rooms. Teachers get to tour work - ing farms, just like this dairy farm, and learn about agriculture directly Two year old Zion Creutz of Elgin is the lucky winner of a brand new pedal from farmers. There are two insti - tractor in the Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation’s 2017 pedal tractor tutes offered – the first is open to raffle. He is the son of Tommy and Kelly Creutz. See a full list of this year’s anyone, and the second is open to winners on page 7. graduates of the first class.

DATES TO REMEMBER May May 4 CONNECT WITH US Board of Directors, 7:30pm May 17 Women’s Committee, 9:15am May Featured Product May 18 Kane County Board Ag Members save $8 on admission with Steakhouse Boneless Pork Chops Committee, 10am, County This month we’re offering steakhouse boneless marinated pork Administration Building New 2017 Kane County Member Benefit chops! Each box comes with ten sealed 8 oz. chops. These May 29 Plan a visit to Santa’s Village Azoosment Park with a new KCFB Smokehouse Pork Chops are marinated in a balsamic reduction Memorial Day – Office Closed member benefit for 2017. The park is open weekends from May with mustard seed and just a hint of onion. They are very popular, 12–June 11th and open daily beginning June 12 – August 18th. high quality meat ready for your grill. The prices for the General admission tickets are $24.25 (age 2 and under are free) Smokehouse Boneless marinated pork chops for members are KCFB member ticket price is $16.25 (no tax or service fees) and NO $23.00 for PLUS members, $25.00 for members, and $28.00 for BLACKOUT DATES. Enjoy 20 rides and 100’s of animals. Target Non-members. These special pork chops are available while sup - audience is 12 and younger. Parking is FREE and food & drink can ply lasts for the month of May at the Kane County Farm Bureau, be brought in. Call the Kane County Farm Bureau for more informa - Randall Rd. and Oak St. in St. Charles. tion and purchase tickets at 630-584-8660. PAGE 2 KANE COUNTY FARMER MAY 2017 KCFB Board meeting review The April meeting of the and Sales Tax Exemptions. KCFB has agreed to be a Fit for Foundation ‘pilot’ for 16) and Summer Ag Institute II Kane County Farm Bureau White also circulated informa - Kids “Brown Bag for Healthy Foundation fundraiser tracking (June 27-30) both currently Board of Directors was called to tion about the IFB “New Kids” sponsor. Arnold reminded is ongoing. have 6 registrations. National order at 7:30 pm on April 4, Horizon” Award for new pro - directors about the AGCO/GSI B. Collins gave the PR & AITC Conference is scheduled 2017 after a report on the grams that meet the IFB Board’s grain bin safety display at Membership Report. He for June 20-23 in Kansas City, 2016 Audit from Ty Lein, established priorities, and gave Touch-A-Tractor and informed informed the board of contribu - Missouri. CPA, Senior Associate at directors a report from the poli - them that KCFB has purchased tions to the KCFB Foundation The board also received CliftonLarsonAllen. cy review committee meeting complimentary items including during the previous month updates from the Young Farmers President White gave his from earlier in April. a Turtle Tube rescue sleeve and including: Harvest for All Committee. This update report, starting with an update Arnold gave a Managers rescue auger. April 1st marked Contributions by: Anne informed directors that 4 on the IFB Grant Committee. report, circulating a Member - the start date for PM Getzelman & Brian Sebastian to Committee members are signed He circulated a letter from IFB ship Matters Monthly newslet - (Professional Membership) and Burlington Hampshire Food up to attend the 2017 IFB Young president Rich Guebbert Jr. and ter and calendar of events. He Kane County Farm Bureau’s Pantry and FOOD>Forward Leader Tour to Ontario in July informed on Livestock Siting informed board members that participation in an IAA contributions by Roger & and 2 Burlington FFA members Theresa Biddle. and advisor Ryan Robinson Joe White delivered the attended the 2017 Youth Special thanks to the Foundation report. He stated Employees of AGCO Conference in April. A grain bin that 14 scholarships were award - safety and extraction demonstra - Parts in Batavia IL for ed to students this year. The tion was hosted on April 15 at helping to make the 12th scholarships were funded by the Biddle Farm for area fire Annual Touch-A-Tractor donors via the Food>Forward departments. The Young event a huge success. Program and several sponsors. Contributions from AGCO Food>Forward raises funds for Farmers Committee provided Employees funded two classroom education about food lunch for those in attendance. new scholarships this and farming, and provides col - Lastly, directors addressed year to help secure the lege scholarships to local stu - the election of directors and future of farms and food. dents studying for careers in officers. Joe White, Wayne Their presence was seen agriculture. Schneider and Mike Kenyon all around this year’s A written Ag-in-the- will serve on the executive com - event, in farm equipment, Classroom report from Suzi mittee as president, vice-presi - games, and even DIY Myers was circulated. dent and secretary/treasurer garden prizes. SPROUTS (Spring Program of respectively. Reading & Outreach to Urban The next scheduled Kane Teachers and Students) is County Farm Bureau Board of scheduled for April 17-21. Directors meeting will be held 1st AGCO Global Womens’ Network Summer Ag Institute I (June 12- on Thursday, May 4 at 7:30pm. KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU BOARD ATTENDANCE Scholarship goes to Sycamore senior JANUARY 2017 THRU DECEMBER 2017 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JLY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Heidi Harbecke has been Heidi is a senior at Sycamore A long-term goal Heidi has set C. BRADLEY X X X X X X X X X X X awarded the first ever AGCO High School She is active in the in place for herself is to better F. CARLSON X X X X X X X X X X X Parts: AGCO Global Women’s Sycamore FFA chapter, on the the world and to not to be known B. COLLINS X X X X X X X X X X X X Network Scholarship. Heidi is high school soccer team, and on by her name but rather by the C. COLLINS X X X X X X X X X X X X the daughter of Ron and Beth the high school volleyball team. impact she helps make, as J. ENGEL X X X X X X X X X X XX X Harbecke of Sycamore. Heidi is also involved in a wide impacts last longer than names. G. GAITSCH X X X X X X X X X X X X The AGCO Parts: AGCO variety of leadership roles in the B. GEHRKE X X X X X X X X X X X X GWN Scholarship was started Sycamore community, including W. KECK X X X X X X X X X X X M. KENYON X X X X X X X X X X X X in 2017 and provides a $1,000 the Big Sis Little Sis program. K. KETTLEKAMP X X X X X X X X X X X X college scholarship annually to Heidi hopes to attend D. LEHRER X X X X X X X X X X X X a female student who resides in Louisiana State University next N. LONG X X X X X X X X X X X X Illinois and is pursuing higher year and major in engineering. D. PITSTICK X X X X X X X X X X X education in an agriculture She feels the field of engineer - W. SCHNEIDER X X X X X X X X X X X X related field. The scholarship is ing can greatly contribute to J. WHITE X X X X X X X X X X X X funded by the Employees of agriculture, an industry that has AGCO Parts in Batavia, IL. shaped the person she is today. Kane County Farmer Heidi Harbecke KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU