Carroll/Stephenson Manager’s Message

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart”, Elizabeth Andrew. This past week was National Volunteer Week. I would like to take a moment to thank the many volunteers who help make Farm Bureau and our programing possible. We have a wide variety of individuals who dedicate their time and talents to our organizations; some serve on our boards and help guide the organizations, some serve as presenters for Ag in the Classroom Programs. Others host tours at their farms and businesses and the list goes on and on. It is hard to sum up exactly how much we appreciate those who give and make it a point to support our organization and its mission. So, I will sum it up simply by saying thank you to all of those who volunteer for the Farm Bureau; our organization would not be the same without you.

Travel Preview June 12 at 6:00p.m.: Everyone is invited to join the Carroll and Stephenson County Farm Bureaus and Tri State Travel for a preview meeting on Wednesday, June 12 at 6:00p.m. at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau. During these presentations a Tri State Representative will highlight the upcoming Magnolia Markets and More! This trip is scheduled for November 11 through November 17, 2024. Trip highlights include Pioneer Woman & Mercantile store, JDH Iron Design Center, Magnolia Market and Silos, and much more. If you have questions or are planning to attend this preview please call your county Farm Bureau, Carroll County 815-244-3001 or Stephenson 815-232-3186.

IDOA SCHEDULES CLEAN SWEEP COLLECTION IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS: Residents of 11 Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) agricultural pesticide “Clean Sweep” program. A “Clean Sweep” collection has been scheduled in late summer for Bureau, Carroll, Henry, JoDaviess, Lasalle, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago Counties, IDOA announced today. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property. “There are two main reasons to take advantage of this program,” said Brad Beaver, Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs. “The Department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, it could be expensive. Secondly, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected.”  Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by July 26. Registration is required to give the waste disposal contractor time to prepare for the different kinds of materials being collected. Forms can be obtained either by calling the IDOA Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934, online at agr.illinois.gov/pesticides/pesticide-clean-sweep-program.html or by visiting one of the program sponsors listed below. Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The mailing address is:  Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281. The fax number is (217) 524-4882. Participants then will be sent a reservation card indicating the date, time and location of their collection. 

Statement from Illinois Farm Bureau on Temporary Summer E-15 Sales:  The Biden Administration through the Environmental Protection Agency announced today a temporary waiver for summertime sales of E-15, a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, to address extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances. The following is a statement from Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan. “This announcement is a win-win for Illinois farmers who produce and deliver more than 657 million bushels of corn to the 13 ethanol plants in our state, producing 1.84 billion gallons of ethanol. We believe year-round sales of E-15 will yield a significant, measurable and noticeable economic and environmental benefit for rural, suburban and urban residents. “Additionally, increasing access and growing demand for biofuels such as E-15 is vital to enhancing our nation’s energy independence while offering a more affordable fuel option for consumers.” Duncan added that IFB is greatly appreciative of recent bipartisan efforts of Illinois lawmakers who sent letters requesting this waiver.