DeKalb-County-Ag-Mag-4-1-13

magagDeKalb County

Spring 2013

What’s Inside

Ag Education continues at local high

schools

Farm Family Values A way of life

Waiting for Water2012, warmest year on record

Local Ag Office keeps Ag Industry moving

Tax Issues on Legislative Agenda

Drought Impact

A Publication of

2 | DeKalb County AG MAG | Spring 2013

Spring 2013 | DeKalb County AG MAG | 3

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Published by Shaw Media Publisher: Don T. Bricker

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Articles and advertisements are property of Shaw Media. No portion of DeKalb County Ag Mag may be produced without written consent of the publisher.

magagDeKalb County

Table of Contents

4 | DeKalb County AG MAG | Summer 2012

6 Drought not disastrous to local balance sheets

9 Shaping Farm’s Future

10 Agricultural Education continues to grow at DeKalb High School

11 The Suter Company rises from humble beginning

12 Waiting for water

14 Farm family values

15 Sycamore High School & Kishwaukee Education Consortium

16 Profit Projected Positive signs likely to continue

19 Ask any steam engineer

20 Illinois Department of Ag: Localofficekeepsstate’sagindustrymoving

24 Illinois Farm Families

27 Free app promotes careers in agriculture

28 IODA and AG Industry partner to provide web-based anhydrous ammonia saftey training

30 Tax-related issues at top of state legislative agenda

31 Ag business puts down roots

32 Time & Thought devoted to bull selection is worth it

35 Illinois Department of Agriculture requests specialty crop grant proposals

37 Four Seasons Gardening Telenet Series

38 Making the Global Connection Through 4-H

magagDeKalb County

Contributing Photographer:DeKalb County Farm Bureau


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not disastrousto local balance sheets


Landon Faivre

By DANA HERRAFor DeKalb County Ag Mag

2012 was a harrowing year for Illinois farmers, but for the most part, the grain industry in DeKalb County emerged relatively unscathed, according to Landon Faivre, vice president and senior ag lender at Castle Bank.

“In general, from a financial standpoint, grain operations are in pretty good shape,” Faivre said. “On the livestock side, it’s a little different story.”

Several booming years in grain production prior to last year’s drought put many farmers in a good financial position, Faivre said. Those solid financials, combined with federal crop insurance, “allowed most producers to survive 2012 in pretty good shape,” he said.

“The average farmer or smaller-size operations are borrowing less money today than they were five years ago,” he said. “There are farmers who used to have a line of credit to fund their crop inputs who are no longer borrowing money.”

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the average corn yield in DeKalb County in 2012 was 159.3 bushels per acre, more than 54 bushels higher than the state average of 105. The soybean yield was 51.5 bushels per acre, eight and a half bushels above the state average of 43.

Faivre said there is a little concern locally that larger operations are currently more leveraged than medium or smaller operations.

“Most of the debt in agriculture today is concentrated at the top,” he said. “Those larger operations are more susceptible to a downturn in crop prices or yields.”

Things are less rosy on the livestock side. Unlike grain producers, hog producers had several years of losses from which they had not yet recovered when the drought hit. Moderate production in 2010 and 2011 did not offset losses experienced in 2008 and 2009, Faivre said. Then the drought drove up the price of feed, leading to moderate losses in 2012.

“It really put the squeeze on the margins in the hog industry,” he said. “In general, people in the hog industry have had a little tougher go, and their financial situation is a little more tenuous.”

DeKalb County is the second-largest hog-producing county in Illinois, marketing 506,000 pigs each

Spring 2013 | DeKalb County AG MAG | 7 year, according to statistics from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Pork production generates almost $73 million for the local economy, according to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

Fortunately, many DeKalb County hog farmers also produce grain, Faivre said, so they were able to mitigate losses on the livestock side of their operations with profits on the grain side.

“The ones who aren’t involved in grain production generally have the financial wherewithal to survive the up and down cycles,” he said. “For the guys who are involved with swine and grain, the grain side has carried the livestock side.”

Looking ahead to 2013, Faivre said things look fairly stable for grain producers. At the end of February, he said inputs and crop insurance prices are similar to last year. A rise in seed prices has been mostly offset by a drop in fertilizer, keeping overall inputs about the same, he said.

Faivre was also tentatively optimistic about the livestock industry in 2013. While he expected to see losses, he thought they would be moderate.

“Things look a little better, but it can all change,” he said. “It’s always changing. Thirty days ago it looked a lot better than it looks right now.”

At the end of February, he noted hog prices had fallen off about 10 percent from four weeks before.



DeKALB – DeKalb County farmers are sowing the seeds for the future of Illinois agriculture as leaders of some of the state’s top farming associations.

Local farmers who head state organizations include Paul Taylor, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association; Paul Rasmussen director of the Illinois Soybean Association; Sandra Robertson, director of the Illinois Beef Association; Bill Deutsch, director of the Illinois Milk Producers Association and Milk Promotion Board; and Mark Woltmann director of Illinois Pork Producers Association.

The strong contingent of agricultural leaders from DeKalb County comes as no surprise to Taylor who said the area remains one of the best farming hot spots in the nation.

“I think DeKalb County has long been a leader in agricultural activities and it goes back to teaching young students and getting them interested,” he said. “As population in agriculture declines, that leadership becomes more important.”