PUBLISHED MONTHLY Bowgren receives Steven J. Arnold, Editor CONNECT WITH US Suzi Myers, Ag Literacy Coordinator Audre Pack, Training Specialist President’s Scholarship Elizabeth Polovin, Member Services Coordinator Kristi Van Oost, Development & Program Coordinator The Kane County Farm Kaneland varsity tennis team. Valerie Johnson, Administrative & Program Assistant Bureau Foundation has awarded She served as Kaneland FFA OFFICE: Randall Rd. between Routes 64 & 38 its $1500 President’s Scholar - Secretary for one year before Address: 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles ship to Jessica Bowgren. This being elected Vice President for PHONE: 630-584-8660 honor is reserved two years in a row. [email protected] www.kanecfb.com for the high school Jessica will OFFICE HOURS: 8:3 0-4:30 Monday though Friday senior among this attend Iowa State (USPS No. 289700) year’s applicants University, major - POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kane County Farmer You receive the Kane County 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174 with the most out - ing in animal sci - Farmer because you are a Farm standing combina - ence. Her passion Periodical Postage • Paid to St. Charles, IL 60174 Bureau member. If you are a farm Year Subscription: $2.00 tion of scholastics, for animals led her operator or owner, you benefit activities, goals, and to select his major. from a local, state and national ACT score. In the future, she organization committed to agri - ■ DISTRICT 1 Joe White Mike Kenyon Jessica’s parents are hopes to specialize Aurora, Sugar Grove, President Secretar y/Treasurer culture and your way of life. Big Rock Twnshp. 47W727 Main St. Rd. 1250 E. Main St. Steve and Gaye in animal nutrition If you do not have direct ties Elburn, IL 60119 South Elgin, IL 60177 Jessica Bowgren Nan Long Bowgren. and would like to to farming, your membership 11461 E. County Line Rd. 630-557-2517 847-741-1818 Jessica is from make the livestock helps promote local farms and Big Rock, IL 60511 ■ DISTRICT 3 Craig Bradley Maple Park and attends industry better by creating diets, farming, encourages wise use of 815-693-7214 Virgil, Campton, 37W791 Orchard Lane Kaneland High School. She has feeds, or supplements that can Donna Lehrer St. Charles Twnshp. Elgin, IL 60124 our limited natural resources and 847-888-2380 been active in FFA, Ukulele provide benefits to the entire 7S027 Jericho Rd. Frank Carlson preserves farmland and our agri - Big Rock, IL 60511 104 Sumac Court ■ DISTRICT 5 Club, and a member of the agricultural industry. cultural heritage while allowing 630-556-3476 St. Charles, IL 60174 Hampshire, Rutland, you to enjoy COUNTRY insur - William Keck 630-513-9980 Dundee Twnshp. ance and the many other benefits P.O. Box 281 Chris Collins Joe Engel Beef store is now open! Sugar Grove, IL 60554 1143 Anderson 516 Sawgrass Ln. of one of Illinois’ premier mem - 630-466-4668 Elburn, IL 60119 Hampshire, IL 60140 By appointment only bership organizations. ■ DISTRICT 2 630-934-4642 847-347-5561 We appreciate your member - Kaneville, Blackberry, Dale Pitstick Gerald Gaitsch ship and continued support and Gen ./ Bat. Twnshp. 128 N Hadsall St. 10613 Brittany Ave. we welcome your comments on Bill Collins Genoa, IL 60135 Huntley, IL 60142 the content of the Farmer . We 1125 Lewis Rd. 630-816-0223 847-669-2003 ■ 100% hormone free beef. encourage you to make recom - Geneva, IL 60134 DISTRICT 4 Wayne Schneider Selling individual cuts. Buy as little or as much as you want. 630-484-6852 Burlington, Plato Vice President mendations about farm, home, Karl Kettelkamp Elgin Twnshp. 721 Lindsay Lane 815.895.4691 food, natural resource, renewable 0S860 Rowe Rd. Beth Gehrke West Dundee, IL 60118 energy or agricultural heritage and Elburn, IL 60119 12N860 US Hwy. 20 847-428-0488 Mark & Linda Schramer, Owners 630-365-2713 Elgin, IL 60124 8N840 Lakin Road, Maple Park Sample Packs make great gifts! history related topics for inclusion in future issues of the Farmer . 847-697-2538 MAY 2017 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 3 Farm Bureau member benefit spotlight: Swanson Memorial Peace of Mind Medical Alert Scholarship awarded to When is the right time to con - A medical alarm device can need it most. The U.S. based sider protecting yourself or a provide the independence for the monitoring center includes all Monica Zimmerman loved one with a medical alert elderly that spend time alone, EMD certified phone attendants The Kane County Farm Scholar and a member of the system? Unfortunately, there is peace of mind for family mem - that stay on the line with you Bureau Foundation named National Honor Society. She no crystal ball that can pinpoint bers and reassurance that if one until help arrives and is open Monica Zimmerman was also active on the correct answer. One out of of the afore-mentioned occur - 24/7 365 days a year. of Maple Park as the the Debate Team, three Americans age 65 or older rences does take place, help is PeaceofMind Alert is an recipient of the Student Ambas- fall at least once a year, and the just a push of a button away. ILFB Member Benefit, which $1000 Chuck sadors and Student chances of surviving a fall are six With a medical alert system means you will receive a Free Swanson Memorial Council. times greater if you are found in from PeaceofMind Alert you Month of Monitoring accompa - Scholarship. Monica Currently Monica one hour. Every minute that a will remain independent in the nied with absolutely no ship - is the daughter of attends University of stroke victim goes unattended, comfort of your home while hav - ping, set-up, or activation fees. Steven and Julie Illinois where she the chance of permanent disabili - ing the peace of mind knowing Call us at 217-994-9015 or toll Zimmerman. studies crop science. ty or death increases dramatically. that help will be there when you free at 855-872-8404. The Chuck She was introduced Swanson Memorial to agriculture while Scholarship was Monica Zimmerman interning one sum - FB News Briefs established by the mer for the SMITHFIELD EYEING (FarmWeekNow.com ) later. ( FarmWeekNow.com ) family and friends of the former University of Illinois Research TRANSPLANTS – Smithfield GLOBAL GLUT – U.S. AFBF PUSHES FOR TAX Farm Bureau Director and long- Center. She hopes to eventually Foods has established a separate farmers reluctant to sell corn at REFORM – Farmers need a tax time volunteer to provide awards work in fruits and vegetables by bioscience unit to expand its role today’s below-break even prices code that recognizes agriculture for students residing in Kane both conventional and more in supplying pig parts for med - are stuffing crops in every avail - faces unique financial risks, County pursuing a degree in an advanced methods like vertical ical uses, with the ultimate goal able space, and even piling it on AFBF’s Pat Wolff testified agriculture-related career field. gardening or of selling pig organs for trans - the ground, hoping to store it before the House Agriculture Monica graduated from hydroponics. plantation into humans. The long enough for prices to rise. Committee. “Tax priorities and Rosary High School in 2016 company joined a public-private The picture is much the same policies are needed the support where she was both an AP tissue engineering consortium across the globe, with world high-risk, high-input, capital- with companies including stockpiles of corn and wheat at intensive businesses like