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

VOL. 81 NO. 8 AUGUST 2016 Educators discover importance of Agriculture By Susie Thompson waterways have on transporting and educated our group on the their lesson plans to incorporate on this session and hearing the On Tuesday morning, June goods around the country. The hydroponic process. The green - the agricultural knowledge and unique takeaways each educator 28th, 2016, ten instructors from group learned that barges take house is powered by solar ener - experiences they gained had was truly eye opening. a wide range of educational approximately 1 1/2 miles to gy, and uses rain water as their throughout the week. Sitting in (continued on page 3) institutes gathered together for a come to a complete halt, and it main source to hydrate the four day long seminar, known as takes the crew 2-3 hours to tomato plants in the greenhouse. Photos, top to bottom: Summer Ag Institute II (SAI II). unload the barge and send it Mighty Vine has begun to build Susie Thompson Summer Ag Institutes are back on the water, a very strate - a second 7.5 acre greenhouse, Mighty Vine in Rochelle supports the fight designed for educators who are gic and rigorous process. From identical to their current facility, for hunger at the Northern Illinois Food looking to expand their Morris the group travelled to the which will be completed this Bank. The teachers in KCFB’s SAI II get the curriculum to include one of our Northern Illinois Food Bank in fall. Mighty Vine takes great opportunity to tour both as part of the nation’s largest industries: agri - Geneva. Here our group attend - pride in exclusively stocking “Hungry Planet” curriculum, earning culture. The theme for 2016 ed a workshop where we learned their product in local grocery graduate credits or CPDU’s for their atten - SAI II was “Hungry Planet.” devastating facts about hunger stores. “The best food is grown dence. They even got the chance to see Participants gathered at the right here in Kane County. closest to home,” stated Mighty Vine donating some of their toma - Kane County Farm Bureau on According to the National Murphy. From Rochelle, the toes to the Tuesday to learn about the School Lunch Program, 69 Kane group headed towards Northern Illinois growing world population and County schools have 50% or Waterman, where the Monsanto Food Bank. decreasing resources available more children receiving free or Research Plant is located. Our to feed nine billion people by reduced priced meals – that’s group visited various parts of The Teachers in the year 2050. With diminishing 57% of total schools in our the operation, from the ento - SAI II take a closer means to produce enough food, county. More than 129,000 mology room (where various look at the corn agriculturalists have been work - meals were served to hungry insects are grown and studied) crop at the ing on innovative strategies to children and families at 30 to the greenhouses where crops Monsanto Re- generate more food using fewer unique sites around Kane are monitored and studied for search facility in resources. These teachers County during the 2015-2016 research. Finally, our van trav - Waterman. At the ranged from kindergarten and school year. As a group, we were elled to our last destination: research facility, college level, to librarians and able to discuss with the work - Feed My Starving Children in the scientists test high school counselors. While shop presenter our personal Aurora. FMSC is a non-profit the resistance of seeds to certain diseases in corn crops. there may have been a diverse experiences with NIFB pro - organization committed to feed - group of educators gathered grams and how their impact has ing malnourished children together, all ten had one thing in greatly contributed to feeding across the globe. In just two common: furthering their edu - our growing planet. hours, we helped package over cation in agriculture to share Thursday morning our group 110 boxes, which held almost with their students. loaded up to head to our first 4,000 meals! In just a couple Tuesday included presenta - site of the day: Mighty Vine. weeks, these meals will be tions from Illinois Ag in the Located in Rochelle, this hydro - delivered to famished children Classroom Education Specialist ponic tomato farm had over in Burkina Faso, a country Brad Banning, as well as from 100,000 plants in their 7.5 acre located in West Africa. our very own Suzi Myers. These greenhouse – that’s larger than To up an eventful week, thought provoking lessons pro - five football fields combined! all ten participants gathered vided participants with the basic Mighty Vine Vice-President together with KCFB AG background knowledge on Danny Murphy gave us a grand Literacy Coordinator Suzi world hunger, to prepare them tour of the enormous facility, Myers on Friday and presented for the next three days of travel and discovery. On Wednesday, we travelled to Dresden Lock and Dam, Opportunity for Farm Bureau travel located in Morris. We toured the Tournament of Roses Parade – Sunset Strip, Hollywood Walk the heart of central Europe Netherlands, Germany, France facility and learned the impact December 30-January 3, 2017 of Fame, the Farmers Market aboard the exclusively chartered and Switzerland, including 2 This FUN travel experience and much more. river ship the MV Emerald nights in Lucerne. Price varies DATES TO REMEMBER includes many highlights! The tour includes round Belle. per cabin selection. You will have the T trip airfare, round trip Enjoy a complete itinerary Please contact the Kane he airport transfers, with this 11 day trip! County Farm Bureau for more August chance to visit to the Northe float barns and see rn Illinois four nights accom - Destinations include: the information @ 630-584-8660. August 4 Far select floats as they m Bureau modations at the Board of Directors, 7:30pm s are being construct - present Double Tree Hotel August 6 ed. On Rose Parade 2 Torrance! The cost Pokémon Go craze brings Summer Nights at day, watch the fun trave is $2,299.00 per per - Brookfield Zoo parade with top cate - l son, based on double options! visitors to KCFB lawn August 5-6 gory grandstand seats on occupancy. By now we’re sure everyone cal creatures), and digitally bat - Young Farmers Kane- West Colorado, while enjoy - Romantic Rhine and Mosel in the world has heard in some tle with other “trainers.” The Champaign County Exchange ing a boxed lunch! Other high - River Cruise – departure date is way about the new Pokémon game itself is widely popular September 21, 2017 August 11-21 lights include a wonderful tour Go, which has with all age Illinois State Fair, Springfield of greater Los Angeles encom - There is no better way to gone viral to say groups, as you passing: Santa Monica, Bel- experience the Rhine and Mosel the least. The have probably August 16 Air/Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Rivers than by cruising through Ag Day & Young Farmers Quiz game, produced by noticed groups of Bowl at State Fair Nintendo, was children, teens, and August Featured Product released in the young adults, wan - Last day to order Peaches Pork Back Ribs United States on Screenshot dering around August 25 Wednesday, July from Tech Insider downtown areas, The special for August is Meaty Pork Back Ribs. These are Peach Pick Up, 2-6 6th. The smartphone game parks, museums, and other pub - meaty ribs and have been described as a “pork chop on a stick.” allows players to use their lic places with their eyes glued Each 5.5 pound box contains a 2.75 lb. slab and 2 slabs per package phone’s GPS to find and catch to their phones. of uncooked, unseasoned ribs. We are selling each delicious box Pokémon (monster-like mythi - (continued on page 3) $25.00 for members and $23.50 for PLUS members and $28.00 for non-members. Available for the month of August at the Kane County Farm Bureau, Randall Rd. and Oak Street in St. Charles. It’s Peach Order time! Order yours on page 8. PAGE 2 KANE COUNTY FARMER AUGUST 2016 KCFB Board Review July 7 Foundation scholarship recipi - heard reports from Kane County PR/Member ship Chair Bill June 21-24 in Arizona. The July meeting of the ent and member of the Young