For some of the area’s leaders, the transition from the farm to a boardroom has come naturally. Rasmussen, a former DeKalb County Farm Bureau president, relishes his leadership role with the soybean association and is already tackling major issues.

He said as he continues to be more exposed to the legislative side, he sees opportunities to focus on industries that affect farming more than most realize. Transportation has become a primary focus for Rasmussen, who said expanding river routes and rail transportation will be crucial as Illinois’ soybean growers climb toward producing 600 million bushels a year.

“A quarter of our soybeans are getting exported from Illinois,” he said. “Whether you are in soybeans, corn, manufacturing or any other industry, transportation is vital to growth.”

Although leaders such as Rasmussen have grown comfortable in executive roles, others are getting used to swapping boots for high heels.

Robertson said leaving her Kirkland cattle farm for Springfield five times a year is challenging, but she has quickly seen the benefits of belonging to an association. The lifelong farmer said while there used to be a divide between cattle and crop farmers, there is a growing unity throughout the entire agriculture industry to gain strength in numbers.

Leading the state beef association has opened her eyes to how important each farming industry is to the other.

“Us farmers are about 1 percent of the population and as a beef producer, it’s even less than that,” she said. “When we all band together we have stronger voices.”

Others have used the platform to help educate the public about agriculture and encourage youth involvement to keep the engine behind the nation’s food source going strong into the future.

Deutsch, a Sycamore native and fourth-generation farmer, said it has been concerning to see the number of his fellow dairy producers fall off from more than 1,200 several years ago to less than 800 in 2013.

He said he has used his position as the head of the milk producer board to inspire more interest in the industry, starting with his own college-aged son, who he hopes will become a fifth generation farmer.

“Agriculture has certain things that when you grow up with it you grow to love it like bringing new life into this world when calves are born,” Deutsch said. “We may not be the most well-paid, but money isn’t everything. As I get older I am thankful to enjoy life the way I do.”

By JEFF ENGELHARDTFor DeKalb County Ag Mag

Shaping farms’ future



Sarah PetersonAgriculture Instructor FFA AdvisorDeKalb High School

The 2012-2013 school year has brought many changes for agricultural education at DeKalb High School, but the program remains strong. First year teachers, Sarah Peterson and Joseph Neville, see over 120 students in the six agriculture classes that have been offered each semester this year. The classes range from small engines to horticulture and focus on teaching students about the opportunities in agriculture and building skills for future careers. The students enrolled in agriculture reflect the diversity of DeKalb High School with only about 2-3% of students coming from a tradition farming background.

Another aspect of the agriculture department is the DeKalb FFA Chapter. The chapter consists of 45 members that are enrolled in agriculture classes and have an interest in developing leadership skills and educating others on the importance of agriculture. The chapter has been successful in its mission to educate through several endeavors this year. Dekalb FFA hosted a booth at Corn Fest for children to compete in a pedal tractor pull and learn about what FFA does. During National FFA Week, an educational petting zoo was organized for students from both DHS and the elementary schools within the district. For those two days, FFA members brought in their animals and taught other students about the use of those animals within the agriculture industry. Over 500 high school students and 670 elementary students enjoyed the experience and for some, it was the first opportunity to see some of these animals in person. FFA members have also reached out to elementary students through Ag in the Classroom. With the help of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, DHS FFA members presented agricultural lessons to five elementary classrooms this year.

Many individuals have found success through FFA as well. The chapter is led by the officer team of Jaylene Jennings, president, Kelsey Faivre, vice president, Rachel Cloud, treasurer, Katie Arndt, secretary, Justis Willrett, reporter, Dakota Howe, sentinel, Evan Froehlich, historian, and Eric Gommel, farm manager. Many members have competed at contests throughout the year, and several have done so very successfully. Kelsey Faivre will be competing at the district level with her Supervised Agricultural Experience records on her job at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. She will also be competing at the district public speaking contest in Extemporaneous Speaking, along with Justene Jennings in Creed Speaking. Evan Froehlich and Jacob Reaves will have the opportunity to compete in the state Agriculture Mechanics Career Development Event due to their first place finishes at the section level in welding and small engines, respectively.

The chapter looks to finish out the year with more community involvement and success at contests. With the continued support of DHS administrators, the DeKalb community, and the interest of students the agricultural program at DeKalb High School will continue to grow and help to educate students and the public on the importance of the agriculture industry.

continues to grow at DeKalb High School

AgriculturalEducation



SYCAMORE – Today, the Suter Company makes more than 100 different packaged food products at two Sycamore facilities.

But in 1925, the company began as a simple poultry slaughter operation in Palatine.

“Basically, it was a poultry farming and slaughtering operation,” said company president Tim Suter, grandson of founder Charles B. Suter. “He would purchase chickens from local farmers and sell meat and eggs to restaurants in northern Illinois.”

In the beginning, Tim Suter said, the business was run as more of a hand-to-mouth operation than as a company with a vision for the future.

“He (Charles) wanted to work for himself. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, and this was one way to have something to call his own,” Tim Suter said. “I don’t know if he ever thought about the company becoming anything remotely close to what it is today.”