farms Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic record highs. According to the and ranches that predominately The Chuck Swanson Memorial Scholarship was and United Therapeutics Corp, USDA, global stocks of corn, operate as sole proprietors and established by the family and friends of the former but is the only pork producer in wheat, rice and soybeans com - pass-through entities,” said Farm Bureau Director and long-time volunteer. Chuck Swanson the group. ( Reuters ) bined will hit 671.1 million tons Wolff, AFBF’s tax policy spe - BRAZILIAN BEAN CROP by next harvest. ( Reuters ) cialist. ( FarmWeekNow.com ) COULD SURPASS 4 BIL - CHINA AGREES TO STATE LAWMAKERS Heckel-Blickle Memorial LION BU. – Nearly two-thirds REOPEN TO U.S. BEEF – EXAMINING TAX OPTIONS of the Brazilian soybean harvest President Donald Trump and – IFB opposes some proposed is complete, but production esti - Chinese President Xi Jinping changes to the state sales tax Scholarship awarded mates there continue to grow as have reached a deal in principle being explored in the state. An strong yields and additional to allow U.S. beef into China for amendment, sponsored by Sen. to ISU student acres pushed the latest USDA the first time since 2003. AFBF John Mulroe, D-Chicago, would Susie Thompson has been Association FFA and was also estimate higher. According to Trade Adviser Dave Salmonsen, make numerous changes to the awarded the Mary L. Heckel- very active in FFA during high that estimate, the country’s soy - however, says China has said current state sales tax law. Those Blickle Memorial school, serving as bean crop will surpass the 4-bil - before that it’s allowing U.S. changes would end and rollback Scholarship. Susie President, Vice lion-bushel mark for the first beef access to the $7 billion several agricultural-related sales is from Maple Park President, and time at 4.07 billion bushels. market only to reverse course tax incentives and exemptions. and is the daughter Secretary for of Michael and Section 6, and as Jennifer Thompson. President and Engineering major at Iowa State The Mary L. Secretary for Heckel-Blickle Burlington-Central University wins AGCO Scholarship Memorial FFA. Susie received Scholarship was numerous awards Erik Dunteman has been dent who resides in Illinois and Rock High School in 2014, Erik started in 2015, and within FFA, includ - awarded the first ever AGCO is pursuing higher education in chose to attend Iowa State provides a $1,000 Susie Thompson ing Top 10 Illinois Parts Division Scholarship. Erik an agriculture related field. The University. college scholarship FFA Section is the son of William and Kari scholarship is funded by the Erik is a part of the Iowa annually to a student who President, the American FFA Dunteman of Big Rock. Employees of AGCO Parts in State SpaceX Hyperloop Pod resides in Kane or Macon Degree, Outstanding Senior The AGCO Parts division Batavia, IL. design team and is an active County Illinois. Mary’s family FFA member, Most Active FFA scholarship was started in 2017 In high school, Erik was member in the FarmHouse established the scholarship to member, and the State FFA and provides a $1,000 college active in FFA and 4-H. After Fraternity. Currently, he is pay tribute to her farming legacy Degree. scholarship annually to a stu - graduating from Hinckley Big studying mechanical engineer - and promote the growth of the Susie was also active in ing with the intention of special - next generation of agricultural 4-H, the Joliet Junior College izing in agricultural mechanics. leaders. Student Agriculture Assoc- Steininger awarded Buck He hopes to one day be able to After graduating from iation, and CHS Student Burlington-Central High School give back to the agricultural Council. community by helping to engi - and attending Joliet Junior Memorial Scholarship Currently she attends Illinois neer equipment to help advance College for one year, Susie Allison Steininger has been of the Alliance for Disability the agriculture industry. served as the 2015-16 State State University, majoring in awarded the Buck Memorial Awareness Club and has been to Secretary for the Illinois Agricultural communications. Scholarship. The scholarship the Women in Science and provides $1,000 for Engineering tuition and fees for Leadership students pursuing Conference as well higher education in as the North an agriculture relat - American Junior Red ed field. Angus Event Quiz This marks the Bowl. Currently, 16th year the schol - Allison is an animal arship has been science major with awarded to students hopes of getting a job Erik Dunteman in the seven county in the animal nutri - service area around Allison Steininger tion field once she the Buck Bros./ graduates. J.W.Turf John Deere dealership in Hampshire. It is made possi - ble by gifts from the family and friends of the late John Buck, who established the company in 1977. Allison is from Elburn and graduated Kaneland High School in 2014 where she was involved in both FFA and 4-H, showing beef cattle. Now attending Iowa State University and majoring in ani - mal science, Allison is Treasurer PAGE 4 KANE COUNTY FARMER MAY 2017 learning experience for many. fluttered around the tabletop. Like fish in an aquarium, I never After I retired and started Their last stop was to the farm tire of watching the chicks working at the Farm Bureau, where they will mature and pro - drink, scratch, fall asleep in a Nancy would still be my suppli - duce eggs for the farm family. huddle, and stand in their food. I AG LITERACY CORNER er, only now she hatched the They deserve a life on the farm also never tire of the wonder on eggs and brought the chicks to after all the “teaching” they a child’s face when they touch By Suzi Myers Ag Days and Touch-A-Tractor accomplished within the first the soft chick. The baby chick’s for all to see and touch. Things week of their lives. season is over for now, but I’m change, as has the supplier of So, I have many happy mem - sure next spring will once again the chicks, who is now a farm ories of spring and baby chicks. revolve around chicks. pring means a lot of things visit to Ag Days (yes, my stu - supply company. I’m blessed to Sto me, one of which is the dents attended Ag Days for have found good homes for the hatching of eggs in my class - many years). At Ag Days, we chicks, some have gone to a Book of the month room. When I taught fourth would meet Nancy and Ken Wisconsin farm and lately they Did you know that humans that pollination.) grade, the hatching of the eggs Meyer – the poultry presenters – have remained in Kane County. collected honey from bees as If you are interested in books was a highlight of the year. who would supply the eggs for This year brought even more early as 15,000 BC? concerning bees and pollina - We began the year watching us to hatch. The deal was that I changes ... due to a variety of Did you know that we “dis - tion, we have many available for Monarch caterpillars eat milk - would hatch the eggs and then reasons, this year the Ag Days covered” how bees pollinate check out from our agricultural weed plant leaves like there was bring them out to Nancy’s farm students and I learned about flowers in 1750? library here at the KCFB. Our no tomorrow, growing by leaps to live. It always made the stu - baby turkeys (poults). We Lorenzo Langstroth designed library began due to a request and bounds until they finally dents feel better about giving learned the difference between a the modern beehive, made of years ago by Bob