Board, Forest Preserve District, Collins announced the A Young Farmers update was Kane County Farm Bureau Farmers Committee. He is County Ag Committee and Committee’s August 6 promo - provided, including their Board of Directors was called to employed as a Grain Originator Zoning Board of Appeals. tion at the Brookfield Zoo’s upcoming meeting on July 18th, order at 7:30 pm. Michael Long for CHS Elburn. President Joe White reported “Summer Nights” and took the Agri-Quiz Bowl at the of Big Rock made a presenta - Directors deliv - on the pilot “direct- names of volunteers attending. Illinois State Fair, the County tion on his participation in the ered their monthly mail appeals” pro - He also reported on the Harvest exchange (Champaign) and AFA (Agriculture Future of reports and dis - gram of the KCFB for ALL promotion to benefit County Fair activities. America) program visit to cussed past activities Foundation, trial local food pantries. Steve Arnold gave a report on Bolivia, December 27-January including the Dairy memberships for Government Affairs Chair the County Fair to be held on 1. The trip was the capstone to Breakfast at Drendel KCFB Foundation Wayne Schneider discussed July 20-24 and circulated a sign- Michael’s four years of leader - Farm on June 18, the scholarship recipi - County Fair promotions, ideas up sheet for volunteers. Mike ship development training with Young Farmers par - ents to qualify them for replacement of the organiza - Kenyon gave the Treasurer’s AFA, and provided the opportu - ticipation at Summer for Collegiate Farm tions’ Harvest Picnic, Nutrient report, including distribution of nity to see agricultural practices Nights at Brookfield Bureau activities Loss Reduction Standards and a 5-year County Farm Bureau and challenges in the land Zoo June 18, ACTI - and a variety of pro - Best Management Practices financial study. Joe White gave locked South American country. VATOR Trustee posals for “fun & promotion and reminded direc - the President’s report, updating tors of the upcoming IFB Farm Michael spoke of the opportuni - Reports, and an Michael Long fundraising.” The the Board on his participation in Income and Innovations ty AFA gave him to travel to upcoming the CFB Board approved a the IFB Resolutions Committee. Bolivia, where farmers pay Board Development Program, proposal for acceptance of Conference. White will serve as Chair of the interest rates exceeding 22% August 23 at the Illinois Farm online membership application Joe White gave the Agricultural Production and and quinoa is a major cash crop. Bureau. and payment of new and renew - Foundation report. The Farmall National Issues subcommittee Michael is past KCFB In local issues, Directors al dues. Super Ai & Super C tractors, prize options from past tractor for 2016. raffles, are for sale. Finishing off The meeting concluded with 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients the Foundation report was a dis - the Manager’s Report, including cussion about purchasing a 50’s- distribution of updates for The Kane County 4-H received $250. One winner, educational scholarships; and 70’s vintage pick-up truck for COUNTRY Financial represen - Foundation recently selected its Emma Rutherford of St. Charles, general 4-H and University of the 2017 raffle. tatives, a Calendar of Events, scholarship recipients for 2016, was selected for the $500 Bob Illinois Extension office support. A written report for June and information on FB member awarding a total of $4,000 to six Konen Memorial Scholarship. AITC activities was distributed, travel opportunities including a Kane County 4-H youth. Monies for these scholarships are including information on Tournament of Roses Parade Scholarship recipients were made available through fundrais - Summer Ag Institute (SAI) II (Dec 30-Jan 3) and a Sept. 2017 selected on the basis of 4-H ing efforts and private donations Agri-Quiz evaluations, the SPROUTS pro - Rhine & Mosel River Cruise Youth Development program to the Kane County 4-H gram, and a review of the (Netherlands, Germany, France involvement, 4-H achievements, Foundation. The Bob Konen bowl to be National AITC Conference held & Switzerland). community service, school Memorial Scholarship was first involvement and future plans. available in 2010 and is made held at IL High school seniors, and post- possible through memorial dona - KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU BOARD ATTENDANCE high school students enrolled tions from family and friends. OCTOBER 2015 THRU SEPTEMBER 2016 full-time in an educational pro - Mr. Konen was a 50 year sup - State Fair OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JLY AUG . SEP. gram, were encouraged to apply. porter serving as a member, club The 2016 Illinois Farm C. BRADLEY X X X X X X X X X X This year, 6 individuals were leader, and a volunteer. Bureau Young Leaders Agri- F. CARLSON X X X X X X X scholarship recipients. Bram Donations and monies raised Quiz Bowl will take place B. COLLINS X X X X X X X X X X C. COLLINS X X X X X X X X X Borger-Johnson of Batavia by the Kane County 4-H Tuesday, August 16th at the J. ENGEL X X X X X X X X X received $1,000; Chloe Foundation support many coun - Illinois State Fair. The Agri- G. GAITSCH X X X X X X X X X Daufenbach of Elgin received tywide events and activities Quiz Bowl is for IFB members, B. GEHRKE X X X X X X X X X X $1,000; Jaide Panek of Batavia including volunteer support, ages 18 to 35. W. KECK X X X X X X X X X received $750; Claude Lenz of training, and recognition; gov - The contest tests the knowl - M. KENYON X X X X X X X X X X Maple Park received $500; and ernment day; fair activities and edge of young farmers in sub - K. KETTLEKAMP X X X X X X X X X Susie Thompson of Maple Park fair awards; clean barn awards; ject areas like agriculture and D. LEHRER X X X X X X X X X Farm Bureau, while encourag - N. LONG X X X X X X X X X D. PITSTICK X X X X X X X X ing teamwork and involvement W. SCHNEIDER X X X X X X X X X X by these future leaders. The J. WHITE X X X X X X X X X X Resolutions Committee questions are multiple choices. The team that is first to the focuses on keeping buzzer gets to give their answer, Kane County Farmer and hopefully it’s correct! KANE COUNTY FARM BUREAU policy relevant Kane County will be repre - PUBLISHED MONTHLY sented by two teams made up of Steven J. Arnold, Editor Illinois Farm Bureau policy and reorganize the policy book. members of our Young Farmers Suzi Myers, Ag Literacy Coordinator received attention last week Delegates will debate group. For more information on when the Resolutions approved resolutions during Audre Pack, Training Specialist the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Elizabeth Polovin, Member Services Coordinator Committee spent a December’s IFB Leaders program, contact the day and a half dis - annual meeting in Kristi Van Oost, Development & Program Coordinator Kane County Farm Bureau office. Carolyn Gehrke, Interim Communications Consultant cussing policy pro - Chicago. Valerie Johnson, Administrative & Program Assistant posals and review - Joe White, OFFICE: Randall Rd. between Routes 64 & 38 ing recommenda - President of the Address: 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles tions from the Policy Kane County Farm PHONE: 630-584-8660 Review Committee Bureau Board and [email protected] www.kanecfb.com (PRC). chairman of the OFFICE HOURS: 8:30-5:00 Monday though Friday The Committee Agricultural Policy (USPS No. 289700) discussed topics and National Issues You receive the Kane County POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kane County Farmer ranging from gun Subcommittee, says Farmer because you are a Farm 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174 Bureau member. If you are a farm Periodical Postage • Paid to St. Charles, IL 60174 laws and 911 fees to Joe White “The policy process dairy marketing and is vital because it operator or owner, you benefit Year Subscription: $2.00 government farm policies. sets the direction the organiza - from a local, state and national organization committed to agri - ■ DISTRICT 1 Joe White Mike Kenyon In all, the committee tion is going to take year to year Aurora, Sugar Grove, President Secretar y/Treasurer reviewed 39 proposed changes and into the future. It’s updated culture and your way of life. Big Rock Twnshp. 