Despite early struggles, the company survived the Great Depression and World War II. In 1950, it took the first step in its evolution. By that time, it had been located in Sycamore for more than a decade, and had spent three years at its facility on May Street, where it still operates today.

That was the year the Suter Company got out of the slaughtering business and began canning poultry. Its first product, canned boned chicken, was packaged in institution-size containers and sold to restaurants, schools and other large-scale operations. By the middle of the decade, it got USDA approval to sell its products nationwide.

“That was the first step in our evolution from a farm to a manufacturer of prepared foods,” Suter said.

In the late 1960s, the evolution continued as the company added canned salads such as chicken and tuna salad to its inventory. In the 1990s, it pioneered shelf-stable lunch kits – chicken or tuna salad packaged with crackers – which took it from the commercial into the consumer market. Today, the

company’s products – which still include canned chicken – can be found in food retailers all over the United States and Canada.

So why haven’t you seen a Suter Company label on a store shelf? The company’s private food label is Sycamore Farms, but about 75 percent of the food it manufactures is distributed under another company’s name. Through a process called co-packing, the Suter Company makes and packages refrigerated and shelf-stable food items for store brands like Walmart and Aldi and other companies like Jenny Craig and Bumblebee Tuna.

Often, these contracts come about by happenstance, Suter said. An executive at a food company may sample a Suter Company product from another store or a vending machine, then ask the company to make a product for their label.

“The one theme that runs through everything we do is convenience,” he said. “Today’s consumers don’t want to spend hours preparing meals. We all have a million things to do. ...This trend toward convenience has been a big part of our growth.”

That growth has continued, even through the Great Recession. In 2007, the company opened a second facility on Bethany Road, and it plans to build an addition onto its May Street location this year.

“The old adage is that the food industry isn’t impacted by the economy, because everybody always has to eat,” Suter said. “People are always looking for a good value on food.”


rises from humble

beginning

Suter CompanyThe


In January, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed what many people already knew – that 2012 was the warmest year on record for the lower 48 contiguous states.

2012 was also the 22nd driest year since DeKalb County began keeping records in 1888.

Gilbert Sebenste, staff meteorologist at Northern Illinois University, said last year’s precipitation totals were 12.55 inches lower than normal. DeKalb County received 24.24 inches of rain and melted snow – 34 percent lower than our average of 36.79 inches.

Local corn yields for 2012, at 159.3 bushels per acre, were down 34 percent from the previous year’s harvest.

“Bean yields were good, but corn yields were really hurt,” said Don Huftalin, a farmer from Malta. “But we’re farmers and we are subject to Mother Nature. Some times she treats us better than others.”

Mother Nature’s effect on the jet stream was a primary cause of last year’s drought.

“What happened is that last year we were in a La Nina,” Sebenste said of the long-term weather system that prevailed over much of the continental United States. “The waters off the central Pacific Ocean were cooler than normal. It may not sound like it, but that has a serious effect on the weather.”

Sebenste added that La Nina brought a high pressure system over the central U.S., forcing the jet stream to change its configuration and steer storm systems that would normally hit the Midwest to go north into Canada or south into the Gulf of Mexico.

By CURTIS CLEGGFor DeKalb County Ag Mag


Gilbert Sebenste Staff Meteorologist NIU


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For a period of several months the Mississippi River’s water levels were so low that fully-loaded barges could not transport commodities south on the river or bring supplies, like fertilizer, north. Fortunately, early winter rains and snow have raised the river back to navigable levels.

Aquifer levels were generally unaffected by the drought.

“The general rule is that the deeper the aquifer, the less it will react on a short-term basis,” said Professor Collin Booth, Chair of NIU’s Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences. However, he said that some of the shallower aquifers he has studied “in the later part of 2012 were the lowest thing we have seen in a few years.”

Booth said that aquifers are normally recharged by winter and spring precipitation.

Russ Higgins, commercial agriculture educator for the University of Illinois Extension, spoke at the Northern Illinois Farm Show in DeKalb in January about ways the drought may affect farming practices in 2013. He noted that drought-stricken plants did not use as much nitrogen as much as they normally would, and that more water-soluble nitrogen remained in

the soil than usual. He said farmers should test their soil nitrogen levels carefully before applying fertilizer in 2013.

Higgins encouraged farmers to reduce the amount of tillage trips they make in their fields, but noted that there is little else they can do to prepare for another possible year of drought.

“We aren’t doing anything different this year,” Huftalin said.

Sebenste said that the La Nina system lasted longer than usual last year, but neither La Nina or El Nino will be factors in the weather systems over Illinois this year, which is cause for guarded optimism. While some weather models predict slightly higher-than-average precipitation for DeKalb County this spring, he remains cautious about such models, noting that unforeseen events like hurricanes and tropical storms can change the jet stream’s long-term pattern in a matter of days.

“Even the best computer models did not predict the 2012 drought,” he noted.



By ERIC JOHNSONFor DeKalb County Ag Mag

For Bob Pritchard, farming is a way of life. Born in 1945, he grew up on a family farm, where he helped his family raise crops such as corn, soybeans, oats, and alfalfa. Pritchard and his family still run the family farm, now six generations old, with the same vigor and pride that was instilled in him from an early age. “I learned everything farming had to offer when I was a child,” Pritchard said. “I’ve carried those values with me my entire life, even as I farm today.”