Konen and formed their chrysalis. It was their special chicks to a known poult and a chick. At Touch-A- movable frames in 1851? Dean Dunn. We have an ever only a few days ( 10-14) before farmer, Nancy. Tractor, all the children saw the All these questions came growing selection of titles. these green with gold trim When the eggs arrived, we’d baby chicks arrayed in black, from the” Bees Timeline” in chrysalises were broken open by put them in the incubator, with yellow, grey, and brown. They front of the book. Inside the the emerging Monarch butterfly. an automatic turner, and wait the learned how the chick came book are pages that cover the The children watched with won - long 21 days till the little chicks from the egg; what the chick parts of a bee, why flowers need der as the butterfly hung onto arrived. Their peeping filled the eats; how fast it will grow up to bees, why bees swarm and the remains of the chrysalis, classroom. The chicks would be be a hen/rooster and how soft much more. There is a glossary, flapping its wings to dry them the hit of the school, not only they are before the feathers a list of honeybee talents off and get the blood circulating with my students, but all class - replace the down. (including that they fly about 15 until they took off in flight. rooms had the ability of come These six chicks spent the 3 mph), as well as a “Did You Spring brought our yearly see the little ones, so it was a day weekend being touched and Know?” page at the end of the marveled at by the children and book. their families. However, they The book contains a lot of were not finished. On Monday, FB News Brief facts and helps to point out the they went to visit a group of DEEP FREEZE WIPES OUT FRUIT CROP – Agriculture need for bees in our lives. (Did older folks, who enjoyed touch - officials estimate March’s deep freeze in the southern U.S. could you know that one out of every You Wouldn’t Want to Live ing, corralling, and watching the total about $1 billion lost in peaches and blueberries, with South 3 bites of food we eat is due to Without Bees! little chicks as they walked and Carolina and Georgia bearing the brunt of the damage. South pollination? We need bees for by Alex Woolf Carolina’s ag department says about 85 percent of the peach crop was lost; blueberries in Georgia were cut by 80 percent. ( Washington Post ) MAY 2017 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 5

Compiled by Suzi Myers Tasty trivia Ham • Americans eat nearly 50 bil - • According to McDonald’s, the record for biggest burger lion burgers a year, which chain sells 75 burgers every • The origin of the hamburger is burgers translates to three burgers a single second of every minute not very clear, but the prevail - week for every single person of every hour of every single ing version is that at the end of in the United States. That’s a day. 1800’s, European emigrants Cheese lot of beef. • The Library of Congress cred - reached America on the ships burgers • McDonald’s mogul Ray Kroc its Louis Lassen of Louis of the Hamburg Lines and were didn’t get into the burger busi - Lunch sandwich shop in New served meat patties quickly ness until he was in his 50s. Haven, CT as the creator of the cooked on the grill and placed All-American • White Castle is the oldest hamburger as we know it. between two pieces of bread. good burger chain in America. It • The Hamburger hall of fame • The Library of Congress has was started in 1921 by Walter is located in Seymour, WI. officially declared that Louis A. Anderson and E.W. Ingram • The most hamburgers eaten in Lassen of Louis’ Lunch, a who sold their burgers for 5 3 minutes is 12 and was small lunch wagon in New any way you stack ‘em cents each. achieved by Takeru Kobayashi Haven, Connecticut, sold the • Burgers account for 40 per - (Japan) on the set of “Lo first hamburger and steak meat and half bacon. cent of all sandwiches sold. Show dei Record” in Milan, Uncle Joe’s Kimchi Burger: • Despite its American populari - Italy, on 11 July 2014. sandwich in the U.S. in 1900 Hamburgers of Seoul, South Luther Burger: The origin is ty, we have the Germans to • On September 2, 2012, the • Lionel Sternberger is reputed to Korea invented this hamburger disputed. According to legend, have invented the cheeseburg - the burger was named for and thank for our beloved ham - Black Bear Casino Resort near that includes kimchi (Korean hot, er in 1926. The experimenting was a favorite (and possible burger. Carlton, Minnesota made the fermented cabbage) in the 16 year old fry cook at The Rite invention) of singer, songwriter • Hamburgers are also called the world-record bacon cheese - preparation. Spot in Pasadena, California and record producer Luther Liberty Sandwich because sol - burger that weighed 2,014 Two bars, Matt’s Juicy Lucy: Vandross. It is a hamburger or diers during WWI wanted to pounds (914 kg). Guinness added American cheese to a and 5-8 Club in South cheeseburger prepared with one avoid using the German name. World Records verified the sizzling hamburger. Minneapolis both claim to have or more glazed doughnuts in invented this cheese- burger that place of the bun. has the cheese inside the meat Bacon Double Cheeseburger Grilled Cheese Sandwich patty rather than on the top. The Rice Burger is found in Japan/SE Asia, where the bun is Topped with Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook 2 slices bread tender, about 5-7 minutes. Hawaiian Burger: made of rice. pineapple and often teriyaki Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 1 tablespoon butter Add the garlic and sauté until sauce (from the Japanese- “$100 hamburger” is aviation minutes Servings: 1 1/4 cup cheddar, shredded fragrant, about a minute. American culture). slang for a pilot needing an All of the flavors of a bacon 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded Add the ground beef and cook excuse to fly. A $100 hamburger double cheese burger in a grilled 1/4 cup lettuce, shredded draining any grease when done. Chandler Goff, the Hamdog: trip typically involves flying a cheese sandwich with plenty of 1/4 cup tomatoes, diced Mix in the ketchup, mustard, owner of Mulligan’s, a suburban short distance (less than two ooey gooey melted cheese! 1 tablespoon pickle, diced Worcestershire sauce, salt and bar in Decatur, Georgia, invented hours), eating at an airport pepper, simmer to reduce, the hamdog in February 2005. It Ingredients Directions restaurant, and flying home. 2 strips bacon, cut into 1 inch Cook the bacon in a pan over remove from heat and set aside. consists of a hot dog that is Heat a clean pan over medium wrapped in a beef patty, deep- Quadruple Bypass Burger: pieces The burger weighs two pounds 1/2 small onion, diced heat. fried, covered with chili, a handful Butter the outside side of each of French fries, and a fried egg. and the name is derived from the 1 clove garlic, chopped fact that the burger is unhealthy. slice of bread, place one slice in a Found in 1/4 pound ground beef 50/50 burger: The burger is available in Las pan buttered side down, sprinkle California, A half ground bacon, 1 tablespoon ketchup Vegas, Nevada at the Heart on half of the cheese, then top half ground beef burger patty 1 teaspoon mustard Attack Grill, a restaurant known with the the bacon, beef, lettuce, developed by Scott Slater for 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire for being honest about the fact tomato and pickle followed by the Slater’s 50/50 restaurant. sauce that their