47W727 Main St. Rd. 1250 E. Main St. submitted by county Farm every year, so it remains cur - If you do not have direct ties Nan Long Elburn, IL 60119 South Elgin, IL 60177 Bureaus and the PRC, which rent. It’s a pretty thorough to farming, your membership 11461 E. County Line Rd. 630-557-2517 847-741-1818 recommends ways to streamline process.” helps promote local farms and Big Rock, IL 60511 ■ DISTRICT 3 Craig Bradley farming, encourages wise use of 815-693-7214 Virgil, Campton, 37W791 Orchard Lane St. Charles Twnshp. Elgin, IL 60124 our limited natural resources and Donna Lehrer CONNECT WITH US 7S027 Jericho Rd. Frank Carlson 847-888-2380 preserves farmland and our agri - Big Rock, IL 60511 104 Sumac Court ■ DISTRICT 5 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! of one of Illinois’ premier mem - Sugar Grove, IL 60554 1143 Anderson 516 Sawgrass Ln. 630-466-4668 Elburn, IL 60119 Hampshire, IL 60140 bership organizations. By appointment only ■ 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 630-484-6852 Burlington, Plato Vice President Selling individual cuts. Buy as little or as much as you want. 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 847-428-0488 Mark & Linda Schramer, Owners Elburn, IL 60119 12N860 US Hwy. 20 630-365-2713 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 AUGUST 2016 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 3 Report conclusive on GMO safety question By John Block crops are safe for humans and increase in cancer, obesity, kid - Association reports that 70 per - label is clearly designed to infer Knox County Illinois Farmer animals to eat. The approach ney disease, autism, or allergies, cent of packaged food in the U.S. there is some risk. But there is John Block is a former secre - they took to make the case is according to the National contains GMO’s, as does 92 per - more. tary of USDA and Director of interesting. Academies of Science. cent of our corn, 94 percent of GE crops are less expensive Friends of the World Food The Committee compared This is an opportunity to take cotton, 94 percent of soybeans, to grow and give the consumer a Program. Reprinted from disease reports from the U.S. the offensive on this issue. and 99 percent of sugar beets. better bargain. They require less FarmWeek. and Canada with Western More than 50 percent of In spite of the science of labor, resist pests, and require Hopefully, we are beginning Europe and the United Americans think GE foods are a safety, GMO critics are able to less chemicals to hill the weeds. to set the record straight. We Kingdom. The difference is, in possible health hazard. Not true. successfully pass state legisla - Hopefully, this new research have heard so much misleading the U.S. and Canada, we have Unfortunately, I don’t expect tion to label GMO foods. can help to reassure the information criticizing biotech - been eating GE foods for more everyone to buy into this new Look at Vermont’s law. The doubters. nology that we could go down to than 20 years. But in Europe and research. You can expect the pro - the European road. In Europe, the U.K., genetically modified ducers and marketers of GMO- genetically engineered (GE) organisms (GMOs) are not on free products to continue to infer food is not on the plate. the table. that there just might be some risk. The National Academies of The review found no long- “We better not take a chance.” Science, Engineering, and term pattern of increases in We have already eaten our Medicine with more than 60 health problems in the U.S. and weight in GMO food, and we experts has released a landmark Canada. So, we are not poison - didn’t get sick. study, which confirms that GE ing ourselves. In fact, no The Grocery Manufacturers Take me out to the ball game: KCFB Foundation FUNdraisers The Kane County Farm Brothers will be handing out Tickets are $50, including trans - Bureau Foundation extends a free travel mugs to 1500 fans portation to and from the game. special invitation for you to that night too. Transportation is through Stevi Pondelick from Theis Farm Market is one of the many producers in enjoy a Cougars and/or Cubs The Kane County Farm Rockford Charter Coach. The Kane County who grows fruits and vegetables. Currently, she is selling game, all while supporting the Bureau Foundation is also sell - bus will be leaving from the her fresh produce at the Kane County Farm Bureau office on Mondays, future of farms and food! Kane County Farm Bureau Wednesdays and Fridays through September. 5% of all of her sales go to Join your fellow Farm office at 3:30. the KCFB Foundation, to support scholarships and ag literacy. Bureau members for a Kane All funds raised through County Cougars game at these fundraisers go to our Fifth Third Ballpark in Foundation, in support of Geneva on Wednesday, agricultural scholarships, August 17, as the Cougars Agriculture in the Classroom Local, Fresh, Bountiful – take on the Wisconsin activities, and Agricultural lit - Timber Rattlers. The game eracy programs. Call 630-584- Farmer’s Markets 2 ways to support There is still time to visit Farmer’s Markets starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are Scholarships and Ag Literacy 8660 to reserve your seats. being sold for a discounted Reservation are on a first come, and local roadside stands before summer price of $12. Wednesdays at the ing tickets to watch the Chicago first served basis and Cougars is over! Kane County growers have a ball park is half priced night, Cubs take on Cincinnati Reds on ticket reservations are required at variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as including regular-size sodas, September 20th at 7:05 pm at least one week in advance. well as other specialty products, to offer burgers, pizza, nachos, popcorn Wrigley Field. See Wrigley Advance payment required, you and your family. KCFB’s Bounty of and select souvenir items. Two from the bleachers, ivy and all! VISA and MasterCard accepted. Kane directory lists farmer’s markets throughout the county and features a quick reference map and contact information for 38 farms that sell direct to consumers. Thanks to our donor s... Visit www.bountyof kane.org to view the interactive map, access web links and contact information for each of the farms The KCFB FOUNDATION ing will follow in the fall. We through June 16, and not previ - and markets, and download a copy to print at home. Your offers its sincere appreciation to hope you can continue to give ously recognized. support of local farmers at farm stands and farmer’s markets is the following for their contribu - Our FOUNDATION is dedi - greatly appreciated. tions in response to our cated to providing agri - April scholarship culture based educa - Aurora Farmer’s Markets Sundays, May 8 - Sept. 25, fundraising appeal. tion for the next gener - 630-264-INFO (4636) 9am-1pm 224-293-7101 These donations will ation, and to meeting Downtown – Aurora Geneva French Market allow the Foundation to the challenge of pro - Transportation Center Metra Parking Lot NW corner of provide funding to Donor viding food for a hun - 233 N. Broadway (Route 25) South St. & 4th St. more students wishing to pursue gry planet. We look forward to Saturdays, June 11 - October 15, Sundays, April 17 - Nov. 13, Kathleen Elder 8am-Noon 9am-2pm 724-800-0102 higher education for careers in Ronald Hartman continuing support for these agriculture. As part of our scholarships, along with local Market West – West Aurora Geneva Farmers Market Scott & Michelle Horton Shopping Ctr. Exchange Street Parking Lot direct-mail fundraising pilot Beverley Jackson classrooms and teachers, leader - program, a second appeal for ship training, and community 1901 W. Galena Blvd. at Edgelawn Thursdays, June 9 - Oct. 20, resources to improve classroom generously. Names shown are youth education through grants Wednesdays, July 6-September 7:30am-1pm 847-501-0430 28, Noon-5pm education about food and farm - pledges received from May 16 to local FFA Chapters and 4-H. Community Winter Market Market East –Our Lady of Mercy 327 Hamilton