After obtaining his master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he went into farm broadcasting and worked for the extension information offices in Iowa, Illinois, and DeKalb County.

Throughout his career, Pritchard, who represents much of DeKalb County in Springfield as a state representative from the 70th District, has focused a large part of his efforts on speaking for those in the farming community. “When I worked for the DeKalb County school board, I aimed to incorporate the concerns of land owners, as well as parents when trying to set educational policies,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard served on the executive committee of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau for 19 years, and was president of the DeKalb County Soy Bean Association. “I’ve used my time and experience with the farm bureau to help represent rural communities,” said Pritchard. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity.”

Illinois Soybean Association director, Paul Rasmussen, worked closely alongside Pritchard on the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. “He was always very accessible,” said Rasmussen. “He brings a friendly ear to everyone he engages with, especially when it comes to issues down in Springfield and agricultural communities. He understands the issues at hand and has a way of interpreting them to those with power to change them.”

In 2002, Pritchard was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, where he has devoted his time to conveying the opinions of DeKalb Country property owners and citizens to reflect the concern over policies in agriculture. “One of the biggest challenges in Illinois right now is growing the economy and capitalizing on the strengths that we have,” Pritchard said. “Clearly agriculture is one of our strengths. We want to be sure that we’re not changing the cost of doing business in Illinois for farmers.”

“A significant issue we are fine tuning currently is our property tax law, so that it is fair across the state. We have unfairly used contributions that farm owners are expected to make in property taxes, and that needs to change.”

Pritchard credits the work the Farm Bureau brings to public policy and the way it engages citizens into public policy processes, making them aware of some of the legislation being considered.

“It contributes to the work we do here in the state capitol and in DeKalb County,” he said. “There is a whole host of areas where I take my values and experience working with the Farm Bureau, farmers, and citizens of DeKalb County that have the same values, and try to bring that to the discussion to Springfield. That is the real value I have been able to gain and share throughout the entirety of my career.”

Farm familyvalues


Bob Pritchard

Paul Rasmussen

Spring 2013 | DeKalb County AG MAG | 15 Spring 2013 | DeKalb County AG MAG | 15

Sycamore High School & Kishwaukee Education Consortium

present an all new Agriculture Senior Academy

Pictured above from left to right: Kelsey Kendall, Autumn Salis, Amanda Ericson, Paul Deutsch, Collin Hillquist, Gwen Gates, Claire Flieder, Tylan Hoffman, Kim Smith and Kylee Randall

Kara PoynterAg Instructor and FFA Advisor, Sycamore High School

Sycamore High School and Kishwaukee Education Consortium are proud to announce that they will be starting an Agriculture Career Academy in the spring of 2013. The Ag Academy is an opportunity to showcase the Agriculture Industry and Agriculture Businesses in the DeKalb County area. The program is designed for seniors to graduate high school with career experiences that will help them further their education in college or the workforce. Students who fulfill the requirements of the course will earn high school and college credit. When seniors graduate Sycamore High School, we encourage them to have an appreciation not only for their education but an understanding of the opportunities that are available in their future careers.

The Ag Academy will have an in-class and out-of-class component. While in class we will be studying the various Agriculture Pathways such as: Agriculture Engineering, Agriculture Mechanics, Animal Science, Farm Management, Horticulture, Manufacturing, Production Agriculture and Trading/Marketing. I think it is very important for students to see that there is more to Agriculture than farming crops or raising animals. I think it is important for them to understand the basis of the food and fiber system, and the science behind it. Agriculture is becoming very science based and with that we will see a need for many new and upcoming careers that do not take place on the farm.

Also during the 18 weeks that we are together, students will be able to review their resumes, understand the basis of job interviews and get a glimpse of what local companies are looking for in their employees. We will spend a few days working with Kishwaukee College going through a Tour, Learning to Access KISH SOS and Student Ambassador Presentation about what it is like to be a college student. Also the students in the Ag Academy will be meeting with an Agriculture Transfer program instructor and Dean of Career Technologies about the programs they offer. This is an opportunity to leave high school with knowledge of Agriculture Employment Opportunities. This class is designed to explore opportunities and help formulate the beginning of student’s educational career goals and path. We hope that the team work between our school, Kishwaukee College and the business leaders will prove to be a positive investment in the future of our young adults.

Students participated in one community activity in 2012. On September 6, students from Sycamore High Schools Ag Academy class and I, attended the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Business Roundtable at The Hintzsche Company in Kirkland, IL. During this program, students were able to network with other area business leaders while learning more about The Hintzsche Company. Students were given a look inside how Biotechnology is the future of our food industry and what The Hintzsche Company is doing to stay current in with Biotechnology trends.


By ERIC JOHNSONFor DeKalb County Ag Mag

The year 2012 saw many challenges, but some positive signs in the state of the farm economy in DeKalb County and in Illinois, and that trend looks likely to continue.

“There were several crucial elements that affected the farm economy in 2012,” said Scott Newport, representative of the Illinois Valley chapter of the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management association. “Overall, it was a good year for most grain farms.”

One factor in keeping production low on a national level was the drought, which caused grain prices to rise. The lack of rainfall was also a dominant factor in crop yields staying low.