food is unhealthy. medium heat, set aside on paper remaining cheese and slice of Another variety is half kangaroo salt and pepper or steak season - ing to taste towels to drain reserving 1 tea - bread, buttered side up. spoon of grease in the pan and Cook until golden brown on Hamburgers the rest elsewhere. both sides and the cheese is melt - Add the onion and sauté until ed, about 2-4 minutes per side. CALIFORNIASIDBLUGLHW ESAERGMRLVHGMUETOWC I ONIONXOOLCILNNEIDNIS Hamburger cookies EZARQMKJMEIQDI JRMJWC (from tablespoon.com) 3. Make a circle of red frost - 1 cup shredded coconut ing on top of the grasshopper EWQGGEQ I LPACYSNFAMDO Few drops of Green food coloring cookie to look like the tomato or MI YNTYKPQELL I RGOHHNN 20 vanilla wafer cookies ketchup. Drizzle a little yellow DTYC I LSTSREPPEPFSEAS 10 grasshopper fudge cookies frosting for mustard. LJHVUFOIECUTTELAMASI (or any that look like a patty) 4. Top generously with your 1 pouch (7 oz) red icing green coconut to look like let - RUKUBMADROCERUCSVGEN 1 pouch (7 oz) yellow icing tuce. PCLEZNJFVYHDDWFTPKNS 1. Place coconut in a small 5. Finish by placing second I HENNREGRUBMAHWHOMWO zip-top plastic bag and add some vanilla wafer on top as the top XF I OQJBFLDMYYP ICKLET green food coloring. Shake burger bun. around until food coloring has ACYPATTYAGOWEBP I BGWA absorbed and turned the coconut CAH I QHNMNXEC L L SSX L UM green. MIRTGETUIVIRTLUUBEUO 2. For each burger you will EUMSKOARGRALMGSYRYTT need two vanilla wafers as the buns. Place a small dot of frosting PSHPOMAK I NZWGADWGENR on the bottom bun and then place HCTWYMUPRT L ASONRKFKC your grasshopper cookie on top QOUCGXFPOTUUNGOYYXYM to look like a hamburger patty. Events in May KTPAMSL I HPGXREPWBMNZ National : BEEF GREASE KIMCHI PATTY SALT Foster Care Month • Barbecue BUN GRILL LETTUCE PEPPER SANDWICH Congratulations Month • Bike Month • Blood CALIFORNIA HAMBURGER MAYONNAISE PICKLE SEASONINGS Karen Reckner of Big Rock! Pressure Month • Hamburger Month FAST HAMDOG ONION RECORD TOMATO Her name was chosen from the • Photograph Month • Salad Month • GERMANY KETCHUP ORIGINAL RICE WISCONSIN entries received for correctly Older Americans Month completing last month’s Word Name ______Search Puzzle. For Her partici - Weekly Celebrations: Nurse’s Week – first full week of Address ______pation, she receives a fun bag month of tree themed goodies! Thank Wildflower Week – week two City______State ______Zip ______you, Karen, for reading the National Bike Week – third week Kane County Farmer and con - Telephone (______)______Email ______Age _____ tinue to watch each month for National Police Week – third week Return to: Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Road, St Charles, IL 60174 by May 15, 2017 more great opportunities from of month to be entered in our drawing for a hamburger-themed prize. the Kane County Farm Bureau. Emergency Medical Services Week – fourth week of month PAGE 6 KANE COUNTY FARMER MAY 2017 time for all of us to help these meatballs with spaghetti sauce and use bees, and other pollinators. 1 jar spaghetti sauce spoon to spread sauce entirely Plant native pollinator plants, 1 pkg. (2 cups) mozzarella over meatballs and biscuits. Top Women’s Corner even in a small area in your cheese with mozzarella cheese. yard. Your flower area should Spray 13x9x2 inch pan with Bake at 375 degrees for 30- By Louise Johnson bloom throughout the summer. cooking spray. Cut each biscuit 40 minutes, until biscuits look Women’s Committee Chair Then plan to leave the foliage into 8 pieces and put them even - golden. Let stand for 5 minutes uncut all winter to provide for ly on bottom of pan. Place then cut into 12 pieces and overwintering bees. Bees need meatballs evenly in pan. Top enjoy. University of Illinois Extension areas that provide nectar and “The spring is sprung, the grass is riz. has a website with helpful plant - pollen from flowers, nesting I wonder where the boidie is. ing hints, including a list of har - sites (underground and aban - Grow the perfect lawn diness: https://web.extension. doned cavities or clumps of They say the boidie’s on the wing. illinois.edu/vegguide/step06.cfm grasses), and overwintering But that’s absoid. The wing is on A Kane County native bee sites for hibernating queens & garden by testing soil has been put on the endangered (undisturbed soil). A great service the Farm for the best comparison. the boid.” list. The “Rusty Patched Here is a quick and easy and Bureau offers its members is soil Why does Farm Bureau provide — Anonymous Bumble Bee” is the first U.S. hearty recipe, for a cold day testing. Make sure your soil is this service? Kane County Farm Now that warm weather is bee, of any kind, in the contigu - before summer arrives, from my ready for spring planting. Visit Bureau was founded in 1912 as here, do not be too early plant - ous 48 states to be declared friend, Elaine. www.kanecfb.com and click on the Kane County Farm ing outside! Some exceptions endangered. Kane County area Meatball Subs benefits and services for a soil Improvement Association, to help are carrots, broccoli, cauli - conservation groups have united 1 can jumbo, flaky biscuits test form, or pick one up at the farmers improve their production flower, and leaf-lettuce. The to restore habitat. Now is the 1 recipe of your favorite KCFB office. Deliver samples to practices and increase the fertility Kane County Farm Bureau with and productivity of their soil. payment. Results are sent direct - This program is an extension of Thanks to our donor s... ly to you by mail. Call the 630- that. It helps you take the guess Our FOUNDATION is dedicated to providing agriculture based education for the next generation, 584-8660 for more details. work out of gardening! and to meeting the challenge of providing food for a hungry planet. We look forward to continuing There are three different tests Additional help for your support for scholarships, along with local classrooms and teachers, leadership training, and commu - available. Prices listed are for lawn & garden is available nity youth education through grants to local FFA Chapters and 4-H. Kane County Farm Bureau through the University of members. Ask us how to save Illinois Master Gardeners. The KCFB FOUNDATION offers its sincere appreciation to even more when you upgrade Contact them at 630-584-6166 the following for their contributions. Names shown are pledges your membership to a PLUS or visit their office at 535 received from March 20 through April 20. membership. Randall Rd., St. Charles. Through Harvest for ALL, KCFB members have contributed the equiv - Why test your soil? Soil in its alent of nearly 1.75 million meals to local food pantries. natural state is rarely fertile Donor Beneficiary enough for the best growth of Soil test costs Stojan’s Vegetables Salvation Army of St. Charles, plants. Usually it is necessary to Basic PH Test Salvation Army of DeKalb replenish the earth’s store of $20 per sample for members plant nutrients to obtain the This test checks for soil pH, most vigorous lawn, the most phosphorus, and potassium. FB News Brief abundant and brilliant flowers, Lawn/Garden Test the prettiest trees and shrubs ILLINOIS’ POPULATION DECLINE – For the third consecutive year, Illinois has lost more resi - $30 per sample for members and the greatest yield of fresh dents than any other state, losing 37,508 people in 2016. According to U.S. census data released Tuesday, Includes the basic test veggies. plus organic matter and the