Street Catholic Church plans to help shine light on the Farm Bureau and Foundation. Saturdays, Nov. 1-May 15, 701 E. Eola Rd. Educators value and importance of the Thompson, the immediate past 9am-1pm 847-501-0430 (continued from page 1) agriculture industry with their Illinois Association FFA Tuesdays, July 7 – August 25, students, which as a result, will Secretary, assists with ag literacy 10am-2:00pm Dundee Depot Market 319 N. River St., East Dundee Understanding not only the help provide the necessary and Foundation programs and Batavia Farmer’s Market Saturdays, May 7 - Oct. 29, stance on agriculture these indi - knowledge to our future leaders the Kane County Fair. She will N. River Street (between Wilson 8am-2pm 847-426-4307 viduals began the week with, but to help feed our growing world. return to Illinois State University & State Street) also the growth each of them ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Susie in the fall where she is pursuing Saturdays, June 4-Oct. 22, St. Charles Farmer’s Market had after SAI II. The ten educa - Thompson of Burlington is the a degree in Agricultural 8am-Noon 630-761-3528 Baker Memorial UMC, 4th Avenue tors’ shared different lesson 2016 intern for the Kane County Communications. & Route 64 (outdoor) Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Fridays, June 3 - Oct. 28, 200 North Grove Ave. 7am-1pm 630-584-6680 of their monsters. determined to make their team (Old Library Parking Lot) Pokémon A second well know land - the strongest and “catch them Thursdays, June 2 - Oct. 6, Sugar Grove Farmers Market (continued from page 1) mark, our chainsaw carved ear of all.” 9am-2pm 847-488-1456 Sugar Grove Village Hall, The Kane County Farm corn on the front lawn, is a 923 Spruce St. Bureau grounds seems to be a Pokémon Gym. A Gym is where East Dundee Farmer’s Market Saturdays, June 4 - Sept. 24, popular spot to wander and catch trainers go to battle their monsters 319 North River Street –The Depot 8am-12pm 630-466-1014 Pokémon. Staff were recently with other monsters, the ultimate informed it is the home of a goal being to defeat the other Pokémon Gym, and a Pokéstop. monster. The 15’ ear of corn was Our Centennial Grove chainsaw carved in 2012 from an ash tree carved maple tree sculpture was on the front lawn. The tree was selected as a landmark for the killed by the emerald ash borer game, known as a Pokéstop. A and transformed by world class Pokéstop is a place where train - chainsaw carver Mike Bihlmaier ers can go to receive free items of Marengo to commemorate to help them as they play. Items Kane County Farm Bureau’s cen - Nicole, Jack (left) and Dean (cen - include medicine to treat their tennial in 2012. ter) Woszczyna stopped by to tired monsters, pokéballs to KCFB Staff has enjoyed catch some Pokémon and collect catch more monsters, and other watching the “Pokémon Go’ers” some items from our Centennial things to help increase the skills come and go throughout the day, hand carved tree trunk Pokéstop. PAGE 4 KANE COUNTY FARMER AUGUST 2016 to the public, putting the A for tices throughout the United Foundation for allowing me the art in STEM, making it States both now and in the privilege of attending this edu - STEAM, and much more. The future. My thanks to the cational conference. coordinator from Livingston AG LITERACY CORNER County and I presented a session on the importance of trees in our By Suzi Myers world, as well as in agriculture. Book of the month Many of the ideas that I Summer is a great time to see humans couldn’t find the source learned during the breakout ses - many birds of prey soaring of the leak, so they added a he National Agriculture in varied agriculture in each zone. sions coincided with my through the sky. This book can chemical to the gas that made it Tthe Classroom Conference I learned that Arizona is Hungry Planet class that I help you understand the birds smell like rotting food. Soon, a was held in Litchfield, Arizona known for its 5 C’s: copper, cat - taught the week after this con - that you are seeing as well as group of Turkey Vultures gath - (a suburb of Phoenix) in June. tle, cotton, citrus and climate. ference, so the impact of my identify them. ered by the leak, expecting to This conference is a “meeting of My traveling workshop was learning was quickly utilized. Did you know that there are find a meal of rotting flesh. The the minds” from throughout the to three different American We had many great speakers: two basic groups of birds of leak was found. nation. The bounty of agricul - Indian Reservation farms. Each David Mouser from Illinois was prey? The two groups are hawks Thanks to a request years ago tural learning is overwhelming of these farms had a different a motivational speaker on and owls. Hawks are further by Bob Konen and Dean Dunn at times. Even though the con - way of management by the importance of education and divided into Buteos (short tails that Kane County Farm Bureau ference was held during record tribe; however, none of them affects on our students; the vari - and long wings), Accipiters start a library of agriculturally breaking temperatures, the were worked by the tribe. Their ous winners of the education in (“flap-flap-flap, glide” flight themed books for public use, we learning went on. (No, it is not actual management was either Ag award which provided great pattern), Eagles (largest hawks), have an ever growing selection true that “dry heat” is not hot – done by an overseeing manager ideas and inspiration; and the Falcons (swift and agile), Kites of titles. Feel free to come in to it felt like an oven outside, in or by various farmers who con - Bug Chicks, who made the (graceful and acrobatic in browse in our library and to fact, were cooked on the tracted individually with the audience get excited about bugs. flight), Ospreys (eats only fish, check out books of interest. sidewalk and cookies baked tribe. The crops grown ranged One of the unscheduled goes completely underwater to inside a parked car. 124 degrees from hay to cotton, pecans, and aspects of this conference is catch their prey), Secretary is just plain hot, dry or not.) oranges. Irrigation was used always the networking. Seeing Birds ( Runs afer prey and kills My pre-conference tour was daily, as these farms were in a the faces of old conference by stamping on prey with feet) to the South Rim of the Grand dessert area and the crops are friends, and making new and Vultures (Old World and Canyon. The beauty of this highly water dependent. I never acquaintances, is a highlight. New World types). national gem is breathtaking realized that cotton and citrus This informal way of learning The book highlights various from whatever vantage point. were such huge crops in about how others experience birds and tells detailed informa - The crowds were down, due to Arizona. and share agriculture in their tion of each in a simple to read heat warnings. As we traveled The breakout sessions I states, is such a positive. The text. It also has sections that tell from the hotel to the canyon, we attended were all so enlighten - ideas shown by various vendors of their senses for survival, beaks passed through different grow - ing. I learned about feeding our in the exhibition hall is always and talons, and family life. ing zones. We started in desert world in 2050, the transportation informative also. An interesting fact men - and ascended to the higher lev - of crops, new ways to incorpo - It was a very hot week, but tioned in the book was that els with trees and more green - rate agriculture into the class - full of learning and sharing Turkey Vultures were used to Birds of Prey –An Introduction ery. It was a very interesting day, room, pollinators, inexpensive knowledge of agricultural prac - find a leak in a gas pipeline. The by Robert Bateman not only in the canyon, but the ways to get agriculture message Master Gardener’s Idea Gardens By Suzi Myers Merrill, Sue, Paula and Leah It was a beautiful sunny day were growing tomato plants when I visited the Master from seeds a NASA experi - Gardener’s Idea Garden open ment., where the seeds were house. Everything was bloom - grown and then seeds saved ing and the gardeners were excited