Coffee and Conversation: Volunteers are at the heart of the farm bureau
Victoria Hansen
“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 honor the many volunteers who help make the 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.
Journal Standard
Illinois Farm Bureau, Feeding Illinois and the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute have begun a farm to food bank feasibility study.
During COVID-19, farmers witnessed the importance of the USDA Farms to Families Food Box Program, which purchased food products from farmers, worked with distributors to package the food into family-size boxes and transported the food to food banks for those in need. This program showed that food banks purchasing directly from farms helps increase food access and farm profitability.
We have a unique opportunity to identify and build a long-term market and infrastructure where Illinois farmers can grow and supply food directly for Illinois food banks. However, to build a viable system, we need to hear from our farmers, specifically: livestock, dairy, grain and specialty crop farmers.
Coffee and Conversation: It’s go time
Victoria Hansen
Special to The Journal-Standard
As you may know, my husband also works in agriculture. He is on the production side and works as an applicator/operator.
When the weather starts to warm, you start to feel that spring is in the air. A common phrase appears in our home and I am sure it does in other agriculture houses too. We often use the phrase “go time,” it comes in a few different forms “Is it go time, yet?” and “It’s go time.”
The busiest of seasons for agriculture are those in the spring for planting and the fall for harvesting. “Go time,” or planting season, comes with things to consider as during this time farmers and the agriculture industry will be moving equipment from fields at various times. There will be an increase of farm equipment on the roads. Please keep these seven safety points in mind while traveling on rural roadways.
it actually did stand. turned out it stood, yes. still ahead, democratic senator sharon brown, harold ford junior and republican congressman aaron shock will be with us. we ll get through the news as well. up next, extra inning drama in a fight for first place between the yankees and the rays. yankees blue a 6-0 lead. could they stage a comeback of their own? we ll be right back. that s a tease. what is that? a travel preview of what might soon be the small estuary line seat ever made. i was fascinated by those pictures. buckle up. every day, it s getting closer