decline puts Illinois’ population at the lowest is has been in nearly a decade. Illinois is among just When is the best time to test eight states to lose residents. Similarly, of the country’s 10 largest cities, Chicago was the only one to drop recommendations on amount soil? Proper sampling is impor - in population between 2015 and 2016. ( Chicago Tribune ) and timing of fertilizer. tant to obtain accurate results. Lawn/Garden Plus Samples can be taken any time One person’s trash is another’s treasure! during the warmer months, $50 per sample for members when soil temperatures are at Includes the Lawn & Garden Its’s Spring time ... and that All proceeds raised by this $14,000 in scholarships for col - least 55 degrees. If the soil is test plus nutrients, iron, zinc, means time for spring cleaning. raffle and silent auction go lege students pursuing careers too wet to spade, rototill or hoe, manganese, copper, sulfur and While you are cleaning out your toward KCFB Foundation’s in agriculture. it is generally too wet to take a boron. This test also includes house, barn or shed, keep in effort to increase local scholar - If you are interested in pro - sample. On the other hand, recommendations. mind that “one person’s trash is ships and Ag-in-the-Classroom viding support for this year’s extremely dry soil should not be another man’s treasure.” Instead activities. By donating an item bucket raffle and silent auction, sampled either. of tossing out that old antique or to businesses and individuals or you know of a business or How often should I test? Ideally, collector’s item consider donat - can receive FOOD > Forward individual that might have an soil should be tested every 3-5 ing to the KCFB FOUNDA - yard signs and/or window clings interest donating, please contact years, more frequently with TION Raffle and Auction at the to show the community their the KCFB office at (630) 584- intensive use. Try to sample dur - Kane County Fair! Items often support of local agricultural 8660 or feel free to stop by our ing the same season each time consist of antique pieces, craft education efforts. For 2017, the office with your item(s)! items, framed artwork, and col - Foundation awarded over lectors’ items This Tractor Planter was donat - ed for the 2016 Silent Auction and Bucket Raffle at the Kane County Fair by Farm Bureau member Dave Klussendorf of Batavia. Generous donations of craft and specialty items catch the eyes of fair attendees and encourage foundation donations in the form of raffle tickets. Kane C ounty Farm mem Bureau bers recei 10% d ve iscount on ser all vice work.

“Helping to keep America Picked up for 45 years”

Zimmerman Recycling, Inc. 301 Industrial Drive, DeKalb (815) 756.8600 MAY 2017 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 7 cue teams, they all agreed on one thing ... it is much harder to walk Farm Toys at Farm Bureau on corn than it looks. Broken Bones With planting season looming, Kane County Farm Bureau has expanded its inventory and Farm Safety now is as good of a time as any to of farm toys! We now have a selection of TOMY & ERTL remind everyone to stay safe. vehicle toys and plastic farm animals. Choose from By Kristi Van Oost Share the road with farmers, use good farm safety practices, and tractors, fire engines, trucks, tanks & more! maybe stay away from spooked Proceeds benefit KCFB Foundation scholarships. hen I was in elementary seen in this display are used by horses. Wschool, it seemed like fire and rescue professionals there was a different kid in some when someone needs to be res - type of cast every other month. cued from a filled grain bin. Winner’s Choice Tractor Raffle winners Now, being the kid with a cast on Did you know it takes only On April 9 at Touch-A-Tractor, the winners were drawn in the KCFB Foundation Winner’s Choice seemed to have a lot of benefits five seconds to become Tractor Raffle. Volunteers sold over 1000 tickets, raising over $8,000 for this year’s raffle, which is the in my younger mind, as it meant entrapped in the suction of flow - Foundation’s biggest fundraiser. Proceeds from the raffle helped the Foundation award 14 scholarships, everyone in the class would ask ing grain, which behaves like over $14,000, to local students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields. Thank you to all who sold to sign your cast, offer to help quicksand? Corn in a grain bin and purchased tickets and congratulations to the following winners: you carry your things, and sit out also has the ability to bridge, Grand Prize: Ken Gustafson at recess to talk to you. which is when grain clumps Choice of: A 1953 Farmall Super C, a John Deere X350 riding lawn mower or $2,500 cash Basically, it was instant popular - together and can develop a crust ity. Much to my parents’ joy, I on the top surface. This crust 2nd prize: Carol Kenyon – $500 in groceries never broke a bone or needed a appears solid, but it is unstable 3rd prize: Erin Manheim – $500 in fuel cast when I was growing up, so I and may hide open voids below 4th prize: Elizabeth Turk – $250 in Kane County Farm Bureau bucks never got to be “that one kid with that develop as grain is removed. The winner in the FREE Pedal Tractor Drawing is 2-year-old Zion Creutz of Elgin! a cast” in school. In fact, I had Bridged grain can collapse under never had a broken bone a person’s weight, resulting in before...until now. the victim being buried by What’s new in the COUNTRY agencies? It happened about a month falling and shifting grain. ago while working with my horse Specially designed rescue St. Charles Agency, Bob Effner, products and services: Auto, Representative with the Aurora Avalon. Long story short, I ended tubes are carefully placed Agency Manager Farm, Home, Life/Disability/ Agency, is our Financial up getting kicked by Avalon in around a victim and the corn or BOBBI BOSTON has been Health/Annuities/Long Term Representative of the Month for my left arm, resulting in a broken grain is removed from the inside named the Financial Represen - Care, Retirement Planning, March, 2017. Zach began his ulna bone. Neither I nor my horse of the tube, eventually freeing tative of the Month for March Business and Invest ments. Let career with COUNTRY Financial was really to blame, it was more the victim. While the concept 2017 in the St. Charles/Elgin Bobbi’s expertise help you! Her in May of 2007 and services of a “wrong place, wrong time” sounds simple, the entire process Agency, as announced by Agency contact information is: 2N710 clients out of his office located at: situation. As a result, I have been can take over an hour depending Manager, Robert J. Effner, Sr., Randall Rd., St. Charles, 60174; 1920 Wilson Street, Batavia, living with a large maroon col - on how trapped the victim is. CL F®, LUTCF. Bobbi has pro - 630-485-5155; bobbi.boston@ 60510; 630-406-6900. Zach’s ored cast that goes past my Rescues also require a great deal vided tangible plans for address - countryfinancial.com. professionalism and vast knowl - elbow, which is a surprisingly of training to avoid ending up ing the immediate and long term Congratulations, Bobbi! edge of auto, home, life, commer - frustrating thing to live with. with another person stuck. In insurance and financial security Aurora Agency, Kevin Gomes, cial and financial products make It is no secret that farming fact, many fire departments work needs of his clients through Agency Manager him a great person to do business can be a dangerous job, espe - with local