to share ideas and information. One garden that caught my eye right away was the bee garden grown by Carol. Since so much of our food depends upon pollination and there has been a loss in pollinators, this was a very topical garden. Not only were there colorful flowers to draw the pollinator’s attention, but semi-buried terra cotta pots were there to attract the ground liv - ing bees. Water was also available for the bees. Hanging up on a shep - herd’s hook was a polli - A Master Gardener’s Idea Garden plot nator house made from designed to attract bees. Notice the bits of bamboo tubing, upturned pots and water sources. which solitary pollinators use to nest. Carol was very from the plants for 5 genera - enthusiastic about her garden tions. They found that the plants and had lots of bee information. grown from the “earth seeds” Eileen had a great idea for were no different than those growing pumpkins in a small from the “space seeds.” area. A very strong ladder/pallet There were also some exam - like structure was set up for the ples of the “victory gardens” of pumpkins to grow upwards the war years in the U.S. Also upon, so as not to take up as some examples of “cutting gar - much land as usual. I was told dens,” plants grown to provide this is completely experimental, beauty when cut for your home. so time will tell how it actually There is also a nice prairie plot works. to give ideas for incorporating Sue and Linda created a fun prairie plants into your land - garden called “Around the scape. Also, some plants and World with Plants.” They based the garden on a blue tarp, look - plant-related materials are for ing like the oceans of the world sale. and cut out the areas to grow the The next open house of the plants. Australia had a idea gardens is going to be held boomerang inserted amongst the on August 16th from 9-11 at the plants; USA had an American corner of Peck Road and Route flag and so on. Each of the con - 38. I’m hoping to see some of tinents was shown with plants you there to join me in getting that come from that area. ideas for my garden. AUGUST 2016 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 5

Compiled by Suzi Myers AAIC & United Way spread Ag Literacy How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? is one of the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s most popular accu - rate ag books, and the AFB Foundation is thrilled that the United Way, North-Northwest has incorporated this book in their United Way Healthy Eating volunteer project. This project debuted in January and since its debut, more than 300 copies of Lunchbox have been donated to children in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Additionally, the United Way’s 2016 Celebration Luncheon launched a book drive that includes How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? American Agricultural Insurance Company (AAIC) is matching book-for-book up to 150 books with copies of How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Foundation is grateful for AAIC intro - ducing the United Way to this book and the importance of ag literacy. AAIC has gone even further with spreading ag literacy in the community by doing classroom visits. Eight volunteers from AAIC visited Gary M. Sanborn School to promote literacy and healthy eating to third grade students. The volunteers read How Did that Get in My Lunchbox? and led discussion and hands on activities to further the fun and learning. At the end of class each student was given a copy of the book to take home. SSad€ih‚sad€ih‚s cream cheese on the strawber - What you do: John Montagu, the 4th Earl of , Strawberry Grilled ries. Sandwich with remaining is credited with inventing the sandwich. Mix sugar with cinnamon. Toast slices of bread. Melt butter in a bread lightly. Spread with butter Legend says that he was unwilling to stop to eat pan and cook each side of the during a gambling event, so asked his servant to while hot. Sprinkle with cinna - 2 slices bread for 2 minutes. Serve mon sugar mixture. Slice banana put meat between two slices of bread so he could 2 oz. cream cheese with maple syrup, if desired. hold it in one hand while gambling with the other. and use one slice for the bear’s 4-6 strawberries, sliced From rotinrice.com nose. Place raisins for the eyes 1 tbsp butter and one for the black nose. Finish Maple syrup (optional) Bear Sandwich the bear with two banana slices Cut cream cheese into 8 slices. What a fun way to get your child for the ears. Serve and enjoy! Place 3 slices each on 2 pieces of to eat breakfast, so easy that From KIDSSOUP.com bread. Cover the cream cheese they can assemble themselves. • The most popular sandwich in America is the sandwich, fol - with sliced strawberries, and What you need: lowed by peanut butter and jelly. place the remaining slices of Bread, Banana, Raisins, Butter, • The peanut butter and jelly sandwich helped keep Americans fed Sugar, Cinnamon during the Great Depression. This is because the PB&J offered a lot of nutrition for a low cost. August is: • The average American will have eaten 1,500 PB&Js by the time they National Congratulations graduate high school. Water Quality Month Caeley Classen . Her name was • The term “sub” dates back to WWII. A U.S. Navy submarine base Peach Month chosen from the entries placed an order for 500 hero sandwiches from a nearby deli. After Family Fun Month received for correctly complet - that, whenever a customer ordered a hero sandwich, the deli Golf Month ing last month’s “Fruits and referred to the sandwich as a “sub.” This nickname then spread Picnic Month Vegetables” word search. For throughout the country. her participation, she received August 2 – Sandwich jokes • National Sandwich Day is November 3rd. a picnic bag and some veggie Day Q: If people like sandwiches, what • Sandwiches are the 2nd most common menu item in U.S. restau - tools compliments of Kane August 3 – Watermelon Day do lions like? A: Man-wiches. rants, after burgers. County Farm Bureau. Thank August 7 – Friendship Day you, Caeley, for reading the Q: What did the ghost eat for August 10 – S’mores Day Kane County Farmer and con - lunch? A: A booloney sandwich! Sandwiches Around the World August 17 – Thriftshop Day tinue to watch each month for a Q: What did one sandwich say to Even though it seems like the USA has an endless variety of sand - August 26 – Dog Day chance to win a prize! the other? A: Boy, you’re full of wiches, there are many other diverse sandwiches all around the August 31 – Trail Mix Day Bologna world. Have you ever had one of these? • Döner , Turkey – A döner bologna sausage, and is served LFWGFZYTVZHDGLPJYINLGI JTH is meat (beef, chicken, lamb, or hot on a semmel (Kaiser roll) DKPDBVMIXKMVETTJYKWBPSWNH veal) cooked on a spit, wrapped with sweet . ITTPBIFTYUMJZDSYOTORLOYKX in pita with onions, pickled • Katsu-sando , Japan – Breaded DHDULSMQCAYWSZWXFYZNTUXLU cucumber, cabbage, and toma - pork and cabbage on white

W CLHALQSTYMFMTALRJIAKOFYCK toes. bread. SJMNUTVOFGOSFNDQYUKGMI SD I • Vegemite sandwich , Australia • , England – Literally h

– This sandwich is toast spread a sandwich. Bread, a KVKGWJMWDLMAHUPRAHDTACUJM with vegemite, a brown paste fries, and ketchup. t OUH I HBVLYYQBOTXC I KRATBVCH

made from leftover brewers’ • , China – This m AHPWFLWQLFZTGKUFKCUQOOLPS yeast extract. Australians eat this sandwich is donkey meat on a LCAAREJLLDREJWVERAXPQRNAM sandwich with cheese for break - bun, and is usually served cold. a

k TY I XEYEGGDAGRI LLEDCHEESEU fast. This is the equivalent of a • , France – e GCPNKJYBESI LNCCAOBULCHVJS

PB&J in the USA. Grilled ham and cheese sand - s V I F I FERI TDJRATADBDFAHPOI T • , Mexico – An egg- wich, with Emmental or Gruyère. based bread topped with avoca - Some of the cheese is melted on a FMVMTHTTWSCSBSQDNBYQEBTPA

do, meat, white cheese, onions, top of the bread. s NYBMSAACFWAXUFGRUMTAEPBSR herbs, and salsa roja. • , Portugal – Bread, a LOKA I I BNHBYOCSJGBXNVSYNZD • Bánh mi , Vietnam – A baguette ham, linguiça, fresh chipolata n d XJCSHAPRIUDFRBAUEUI LEXUI T filled with mayonnaise, cilantro, sausage, and covered in w KGYARXMDEWPQZPF L TNEKC I HCC garlic, fish sauce, cucumber, melted cheese and beer sauce.