“Being that feed is made up of various grains and oil seeds, the costs go hand-in-hand,” Newport said. “When grain prices are high, feed prices are going to be high. Last year, a significant obstacle hit livestock farms that endured higher feed costs.”

The rising cost of feed made it a more difficult year for livestock farmers. However, income proved to be steady overall for farmers on the grain side.

“Income wise, 2012 for grain farms faired reasonably well.” said Gary Schnitkey, professor in the Dept. of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The drought remains a key factor in the struggle to keep the farming industry profitable, and its effect was seen throughout the state. The Department of Agriculture said the conditions were the worst recorded since 1988.

“DeKalb County obviously saw the adverse effects of the drought, but southern Illinois was really hit hard by it,” Schnitkey said. “The lower yields certainly didn’t help boost any incomes.”

The low yields and the part they played in driving the economic status of crop prices was highly evident. Schnitkey noted if rainfall increases this year, hopes are high for profitability.

“If we get average to above-average corn yields in 2013,” he said, “we will most likely be looking at the price-per-bushel rate to be somewhere around $4.80 to $4.90 in the fall.”

He also cited crop insurance as a pivotal component in the outcome of farmers’ income.

“With the crop insurance guarantee levels where they are at, 2013 may not look as profitable as 2012, but we are still projecting it to be a very reasonable year.”

Profit Projected Positive signs likely to continue


Scott NewportGary Schnitkey


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Ask any steam engineer, and they will tell you that steam engines are just like living beings. They have personalities, and sometimes attitudes. They have days that they will work flawlessly and the next will refuse to do so. They each have unique quirks and tricks that make them run either for better or for worse, and even certain problems that an engineer must learn to deal with. Part of the way a steamer performs also depends on the operator, who holds the skills and knowledge required to get maximum output from an engine. This knowledge is priceless, and it is essential that it be passed down to the next generation. That is precisely why I attended the Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Association’s (W.H.S.E.A.) 2012 Steam School. There are only about four other courses like this across the nation, and I have been told by their graduates that this was one of the best!

Ever since 2003, the W.H.S.E.A. has been holding this course at the Rock River Thresheree showgrounds in Edgerton, which is about ten minutes north of Janesville, WI. The Thresheree is just like the steam show in Sycamore, except for the fact that it is much larger in terms of land. This land is also home to a 2ft. gauge (meaning space between the rails) steam railroad. Officially named the Rock River Cannonball, the tracks run a loop around the showgrounds. It’s powered by a 1943 Henschel steam locomotive, made in Germany and shipped to the U.S. in the 70’s to run around the park. There is also a spare locomotive, dubbed Sparky, which does not get used as frequently. The Cannonball pulls two passenger cars on the short line and rides last about seven minutes. One of the highlights of the steam school is that on Saturday night of the show, they fire it up and run it around the park to the students’ content.

engineer

Askany

steam

By Liam DanceyNorthern Illinois Steam Power Club Member



Since I possess several years of previous steam experience and can walk my way around a steamer with ease, one of my mentors, Dave Stevens, thought I would greatly benefit from attending the annual W.H.S.E.A. Steam School. It had come up many times before in conversations, and we both thought that if I already had a wide knowledge of the workings of a steamer, I would get far more from the course than if I were to attend not knowing much initially. This is precisely what he had done for himself and his daughters when they first became involved with traction engines, and this trip was his third time in attendance. He said that most of the students didn’t know anything about these engines whatsoever, and I would be an exception.

So, the date was set and we anticipated leaving. It was held the last weekend in September, running Friday to Sunday. Because the first day of the course was held on a Friday, I was under the impression that I would miss a day of school to go play with steam engines, (which is always a bonus) but Mr. Stevens said I already knew the material that would be taught the first day and a half. It ended up that we left Friday evening from his farm in his camper, and made the short 2 ½ hour drive arriving in Edgerton just after dusk. While Mr. Stevens set up camp, I eagerly checked in with one of the organizers of the school, Jeff Bloemers, and received a packet with books and a nametag. Joining the class, I realized just how right Mr. Stevens was that I already knew a lot of the material.

After everything quieted down and the students had all gone to bed, I joined the group of instructors at the campfire and found that I already knew most of them from the show in Sycamore. It was late before the fire dwindled out and everyone turned in for the night.

The next morning when I woke up, the smell of smoke was already in the air and several of the engines were warming up. The class divided into two groups, one that would be in the classroom the first part of the day, and then would switch to go run the engines the second half. I was in the classroom first, which presented me with an opportunity to take some of the new techniques

I learned and apply them in reality later that day. For example, a new way to clean out a sight glass. A sight glass is a glass cylinder that is connected to the boiler so you can see the water level, know when to add water to the boiler, and most importantly prevent an explosion. When the class switched, I was able to test this and several other things I had learned.

Then, while I was tinkering around, a whistle sounded from within the woods, and thick coal smoke began to pour out around the treetops. Everyone stopped in their tracks to watch the tiny Henschel locomotive charge up the hill in all her glory, carrying one of the sleek passenger coaches behind it. While everyone watched, its massive Powell whistle rang out and it slowly came to a stop. Mr. Stevens was in the cab, and was in charge of the boiler. After class was over and everyone had eaten dinner, it was already getting dark and soon the students would get to take a ride on the train. So, everyone piled into the passenger car and prepared to get underway, while I waited in the cab of the locomotive. Since it was dark out, we turned on the Dynamo that powered the engine’s headlight, a light in the cab over the steam gauges, and lights in the coaches. For several hours, we steamed around the park, and I eventually got to fire the engine. It was truly amazing.