farmers to set up days COUNTRY Financial’s diverse Zach Fox, Financial with. Congrat ulations, Zach! cially considering all the for this type of rescue training. machinery, livestock, and cli - Recently, eight local Fire mate farmers are exposed to Departments participated in a Kane County FFA members attend every day. Actually, farm related grain bin rescue training event at accidents like mine are not a Kane County farm in Elburn. IFB & Affiliates Youth Conference uncommon at all. However, The two-day training session Three-hundred FFA members Lexi Head and Elena Chapa. representatives from community there are several safety meas - gave fire rescue teams the oppor - from 78 Illinois counties attend - “Maximize,” the theme of this colleges, universities, agriculture ures farmers take to help prevent tunity to practice rescues in a ed the 2017 Illinois Farm year’s conference, offered FFA commodity groups, and the accidents from happening. real-life grain bin filled with corn, Burea u® & Affiliates Youth members in their junior year of Illinois Farm Bureau and its fam - Recently we had our annual which makes the practices them - Conference, April 10-11 at the high school a unique opportunity ily of companies at an Touch-A-Tractor event. This selves seem more realistic. Some Embassy Suites, East Peoria. for career and personal develop - Opportunity Fair. The conference year’s event featured many members of our Young Farmers Kane County was represented by ment. This year’s attendees got also provided a series of breakout long-time favorite activities, Committee including myself Burlington Central FFA students the opportunity to network with sessions that focused on personal along with plenty if new addi - watched the demonstration and growth, team building, advocacy, tions, including a scaled down cooked lunch for the participants and leadership development. model of a grain bin with a res - after the exercise. After speaking Participants also brought 598 cue tube. Tubes like the one with various members of the res - non-perishable food items to the Estimates – Jim Verhaeghe Sr. conference, which were donated CLASSIFIED ADS Call: 847 334 5730 to Midwest Food Bank as part of I will relocate Honey Bee Swarms the Illinois Farm Bureau Young CLASSIFIED AD RATES to my orchard for free. I am also Leaders’ Harvest for All program. interested in relocating nuisance The annual two-day confer - Classified advertising rates: 20 cents Honey Bees that have moved per word/$20 minimum (60 words or ence is sponsored by Illinois into your walls or buildings. Help less). DISCOUNTS for members: Farm Bureau and its affiliated protect these pollinators who are Associate members, 20%; Voting companies, which include members, 30%; PLUS members, so important for all our crops. Call or Text: 847 274 7773 Two Kane County FFA members attended the IFB & Affiliates Youth GROWMARK, COUNTRY 40%. Advance payment requested. Financial, Prairie Farms Dairy Ads due by the 15th of every month WANTED Conference in East Peoria in April. They got the opportunity to network with representatives from colleges, universities, agriculture groups, and and the IAA Credit Union. for the next issue. No advertising Want to buy vintage & used tools (classified or display) for financial or Call Chris – Also, we do attend a series of breakout sessions that focused on personal growth, insurance services will be accepted. cleanouts. Call: 630 550 7182 team building, advocacy, and leadership development. Pictured (left to Call 630-584-8660. ENTRY LEVEL CUSTOMER right) are: Illinois State FFA President J.C. Campbell, Elena Chapa of FREE SERVICE POSITION, 30-35 Maple Park and Lexi Head of Elgin. Free barn cat mousers: Fixed HOURS WEEKLY. MUST BE A and vaccinated felines to patrol SELF-STARTER & TEAM PLAY - your barn yards! The organic way ER. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE Recruiter of the Month to mouse control. respond: jspri - COMPUTER LITERATE WITH Each month we honor the support of the Kane County [email protected] RE: Farm Bureau PLEASANT PHONE VOICE & person who signs the most Farm Bureau and congratula - MANNER. SOME OVERNIGHT SERVICES members into our organization. tions on your success! TRAVEL REQUIRED. OFFICE IS Jim Verhaeghe & Sons, Inc. – LOCATED IN ST.CHARLES, This month, the honor goes to Tree removal, tree trimming, & EAST SIDE. CALL BOB TO DIS - Felipe Rocha ! Felipe has been a stump grinding. Backhoe work & CUSS – 630 377 5807 COUNTRY Financial Rep- Tile Lines. Fully insured – Free resentative since August of 2011. His office is located at For our recent Touch-A-Tractor Railroad ‘Bungalows’ for sale 541 N. Lake Street, Aurora. As a event, a scaled down model of a token of our appreciation, Felipe grain bin with a rescue tube was Many sizes receives two tickets to made by GSI and AGCO and on from Charlestowne Movie Theater. display. Rescue tubes (the red Thank you for your continued Felipe Rocha tube in the center of the grain bin) 5’x5’ to like this one are used to rescue victims trapped in grain bins. 10’x12’. FB News Brief Check out next month’s Farmer to Steel and ILLINOIS NO. 2 IN AG-MANUFACTURING JOBS – Illinois’ learn more about how this display business climate certainly faces its share of challenges. But with bin is helping local fire depart - Concrete. equipment makers such as Moline-based John Deere and Caterpillar ments learn more about grain bin in Peoria/Chicago, the state powered its way to the No. 2 spot in the safety. Be sure to visit the Kane Call (630) nation when it comes to ag equipment-manufacturing jobs. The County Farm Bureau barn at the 293-5444 industry supports 321,000 jobs, and Illinois is home to 9 percent of Kane County Fair to see this those, second only to Texas’ 16 percent. ( FarmWeekNow.com ) model up close! PAGE 8 KANE COUNTY FARMER MAY 2017 Thank you... Touch-A-Tractor brings farm life to suburbs any volunteers contribute Mto the success of Touch- undreds of families and A-Tractor. The bringing togeth - Hdozens of faithful volun - er of families, the smiles on the teers enjoyed a day on the faces of the kids...and the farm - lawn at the Kane County ers, who are rightly proud of Farm Bureau during the 12th their profession, made it all Annual Touch-A-Tractor in worthwhile! Kane County Farm April. Sunny skies and won - Bureau and our Foundation derful temperatures made offer thanks to the following Touch-A-Tractor the perfect individuals for making equip - way for families to welcome ment available, for demonstra - tions, help with set-up and spring and learn about agri - staffing during the event and culture and how farmers otherwise assisting in the suc - provide food for a growing cess of this farm-city relations population. and Foundation fund-raising Machinery on display program. We apologize to any - included small antique one we inadvertently omitted. tractors, large modern Without your help, Touch-A- equipment, a 36 row planter, Tractor would not be possible. a combine and quad-trac Gladys Arnold tractor. Visitors of all ages Johnny Biddle enjoyed seeing baby chicks, Craig Bradley a baby goat, lamb, and a Frank Carlson Bill Collins calf. Other attractions ——— — 201 7———— Chris Collins included carnival style Jerry Gaitsch games, a pedal tractor track, Beth Gehrke a picture station, a “culvert Carolyn Gehrke crawl,” a percussion string, Wayne Gehrke movies, and a toy tractor Bob Gehrke corral. Top left: One of the newest additions to this year’s Lisa Geisler Touch-A-Tractor event was