i MBEBBTDWCAXZXFOBSUBMAR I NE pickled carrots, and meat (pork, This was created by a French/ c PCLXROOVETDUGTUVZQTSTADWN fried tofu, ham). Belgian immigrant who was try - h

• , Venezuela – A maize- ing to create a Portuguese ? XT I PY I KREELWUTPHEECUTTELJ dough flatbread filled with chori - Croque Monsieur. JKRGYVERYHPRTEIGGEVZQSSUQ zo, plantains, beef, pulled pork, Adapted from NYPWWJSOTGKEXTWIVUFGVXULS cheese, and avocado. are thrillist.com VHBJKHWEIERMKCEERQZNWBXRR typically eaten as a breakfast VLNMDKGFYHGEF I YYV ISDPGOEC food. BACON CUBAN JELLY PEANUTBUTTER TOMATO • , Cuba – Roast CHEESE EGGSALAD KETCHUP PITABREAD TUNA pork, Swiss cheese, ham, pick - CHICKEN GRILLEDCHEESE LETTUCE ROASTBEEF TURKEY les, and mustard in a soft egg CLUB MAYO RYE VEGGIE roll, warmed on a press. CRUST HAM MUSTARD SUBMARINE Traditionally a late night food. • , – Name ______Churrasco-style steak on a round roll with tomatoes, Address ______peppers, and green beans. City______State ______Zip ______• Leberkäs Semmel , Germany & Austria – Return to: Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Road, St Charles, IL 60174 by August 15, 2016 Leberkäs is similar to to be entered in our drawing to win a prize of sandwich-themed items. PAGE 6 KANE COUNTY FARMER AUGUST 2016 New Harvest for ALL signs available Website source on Harvest for ALL has a new how to provide hunger relief in members, and consumers to look and can be seen on display Kane County. support hunger relief efforts. IL Cottage Foods Law on rural roads in Kane County. Harvest for ALL The University of Illinois tion and wellness educator. The signs are presented to rec - is a Kane County Extension has designed a web - The Website covers which ognize farmers who have donat - Farm Bureau site that provides information foods can and cannot be sold, ed a portion of their crops, cash, FOUNDATION about Illinois’ Cottage Foods requirements that must be met and in-kind contributions, and community serv - Law. “Illinois has a Cottage to start a business, and essential are directed to local food ice program, and Foods Law that enables small- food safety information. pantries of the donor’s choosing. provides an scale entrepreneurs to sell their “Now is the perfect time to The new signs were designed avenue to con - products made in their own begin thinking about what to so that they will not fade and tribute to local home kitchens, such as baked sell at your farmers’ market,” can be easier to read from the hunger relief goods, jams and jellies, or dried Smith said. side of the road. Farmers are efforts. It encour - herbs and teas, at their local For information, visit proud to display their signs to ages local farm - farmers’ market,” said Jenna web.extention.illinois.edu/ try and help spread the word on ers, Farm Bureau Smith, U of I Extension nutri - cottage. Reducing the RFS bad for environment SERVICES CLASSIFIED ADS Jim Verhaeghe & Sons, Inc. – Tree removal, tree trimming, & and economy, farmers tell EPA CLASSIFIED AD RATES stump grinding. Backhoe work & Tile Lines. Fully insured – Free Classified advertising rates: 20 The Environmental Pro- Energy. “This decision strikes a ward in reducing dependence on Estimates – Jim Verhaeghe Sr. cents per word/$20 minimum (60 tection Agency must protect the blow to conventional ethanol foreign oil and providing well- Call: 847 334 5730 Renewable Fuel Standard as production and dampens the paying jobs in rural America. words or less). DISCOUNTS for members: Associate members, Farm site demolition & clean up. Congress originally defined it prospects for the further devel - EPA’s proposal to reduce the 20%; Voting members, 30%; PLUS New horse barns with under - nearly a decade ago, Iowa opment of advanced biofuels.” RFS would hurt agriculture and members, 40%. Advance payment ground utilities and earthwork. farmer Randy Caviness told the Caviness is a firm believer in rural economies at a time when requested. Ads due by the 15th of Drainage tiles, pasture mowing, EPA at a public hearing today. clean energy, and his farm is farmers are already struggling every month for the next issue. No spraying, new seeding, inter He testified on behalf of Iowa proof of it. He has farmed for 28 with a down-turned economy. advertising (classified or display) seeding & fence installation. We Farm Bureau and the American years without energy-intensive “Our nation’s farmers can for financial or insurance services follow SIU Plant & Soil Science will be accepted. Call 630- Farm Bureau Federation. tilling and leads initiatives to grow more bushels of corn and Practices. 10% discount for Farm 584-8660. Bureau members, 5% if you men - “EPA’s decision not to follow install wind turbines in his soybeans on fewer acres to feed FOR SALE tion this add! Berning Earthwork the intent of Congress in the home county of Adair and and fuel the world,” Caviness Inc., Tom Berning 630-330-9970, 2007 RFS is highly disappoint - neighboring Cass County. said. “But if these reduced vol - Alfalfa grass hay – large 3x3x8 BerningEarthWorks@comcast. ing to all of agriculture,” said Caviness told EPA that umes are finalized, this decision and 3x4x8 bales – 1st, 2nd, and net; Galusha Farms, Steve Caviness, who also serves as a renewable fuels are an American will stall growth and progress in 3rd cuttings. Nutrient content Berning, 630-878-6350, steve@ available upon request. Call: GalushaFarm.com. Call: 630- member of AFBF Issue’s success story and critical to renewable fuels as well as the 847-436-2538 Advisory Committee on keeping our nation moving for - broader agricultural economy.” 330-9970 JD 32B 8 row pull-type 200 gallon Tree Pruning & Removal in sprayer $150; 4 section 24 foot North/Central Kane & Dupage wheel drag $125; MHarris No 32 Counties – www.ArborJoe.com – Farm, food & family briefs 2 Row Depth-o-matic cultivator ISA Certifed Arborist Joe. Call: $75; 2 Case trip plows – 2 row & 224 789 8773 Chicago Recycles Nutrients whole family this summer? against Telecommunications 3 row. Both $600; MHarris oak The Metropolitan Water Head to Summer Nights at Bill Effective floor hay wagon 8’x16’ $800; IH WANTED Reclamation District of Greater Brookfield Zoo just outside Farm Bureau members’ 140 Internal Hydraulics, tires, Will pick up for free unwanted or Chicago (MWRD) has opened Chicago from 4 to 9 pm Fridays opposition helped curb contro - snow plow, 100 gallon roller old snowmobiles. Weed mowing what it’s calling the world’s and Saturdays through Aug 13. $3900. Call: 630 988 5726 bobcat work deliveries of black versial telecommunications dirt / topsoil, sand, lime stone, largest nutrient recovery plant. Enjoy activities for all ages, right of way legislation, accord - 2010 JD 625F HydraFlex head, CM, fore/aft, dial-a-speed reel, gravel,or anything else you need In partnership with Ostara including live entertainment, a ing to Bill Bodine, associate hauled in or out sod and seeding Nutrient Recovery Technol- kids stage, food, beer, and wine full composite finger auger, stub - director of state legislation. ble lights, low stone dam, single call Jon @ J.P. Rippinger – 630- ogies, MWRD plans to recover gardens, and a laser light show SB 2237 would have allowed point hook-up, low acres, no rock 254-9446 phosphorus and nitrogen from at the end of the evening. Kane telecommunications companies damage. $21,000 OBO. Call: 630 Want to buy vintage & used tools wastewater, and create a high- County Farm Bureau represen - to install their cable in road 878 1726 Call Chris, 630 550 7182 value fertilizer. tatives will be at Summer rights-of-way without negotiat - Unverferth HT-30 head mover, The system can remove more Nights on August 6th running ing an easement with the low profile tires, lights, good con - the agricultural activities booth. Your Farm Bureau than 85 percent of phosphorous landowner in most cases. dition, $3500 OBO. Call: 630 878 and up to 15 percent of nitrogen Kane County partners with 1726 The bill failed to advance membership means from 1.44 billion of gallons of Brookfield Zoo through the when the House Public Utilities water daily before they release Illinois Farm Bureau as a way to Value Committee did not call it for a into streams and rivers. MWRD reach out to consumers. You’ll will receive revenue from every feel Farm Bureau’s presence vote. ton of fertilizer produced. during the eight-week event “Thanks to our members Illinois cities, suburbs and through Ag in the Classroom who responded to our call to farmers must reduce the amount activities, fun Illinois food facts action, especially because that of nitrogen and phosphorus and farm themes peek boards. came during planting season,” flowing into rivers and streams Zoo members attend for free, Bodine said. “We heard from as part of a state and national while non-members can attend several legislators and “adopt - effort to reduce a so-called dead by paying $15.95 for adults