Business and Agriculture

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of taking part in the Illinois Beef Association and Illinois Pork Producers Association Legislative Day in Springfield. It was an opportunity to talk to Illinois legislators about ag issues, animal production in particular, and the general state of Illinois. We did not just visit the legislators from our own district. It is always interesting to interact with the urban legislators. At noon, during lunch, we listened to Gov. Quinn’s address, and as we visited legislators, we asked what their thoughts were about what was said. It was interesting to hear and see the hand-wringing, but nobody seemed to want to offer any solutions. Of course not, it is an election year, and getting re-elected is more important t

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is petitioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its finding that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are an endangerment to public health and welfare (endangerment finding). The petition, filed recently by NCBA and other members of the Coalition for Responsible Regulation, is based upon information uncovered during the recent “climategate” scandal, which seriously calls into question the scientific validity behind EPA’s finding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the Senate to promptly pass a bill that that includes many important farm-related tax relief provisions that expired at the end of 2009.

SPRING VALLEY — The new owners of a Spring Valley business are striving to become the place for outdoorsmen to shop for all their fishing and hunting supplies.

When Illinois Valley Cellular implemented its “Charity Begins At Home” program, CEO Tom Walsh envisioned empowering the company’s customers in ventures to raise funds — and awareness — for the many charities in its service area. However, the latest fundraising effort went above and beyond his expectations.

PRINCETON — An informational seminar about marketing techniques will be held March 24. The meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau. After the meal, Scott Stoller of Michlig Ag, and Dan Aubry of Consolidated Grain and Barge will address the group. This seminar is designed as an extension of last summer’s Marketing 101 series. Everyone is welcome to attend. Deadline to register is Monday.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee is sponsoring a farm labor pool listing for Bureau County residents. The committee is compiling a list of people who are looking for agricultural related work. The list will then be available at the Farm Bureau Office in Princeton and will be accessible to anyone who needs farm help. To have your information on the listing, a form is available at the Farm Bureau Office or by calling (815) 875-6468 or e-mailing jillfrueh.bcfb@comcast.net. The deadline for the sign up for the spring farm labor pool is Friday.

Before video games, kids often worked on jigsaw puzzles. And the older the kids got, the more complicated the puzzles were — the pieces became more oddly shaped, with devious little in-and-out cuts to make things even more confusing, especially when the pieces got broken. There was always great satisfaction, however, upon finishing a particularly tricky puzzle.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual fish sale for stocking farm ponds this spring. Contact the BCSWCD for an order form with further details and pricing.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual tree and rain barrel sales this spring. A variety of conifers and hardwood trees are available for order. The district will also be offering an assortment of shrubs to assist with CRP plantings. Contact the BCSWCD for an order form which will have a detailed list of available trees, shrubs, garden plants, rain barrels and planting supplies. Any orders of 100-plus trees and/or shrubs will receive a 15 percent discount. The deadline to order trees and rain barrels is 4:30 p.m. Friday. Tree and rain barrel pickup will be 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 16, and 8 to 10 a.m. April 17 at Warnecke Woods Natural Area. Contact the BCSWCD at (815) 875-8732, ext. 3, fr

Agriculture is the most dangerous industry. Each year unnecessary deaths and injuries affect farmers and their families, farm employees, and rescuers. Emergency responders often lack knowledge of the nature of farm machinery, chemicals, and farm structures. For this reason the Bureau, Henry, and Stark County Farm Bureaus, along with the Kewanee Fire Department, will be sponsoring a S.A.F.E. course for fire, rescue and EMS providers in Bureau, Henry and Stark counties.

MATO GROSSO, Brazil — During a late-January visit to Brazil, Illinois Soybean Association board members met with APROSOJA, the soybean association in Mato Grosso, and discussed establishing a young leader exchange between the two organizations.

Farm Bureau members have made plans to head out for a day trip to Circa 21 on April 29.

SPRING VALLEY —The Illinois House and state Representative Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, unanimously approved House Bill 5018 which extends more affordable health care to laid-off workers in Illinois.

Country Financial Illinois District 3, based in Princeton, received the corporate designation of 2009 District of the Year at their annual recognition banquet Feb. 6. Present for the ceremonies were the District 3 support leadership team consisting of Doug Arends (from left), district director; Dick Vivian, financial field consultant; Bob White, marketing business consultant; and Di Dickinson, DOA.

PRINCETON — Festival 56 announced overall festival attendance held steady in 2009.