Sunday morning, everything was wrapping up, and the students all received a graduation certificate, and some took an American Society of Power Engineer’s (A.S.O.P.E.) boiler exam. I thought it would be better if I took a year to reinforce all I had learned and plan to return next September to take the test.

After a weekend of fun, the camper was packed up and we made our way back to Sycamore. I have learned a lot from this course, and am excited for next year when I hope to return as more than just a student. So, ask any steam engineer and they will tell you that the W.H.S.E.A. course is one of the best around. For more information, the club has a website at www.whsea.org.


Students attending the 2012 Steam School get a chance at the wheel.

Liam driving one of the Steam tractors at the Steam School in September 2012.



The office on Bethany Road in DeKalb looks unassuming, but the work done there keeps Illinois’ signature industry humming.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s DeKalb office is one of only four offices the agency keeps in the state. Offices in Chicago and Springfield are denoted “administrative,” and the department maintains a state fair office in DuQuoin. The official title of the DeKalb office is the Environmental Programs Regional Office.

“We do a lot of things,” said Mark Cinnamon, the state’s plant regulatory supervisor. “We wear a lot of hats.”

In the first place, the DeKalb office administers the state’s pesticide applicator program, certifying all outdoor-use pesticide applicators, including farmers and landscape companies. It also regulates pesticide sales and investigates complaints of misuse.

The office is also in charge of inspecting the state’s nursery stock for disease and pests, and regulating nursery stock dealers such as big box stores, garden centers and greenhouses.

Not every greenhouse falls under the department’s purview, Cinnamon said. Small producers selling nursery stock locally are generally not inspected by the department of agriculture. Inspectors’ main focus is on stock that is being exported out of the state.

“Our goal is to protect the public from new pests,” he said.

Occasionally, smaller nurseries will call the department if they have an order to be sent out of state, Cinnamon said. And if nursery staff is applying pesticides, they still have to go through the state office for certification. Nine staffers in the DeKalb office inspect and regulate about 900 nurseries and nearly 5,000 garden centers and nursery stock dealers in the state, while also working in the pesticide program.

The DeKalb office also manages export certifications

Local office keeps state’s ag industry moving

IllInoIsDepartment of Ag:



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for all Illinois plant exports. In addition to the expected shipments of grain and seed, Cinnamon said Illinois exporters ship byproducts like distiller’s grain, a byproduct of ethanol production, and a surprising amount of live plant material as nursery stock. Exports from the state travel to about 180 countries worldwide.

“That’s really a very large part of our jobs,” he said. “Illinois is the number four agricultural exporting state in the nation. We make sure exporters here meet all of the requirements of the foreign countries they are exporting to.”

Two members of the DeKalb office’s staff process most of the export certifications for the state, Cinnamon said, but nearly everyone on staff is certified by the USDA for export services.

“Literally hundreds of exporters work with us on a weekly basis,” he said. “There are a lot of very large exporters in Illinois – seed companies, ethanol plants, companies like Archer Daniel Midland.”

The office also manages two of the state’s invasive pest programs. The program manager for the European gypsy moth quarantine program is based in DeKalb, and about five full-time staffers manage the state’s emerald ash borer program. Several years ago, when emerald ash borer was first detected in the state, there were about 30 people working in that program, Cinnamon said; staffing in the office fluctuates based the programs being handled at any given time and the funding allocated to those programs.

At this point, Cinnamon said, DeKalb County is “almost beyond the cusp” of the emerald ash borer invasion. Northeastern Illinois is heavily invested, and there have been reports of the tree-killing pest from western Illinois and as far south as Salem.

“We expect that to continue, mostly from people moving things around,” he said. “The biggest part of the program now is outreach and education. We follow closely research being done at universities that shows some promise in managing the spread of emerald ash borer. ...The closer you get to Lake Michigan, were we first found it, it’s very, very heavy. It’s likely in every ash tree in that area. ...This is a pest that is not going away, and we’re not going to eradicate it.”

Mark Cinnamon



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Providing consumers with agriculture information is as

easy as logging on to FacebookFarming is difficult. Paid time off is hard to come by, hours can range from sunup to sun-

down, and Mother Nature isn’t always the most understanding supervisor.

But wild hours and weather aren’t the only obstacles farmers face today. In today’s information age, consumers can log onto Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, or with a simple search engine query,

find the answer to nearly any question in a matter of minutes.

But are consumers receiving the best answers to their agriculture-related questions? It’s no secret that agriculture has been the target of some pretty tough – even unfair and downright wrong – accusations. And,

most of those accusations – and the “evidence” to back them up – are plastered all over the internet. With just a few keystrokes and a few seconds on Google, consumers have all of that wrong information at their fingertips.

So what can farmers do to ensure that consumers are getting correct and honest answers to the questions they have a right to ask? Farmers can be the ones to provide information to consumers.

Enter Illinois Farm Families. As representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association,

Illinois Farm Families


Philip Nelson President & Executive officer Illinois Farm Bureau


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Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Farm Families are committed to having meaningful conversations with consumers and sharing what really happens on today’s family farms, without any filters.