and ed’ legislators who received zone in the Gulf of Mexico $10.95 for children ages 3 to 11. calls from our members asking Those Summer Nights For more information, visit them to vote no. Those calls Looking for some where to www.ilfb.org/summer. were effective in minimizing spend a fun night with the Farm Bureau Members’ Call support for the legislation.” What’s new in the COUNTRY agencies? St. Charles Agency, Bob Effner, Aurora Agency, Kevin Gomes, services clients out of his office Agency Manager Agency Manager located at 514 N. Lake Street, PAIMA CHITAMBO has Felipe Rocha, Financial Aurora, 60506 – (630) 897-7746. been named the Financial Representative with the Aurora Felipe’s professionalism, Representative of the Month for Agency, is our Financial community involvement and vast May 2016 in the St. Charles/ Representative of the Month for knowledge of auto, home, life, Elgin Agency, as announced by June, 2016. Felipe began his commercial and financial prod - Agency Manager, Robert J. career with COUNTRY ucts make him a great person to Effner, Sr., CLF ®, LUTCF. Paima Financial in August of 2011 and do business with. has provided tangible plans for addressing the immediate and long term insurance and financial Recruiter of the Month security needs of her clients Each month we honor the Charlestowne Movie Theater. through COUNTRY Financial’s person who signs the most Thank you for your continued diverse products and services. members into our organization. support of Let Paima’s expertise help This month, the honor goes to the Kane “Helping to keep America Picked up for 45 years” you! Contact her at 2172 Felipe Rocha! Felipe has been a County Blackberry Dr., Unit 100, COUNTRY Financial Rep - Farm Zimmerman Recycling, Inc. Geneva 60134, 630-262-1128, resentative since August of Bureau and paima.chitambo@country 2011. His office is located at 541 congratula - 301 Industrial Drive, DeKalb financial, countryfinancial.com/ N. Lake Street, Aurora. As a tions on (815) 756.8600 paima.chitambo. token of our appreciation, Felipe your suc - Congrat ulations, Paima! receives two tickets to cess! Felipe Rocha AUGUST 2016 KANE COUNTY FARMER PAGE 7 Summer Ag Institute: Hungry Planet By Vida Martin ing rainwater, a vertical growing dren are currently food insecure. toward something they hadn’t Martin is a high school guid - How about those tomatoes? system, and utilizing bees for The Operations Depart ment at considered, and hope that one of ance counselor and a frequent I’ll get to them in a minute. I pollination. The proof of this the Food Bank has some amazing these talented young individuals attendee of KCFB programs to love food. I think most people pudding is in the tomatoes. Try people. The organization and will help us all take the step improve agricultural literacy love food. I also believe that one, you’ll be tasting sunshine. efficiency that goes into process - toward food for all. and expand resources for stu - most of us have said one or more It was all about corn at ing, tracking, and shipping as About the author: Vida dent career choices. of the following; “I’m hungry, I Monsanto. We got a different much food out as possible to haven’t eaten since breakfast. I look into corn production at the partners is incredible. When you forgot my , so I can’t wait Waterman facility. The research look at row upon row of shelves Say ‘I can’ to canning until lunch. I’m starving!” There in progress is integral to figuring filled with items and think about you have the starting point for out how to produce more food the volume that rotates through this year’s Summer Ag Institute. with fewer chemicals in a way the facility, it is mind-boggling. with U of I Extension We have a Hungry Rest assured that Discover the fun – and func - principles is the mission of U of Planet and we need to Northern Illinois Food tional – art of preserving the I Extension. figure out how to feed Bank is working locally season’s bounty of delicious, In the first Farmers Market the world. to help end hunger. local produce with University of session, Barr will explore the Every year Suzi As a school counselor Illinois Extension Educator important safety and process Myers puts together a for grades 9-12, I am Laura Barr this summer. steps for hot water bath canning, fantastic opportunity for motivated to bring as Barr will be demonstrat - teachers and school much career information ing various food preserva - counselors to learn more to my students as possi - tion techniques with fresh about Agriculture related ble. I want to broaden fruits and vegetables during The SAI II group at Mighty Vine in Rochelle businesses. This year their perspective, help a series of sessions at the was no exception. We had one that avoids creation of a mono - them find their passion, and real - Aurora Farmers Market. day in class that was chock full of culture through the fascinating ize that there is not a cookie cut - The monthly presentations information. The day helped set worlds of breeding, entomology, ter “right way” to achieve those will be from 10 to 11:30 the tone for our field trips. The and pathogens that will help goals. The truth is we need every a.m. on Saturdays Aug. 20 highlights of what we covered farmers increase efficiency and single person to make a differ - and Sept. 10. Each includes that really got me thinking about reduce on-farm costs. ence in our global future. So the a unique topic and a corre - yield, production, and supply I grew up close to the Erie challenge for me comes in the sponding Q-and-A session. were the discussion about the Canal in New York state. Water form of personalizing career sug - “Canning is a simple, Hungry Planet book by Peter transport of goods, all kinds of gestions and thinking outside the smart way to make the most Extension Educator Laura Barr will be Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio, a goods, is not surprising to me. box. I have to know my students, of the local produce avail - providing a series of food preservation video from WorldPopulation The surprise at Dresden Island ask about their interests, goals, able this time of year,” Barr techniques and demonstrations in the History.org, and a YouTube video Lock and Dam was learning that and dreams. THEN I can suggest said. “Food preservation is coming months. titled “How Many People Can civilian individuals can work for a career that will attract their on the comeback trail, with Earth Support?”, plus the remain - the Army Corps Engineers, that attention, give them a nudge more and more people wanting and will be demonstrating with a ing 20,000 or so words we were the Chicago River flows faster to buy locally grown food and ginger pear preserve recipe. exposed to through handouts. than the Mississippi River, and preserve their own food.” Other topics will include: Now, about those tomatoes. that one barge has the cargo There is a growing trend for black raspberry jam on Aug. 20 We visited Mighty Vine and capacity of 58 large semis. home-grown produce as well. and fresh salsa on Sept. 10. Monsanto to learn more about Northern Illinois Food Bank All of these empower the con - Look for the demonstrations food production in Illinois. gets food out to nearly 600,000 sumer to control recipes and use next to the market information Mighty Vine is a new company in people in their 13 county service less salt and sugar if needed, booth with the orange awning. Rochelle that uses Dutch technol - area through its amazing facility said Barr. Barr has been providing edu - ogy to grow tomatoes hydroponi - in Geneva and a network of part - “As folks engage in their gar - cation on food preservation for cally. A visit here can give a view ner food pantries and feeding dens, it is easy to save the boun - the last few years at the Aurora into a partial answer for increas - programs. I know people go hun - tiful harvest for later in the year Farmers Market, and each year, ing crop yield in an environmen - gry, but it’s heartbreaking to see and to share it with loved ones. the audience and interest grows. tally friendly way. Think harvest - the statistics for how many chil - As we serve our preserved food, Barr is available for group or Top: The group for the Summer Ag Institute II was made of 10 teachers it is important to have the latest club demonstrations in DuPage, from all around Kane County, and can be seen together here at Mighty scientific updates on the canning Kendall and Kane counties as Vine in Rochelle with guide Danny Murphy. process.” well. For more information, The focus on evidenced- contact Barr at llbarr@illinois. Right, top to bottom: Katherine Thompson, a kindergarten teacher at based practice and scientific edu or 630-584-6166. Wildrose Elementary School takes a closer look at a corn plant at the Monsanto Research facility in Waterman. Stacey Brolsma (left) from Wildrose Elementary School and Dan Henderson from Ottercreek Elementary School packing food at Feed My Independent map Starving Children in Aurora, as part of the SAI II. amendment progresses Illinois Farm Bureau is a Still, the effort faces a law - member of the Independent suit from opponents who want Map Amendment (IMA) coali - to keep the constitutional tion that submitted the final peti - amendment away from Illinois tion package to the State Board voters. The IMA coalition indi - of Elections before the May 9 cated last week it had recently deadline. The coalition submit - filed its court briefs. Erickson ted more than twice the required expects hearings this month. minimum of 290,216 petition signatures. 