a percussion string. Thanks Chris Gould Touch-A-Tractor visitors Louise Johnson helped raise college scholar - to donations from our members, children got to try their hand at making music with various types of old Glenn Johnson ship funds for the KCFB Mike Kenyon household items, including frying pans, baking sheets, Sara Lenkaitis Foundation through the and wooden meat tenderizers. Winner’s Choice Tractor Nan Long Top right: Our friends at AGCO Parts in Batavia brought Raffle. This year, the Megan Mingl along lots of fun carnival style games to Touch-A- Jim Nass Foundation awarded 14 stu - Tractor this year. Among them was a ring toss game for Cecelia Nass dents with scholarships to children. Kids had a blast tossing brightly colored rings Dale Pitstick assist them in pursuing onto wooden pegs to win a prize. Jim Reynolds Wayne Schneider careers in agriculture. Many Bottom left: Kaneland FFA members Jackson Joe White of the Foundation’s 2017 Kettlekamp and Kayla Baldridge enjoyed informing fami - Bonnie White scholarship recipients and lies about the Winner’s Choice raffle and helping children their families were on hand enter into the free pedal tractor raffle. Jackson, currently a senior at Kaneland High School, is a recipient of a AGCO Parts Employees, Batavia to volunteer and to recog - 2017 Foundation Scholarship and was thrilled to be able to assist at this year’s event. Andrea Achermann nize the accomplishments of Bottom right: One of the family favorite activities at Touch-A-Tractor is learning about baby chicks. Ag Literacy Franky Achermann these future Ag industry Coordinator Suzi Myers held the chicks for the children and spoke with families about the different stages eggs Kevin Bolander leaders. go through while hatching. Eva Bright Laurie Cantu Reuven Chavira Connie Ferrer Kane County Food Hub project status report Will Huber Kane County’s “Growing for ant, New Venture Advisors. was not intended to be a com - Operator RFP sought farmers Jennifer Kresl Kane”program (Ordinance No. In 2016 Kane County com - prehensive listing of commer - seeking to diversify or oversee a Belinda Meyer Jessica Pall 13-240) is the implementation pleted the feasibility study cial spaces and operator candi - new line of business, current or Neal Rogers mechanism for recommenda - which assessed market condi - dates could consider other facil - aspiring entrepreneurs, non-for- Carol Scott tions in the Growing for Kane tions, identified strategies to ities that would best suit their profits with an aligned missions Brian Siorek Health Impact Assessment improve healthy food access and needs and vision for a food hub and desire to pursue an earned Bill Smith (HIA), a survey and study con - evaluated a hub’s overall finan - enterprise in Kane County. income strategy, food distribu - Jelena Tabakovic ducted in 2012-13. The HIA cial viability. Beginning in 2017 Respondents to the Site tion businesses with a new com - Von Thomas report provides guidance, rec - the Project Team began working Search RFI were asked to con - mitment to local – to name just Tammy Whiteside ommended policy and actions to identify a qualified operator sider a set of criteria typically a few. The application deadline Cindy Woodward for increasing the supply of to manage the food hub. The required of the size and scale has now passed and the finalists AAIC (American Agricultural locally grown healthy foods. selected operator will also work food hub detailed in the will be named and interviewed Insurance Company), These recommendations will with the Project Team’s consult - Project’s Feasibility Study. soon, with a target date of sum - Schaumburg benefit local farms and farmers, ant to prepare a customized and Those criteria included but were mer 2017 for operator selection. Colleen Balek support healthy food options comprehensive business plan at not limited to: Operations Kristen Gebel and lead to an overall improve - no cost to the operator. • Building size: Buildings of The County of Kane will Mike Pappas ment in public health. The Food Hub Project Team between 4,000 and 12,000 have no long-term, formal role Jan Rose One of the recommended has undertaken the actions square feet with a ceiling in the development, funding and Martin Surovy actions to emerge from the HIA below to ensure the selection of height of 25’+. operations of a food hub. The Doug Walls report was for Kane County to a qualified operator and to pro - • Basic operation: Space uses County’s role in overseeing the Burlington Central FFA work with community partners vide the necessary resources would include cold storage, planning process will come to a Alexis Head to study the feasibility of locat - and information to enable the dry storage, office and pro - close as soon as an operator is McKayla Peters ing a food hub within the coun - future operator to be successful. cessing equipment. selected through the RFP. The Jenna Peters ty. Such an enterprise would Those near-term actions include • Docks and parking lot: 2-3 eventual operator will sign a Jerod Metz meet the needs of local growers conducting a Site Search loading docks w/ a 20’ bay. memorandum of understanding Krysie Swanson and food buyers, while also sup - Request for Information (RFI) Approximately 20 parking with the county affirming a set Elena Chapa Jake Thompson porting communities with limit - and an Operator Request for spaces and lot area to accom - of commitments outlined in the ed access to produce and other Proposals (RFP). modate the turning radii of a RFP for both parties. Kaneland FFA fresh foods. According to the Site Search Request for semi-truck. Additional background infor - Kyla Baldridge USDA, a food hub is a business Information (RFI) A link on the Food Hub web - mation on the Food Hub Project Jessica Bowgren Hannah Garbacz or organization that actively In February 2017, the site ( http://www.countyofkane. is available in reference docu - Jackson Kettelkamp manages the aggregation, distri - County compiled a list of build - org/FDER/Pages/foodHub.asp ) ments on the County of Kane’s Elburn Lions Club bution, and/or marketing of ings that might be suitable to contains a list of submitted “Growing for Kane” Food Hub source-identified agricultural house a food hub, currently facilities and a map of the site Project website. These include a For Providing Tractors... products primarily from local anticipated to be in operation locations. At this time the Food Hub Feasibility Study Eldon Gould Dan Heinrich and regional producers in order within the next few years. The Project Team is no longer Summary Report, the Growing Dan Kocher to satisfy wholesale, retail, and Food Hub Project Team made accepting site submissions in for Kane Health Impact Larry Koesche institutional demand. In 2015, the list available to potential response to the RFI. Assessment, the Growing for Lim Lickteig Operator Request for Proposals Kane County formed a Project operators to assist them in Kane Ordinance and the Food A.C. McCartney Implement Team to draft a Food Hub developing their proposals. This (RFP) Hub Economic Impact Bruce Nagel Feasibility Study, which includ - list was generated from respon - The County is also seeking Assessment. All can be found at Jim O’Connell ed key staff, community part - dent submittals to Kane to identify and select an owner http://www.countyofkane.org/ Randy Wilkening & Family ners, and lead project consult - County’s Site Search RFI. It /operator for the food hub. The FDER/Pages/foodHub.aspx.