Last year, nine Field Moms — Chicago-area moms who had questions about food and farming, but no experience in production agriculture — toured five Illinois farms, learning about everything from livestock and dairy production to the ins and outs of corn and soybean production.

This year, Illinois Farm Families are upping the ante, hoping to line up at least 30 Field Moms to participate in six tours on farms across the state. This year’s activities will include tours of a hog farm, dairy farm, specialty crop farm, a planting tour, harvest tour and even a “Mom’s Choice” tour.

During the tours, the Field Moms have the opportunity to talk with real farmers and their families about important topics in agriculture, including gestation stalls, biotechnology and animal welfare — and anything else with which they’re concerned.

Farmers interested in supporting Illinois Farm Families can help by doing what they do best — talking about what they love most. Use your own Facebook and Twitter accounts to tell your friends and followers about your day. Or get creative and post a video to YouTube. Research tells us that consumers like farmers and farming, but are concerned about farming practices. So listen to their concerns and answer their questions authentically.

Did you prepare for spring planting? How about work cattle? Perhaps you were repairing some of your equipment or maybe you were applying fertilizer. Whatever it was, talk about it. And answer questions. Remember to use words and phrases that consumers who aren’t familiar with farming will understand, like ‘farmers’ rather than ‘producers’ and’ grown and raised’ rather than ‘produced.’

Or refer friends to the Illinois Farm Families website at www.watchusgrow.org. There, they get their questions answered, meet the Field Moms and farmers, read blogs and follow the Field Moms on their tours. They can also follow Illinois Farm Families on Facebook and Twitter.It doesn’t matter whether consumers get information on our Facebook page or yours. The only thing that matters is they get the right information.


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In 1972, founders Lesand Shirley Flanigan startedtheir small RV business on

South 4th Street in DeKalb. In 1976, they built a new, biggerand much-needed facility, three miles east of town on Route38. In 1983, their son Rick started full time with the business,and his wife Lisa joined the company in 1990. Les and Shirleyretired in 1995, and Rick and Lisa continue to run the familybusiness. Since then, they have remodeled and more recently

added a new building to offer six new service bays to theirexisting four bays.

“Your pleasure is our business” still remains the Flaniganfamily motto.

“We want our customers to be proud to show their units totheir friends and family,” Rick said. “Most of all, we want themto be provided with years of excellent service and comfort.”

Whether going on weekend trips, cross country tours oreven in need of a second home, customers can count on Holi-day Hour to find them the perfect recreational camper.

Last year, we celebrated our Customer Appreciation Camp-ing weekend with over 200 of our customers in Millbrook, Ill.,at the Yogi Bear Campground. It was a huge success. Guestsplayed outdoor games and bingo. Dinner was provided byFay’s Bar-B-Que, music by Back Country Roads, and a won-derful breakfast served by our camping club, the Holijays.

So, if you aren’t yet a customer, visit Holiday Hour andplan on becoming one. You don’t want to miss out on any ofour exciting events.

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Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) partnered with AgCareers.com to develop the Ag Career Finder app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. The Ag

Career Finder app allows students or the general public to explore core agricultural careers or those that are considered to have a critical need shortage in terms of candidates.

App users may browse 58 careers by the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career pathways – Plant Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Business,

Environmental Services, Food Science and Natural Resources.

Each of the 58 career profiles include an overview of the career, suggested high school courses, experience needed, degrees required, potential employers, salary range, employment outlook and

trends, and professional organizations. Additionally, each of the career profiles are linked to current job openings at AgCareers.com.

“STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related agricultural careers are in very high demand both nationally and internationally,” said Luke Allen, District 2 and Urban FCAE program advisor. “The Ag Career Explorer app allows students to browse these careers that they may not realize existed.”

To learn more about this application and to download it, search Ag

Career Finder at the Google Play store or for apple products go to:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ag-career-finder/id573754647?mt=8/.

This project was funded as part of a grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Community College Board.

The statewide agricultural education team includes the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education, the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois FFA, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Illinois Association Community College Agriculture Instructors, and Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.

The team works to help ensure a successful social, economic and environmental future for the state with kindergarten through adult education programs in support of Illinois’ largest industry, agriculture. For more information, visit www.agriculturaleducation.org.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Preventing accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia is a high priority for the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and Illinois agricultural organizations. These accidents can not only result in the loss of valuable nitrogen fertilizer, but also cause injury to farmers and emergency responders. “The IDOA investigates all agricultural-relatedanhydrous ammonia incidents,” Jerry Kirbach, bureau chief of Ag Products Inspection, said. “Our investigation of incidents over the last three years shows that improper management of ammonia hoses, failure to maintain safety devices on tool bars and not properly securing the tanks during highway and field transportation are among the leading causes of accidents.”

The department and Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) jointly provide training programs for employees of retail anhydrous ammonia facilities, who are required to be trained every three years. But to address the critical need to improve ammonia safety when farmers are handling the product, the department, IFCA, Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) collaborated to develop a detailed web- based training program for farmers.