84 County Farms Bureaus and nearly 300 IFB Kane Co unty Farm members who circulated peti - mem Bureau bers recei tion sheets. 10% d ve iscount on The board officially indicat - ser all vice work. ed petitions the IMA coalition, which includes groups such as “We’ve got a very strong Common Cause Illinois, Illinois case,” said Erickson. “The Farm Bureau, Latino Policy amendment, as written, is very Forum and Union League of good constitutionally according Chicago, secured and submitted to attorneys that we use, and enough valid signatures to put the government attorneys. So we redistricting reform amendment feel confident.” on the ballot in November. If it makes it to voters and Altona farmer David achieves at least 60 percent sup - Erickson, who serves on the port in November, the constitu - IMA board of directors, said the tional amendment would allow amendment has far-reaching an 11-member, non-partisan support. commission to establish legisla - “The broad diversity that it tive maps instead of the Illinois has, the number of endorse - General Assembly. ments it has from all over the Erickson said IMA staff indi - state, I think it should make us cated at a recent board meeting feel very good that we’re part of of the group that county Farm something that has been so well Bureaus and League of Women received,” said Erickson, who Voters chapters around the state also serves as vice president of helped collect most of the peti - the Illinois Farm Bureau. tion signatures. PAGE 8 KANE COUNTY FARMER AUGUST 2016 Stock up on pecan halves and pecan pieces for baking 20 16 Bucket and get a great price on chocolate covered pecan treats! Special prices while supply lasts. Available at Take me out to the Raffle Kane County Farm Bureau in St. Charles M-F 8:30-5pm. PECANS HALVES, 12 OZ. BA G–$7 • PECAN PIECES, 12 OZ. BA G–$7 Fundraiser MILK CHOC. PECANS, 12 OZ. CAN OR BA G–$7 Ball Game for the KCFB KCFB Foundation FUNdraisers Foundation 2 ways to Support Scholarships and Agricultural Literacy Thank you to these local busi - nesses who donated prizes for bucket raffles at the 2016 Kane County Fair. Your support of the Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation’s college scholar - ship and agricultural literacy programs is greatly appreciated. Wrigley Field Winners will be notified via phone and will be listed in next Tuesday, September 20th • 7:00PM months Farmer ! See Wrigley from the Bleachers! Tickets are $50, ••••••••• including transportation to and from the game. Alexander’s Café – Elgin Transportation is through Rockford Charter Coach. Aliano’s Ristorante – Batavia The bus will leave from the Kane County Farm Bureau office Batavia Creamery at 3:30, returning after the game. Blain’s Farm & Fleet – Sycamore C & C Mulch – Geneva Cabela’s Cocoon – Geneva Colonial Café Costco – St. Charles Country Donuts– Elgin Country House Restaurant – Geneva Culver’s – Carpentersville Deer Valley Golf Club Designer’s Desk – Geneva Fifth Third Ballpark Eddie Gaedel Pub & Grill – Elburn Elgin Park District Wednesday, August 17th • 7:00PM Elgin Symphony Orchestra Tickets are being sold for a discount price of $12. Fast Frame – St. Charles Forest Preserve District of Kane County Wednesday at the ball park is half priced night on items Forge Brewhouse – Sycamore including regular-size sodas, burgers, pizza, nachos, popcorn FunWay Ultimate Entertainment Center – and select souvenir items. Two Brothers will be Batavia handing out free travel mugs to 1500 fans that night too. Geneva Commons Geneva Park District Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream – Geneva Home Depot – South Elgin Hughes Creek Golf Club – Elburn J & R Feeds – Hampshire Jewel Osco – Batavia Jimmy’s Charhouse – Elgin Johnsen’s Farm and Country Store – St. Charles JuRin Japanese Restaurant – South Elgin Just Kabobs – St Charles Kane County Cougars Kane County Farm Bureau KCFB Foundation Order Fresh Kane-Dupage Soil & Water Conservation District Klein’s Farm & Garden – Udina & Elgin Peaches Dave Klussendorf – Batavia Kountry Kettle – Elburn The Kane County Farm Bureau is now Kuiper’s Family Farm – Maple Park taking orders for juicy, homegrown Lowe’s Home Improvement – St. Charles Peaches fresh from Rendleman Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria – Elgin Medieval Times – Schaumburg Orchards, a southern Illinois grower. Meijer – St. Charles These delicious peaches are washed, hydrocooled, graded to U.S. Menards – Elgin #1 Extra, 21/2 inches and up in size, and packaged in a 25 pound wax Morton Arboretum – Lisle coated fancy box with a lid. They are delivered to our office on NAPA – Elburn Needle Things – Geneva Randall Road the morning of pickup in a refrigerated truck for fresh - Nick’s Pizza & Pub – Elgin ness and long lasting quality. Noodles & Company – Geneva Donations of $50 or more eligible for FOOD > Forward yard sign to recognize participation The grower recommends the peaches, which are available in the Oberweis Dairy & Ice Cream – St. month of August, for their sweetness and juicy flavor. The peaches Charles Ollie’s Frozen Custard – Sycamore are freestones (easily comes off the pit). If you like to make peach pie Pal Joey’s – Batavia or cobbler, or you like to can or freeze peaches, now is the time to Paisano’s Pizza & Grill – Elburn take advantage of this once a year offer. Penrose Brewing Company – Geneva Peaches are highly perishable. They are shipped when they are a Plank Road Tap Room – Elgin Plano Molding – Plano little green so that when they arrive they are not bruised with juice Preservation Bread & Wine – Geneva running out of the box. The grower recommends that the peaches be John & Bonnie Prokop – St. Charles refrigerated immediately when you get them unless you are planning Public House – Elgin to can or freeze them within the next day. Then when you want to use Randall 15 Theatre – Batavia Randall’s Pancake House – South Elgin them, you can take out however many you think you will use in the Ream’s Meat Market – Elburn next day, let them sit out in a paper sack overnight, and they should Rookies’ Sports Bar & Grill – St Charles be ripe and ready to eat or cook with. Peaches should not be out of Sammy’s Mexican Grill – Elgin the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. If they are left out too long, SciTech Hands On Museum – Aurora Sorrento’s Restaurant – Maple Park they are very susceptible to mold. Spirels Yogurt Delites – South Elgin The price for a 25 pound box is $32 (non-member) $30 (member) St. Charles Bowl and $29 (Plus member). PAYMENT IS DUE WITH ORDER. You can St. Charles Park District order by filling out the form and sending it in with your check, or call Starbucks –St. Charles Sugar Grove Family Fun Center the Farm Bureau at 630-584-8660 and pay with a Visa, MasterCard Target – Batavia or Discover. Pickup will be on Thursday, August 25 from 2-6 p.m. at The Bike Rack – St Charles the Farm Bureau office, west side of the building. The Corner Grind – Elburn The Shoppe Next Door – Hampshire Checks may be made payable to the local food pantry of your choice, Northern Illinois Quantity: The Spice House – Geneva Food Bank or KCFB Foundation-Harvest for ALL. Donations without a local food pantry ______boxes @ $30.00 Member; $29 Plus Member; Town House Café – St Charles designee will be donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Donations of $100 or more Tractor Supply – Carpentersville eligible for an 18x24” aluminum Harvest for ALL field sign. $32 Non-member (per 25 lb. box) Trader Joe’s – Batavia Amount Enclosed: $ ______Tranquility Spa – St Charles Trellis Farm & Garden – St Charle Name: ______Twisted Stitch – South Elgin USA Athletic Club – Aurora Telephone Number: ______Wasco Nursery – Wasco Whiskey Acres – DeKalb Member Number: ______••••••••• Mail to: Kane County Farm Bureau, THANK YOU Morgan Britnell & Collin Osborn, Tracy Sanderson, and Andy & 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174 or call 630-584-8660 Sarah Lenkaitis for providing animals, DEADLINE FOR ORDERING IS 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 16 hay and/or straw, and transportation for the Farm Animal Zoo. Pickup is at the Farm Bureau on Thursday, August 25 from 2-6 p.m.