IFCA submitted a grant to the newly formed Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) to fund the program. IFCA and IDOA staff then developed the program content, which features video and animation of actual ammonia accidents that occurred in Illinois and detailed instructions on how they could have been prevented. The program’s five training modules cover properties of ammonia, personal protective equipment, transportation of ammonia to and from the field, the safe hook-up of ammonia tanks in the field and emergency response and first aid procedures. After completing the training, farmers can take a knowledge assessment to determine their understanding of the material and print a certificate of completion for their records.

“In the past we have tried various venues to get important information to farmers about ammonia safety, including pamphlets, seminars, an awareness video and checklists for fertilizer dealers to share with farmers,” Kevin Runkle, Manager of Regulatory Services for IFCA, said. “Unfortunately, these efforts have been insufficient to convey the importance of specific preventative measures that must be understood and followed each time a farmer uses anhydrous ammonia. This web-based program is unique in its sophistication and detail. It allows the farmer to log in and then return to the program at any time to pick up where he left off or to go back and review the safety modules.”

Thanks to funding from NREC, the program is free to farmers or anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of ammonia safety.

“When not handled properly, anhydrous ammonia can cause serious injury and impact the environment,” Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. “I encourage farmers who apply their own ammonia to use the program, take the knowledge assessment and self-certify that they are trained to safely handle this product.”

The program can be accessed at the following

websites; specific questions about the program or its

features should be directed to IFCA.

Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association:

www.ifca.com

Illinois Corn Growers Association: www.ilcorn.org

Illinois Farm Bureau: www.ilfb.org

Illinois Department of Agriculture: www.agr.state.il.us

partner to provide web-based anhydrous ammonia saftey training

IODA and AG Industry



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State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, has been spearheading efforts to ensure that taxes on farmland are assessed in a fair manner. Legislation has yet to be introduced, but the Illinois Farm Bureau has been working with the Illinois Department of Revenue in an attempt to keep farmers’ taxes from skyrocketing this year.

The Department of Revenue supports a proposal that would change how farmland values are determined. Since 1977, the taxes have been based on the land’s production rather than its market value. Because of wild fluctuations, in 1986 local governments instituted tax caps to make it easier for them and school districts to budget.

The Farm Bureau is lobbying to make sure the land continues to be taxed based on productivity, but it wants to fix the distortions created by the tax caps, according to Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau director of state legislation.

“The most important thing is to make sure the Illinois Farmland Assessments law is fair for everyone, and the distortions in the tax rates are addressed,” Semlow said.

The proposal would limit changes in the certified values of soils to 10 percent for Illinois’s medium cropland soil rather than the current 10 percent limit that now applies across the board.

State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, has been on the Agriculture and Conservation Committee all 10 years he has served in the General Assembly and serves as House minority spokesman for agriculture. He says that this issue has huge implications for farmers.

“Farmers have seen farmland assessment change dramatically, and I think this is the biggest agriculture issue in Illinois right now,” Sacia said.

While farmland assessments are directly related to taxes, Semlow says the Farm Bureau believes that the state’s budgetary problems, particularly $94 billion in unfunded pensions, also are tax issues that profoundly affect everyone in Illinois.

“This is the biggest issue in the General Assembly, and we (Farm Bureau) have worked closely to bring about true pension reform,” Semlow said. “The pension issue ultimately is about a shift in who pays.”

Taxes were the predominant theme for agriculture lobbyists in Washington at the beginning of 2013, and the same holds true in Springfield.

Tax-relatedissues

at top of state legislative agenda

Rep. Jim Sacia


Pam EggenmeierFor DeKalb County Ag Mag


SYCAMORE – No one taught Ed Reichling how to fix up and sell used agriculture equipment. In his own words, he was just lucky.

“No one taught me the ins and outs – it was all by hard luck,” Reichling said. “As we were selling the used, this new stuff started trickling in. Doors kept opening.”

What began as a one-man operation at the family farm in Waldwick, Wis., has expanded to three locations in Dodgeville, Wis., Utica, Ill., and – as of last fall – Sycamore. Reichling said the Sycamore branch of R-Equipment at 8789 Route 64, will be operated by his daughter Hilary.

“She plans to put down roots there,” Reichling said.

R-Equipment in Sycamore sells 10 different kinds of equipment lines, including New Holland tractors, Dixie Chopper lawnmowers, and Stoughton and Merritt grain trailers, Reichling said.

Reichling said DeKalb County was deprived agriculture dealerships, and that he is looking to compete with local ones.

“Competition is good, we embrace competition,” Reichling said. “It keeps everybody sharper to the benefit of the farmers and the public that they get the best equipment at the fairest price.”

R-Equipment salesman Joe James said they are bringing something different to the area.

“We’re a New Holland dealership in an area that hasn’t had that kind of representation for many years,” James said. “It’s exciting for all of us to be in DeKalb County.”

Reichling hasn’t forgotten his roots though. In addition to sales and rentals, the shop’s 11 employees will repair farm equipment as well.

“We bring them up to speed and keep them at a great price,” Reichling said. “I knew I was doing my job properly when I would sell a used tractor with 8,000 hours and two years later, the same farmer was back looking for a new tractor.”

Reichling added that he also will help sell a customer’s piece of farm equipment, with a portion of the sales going to R-Equipment.

SYCAMORE – No one taught Ed Reichling how to fix up and sell used agriculture equipment. In his own words, he was just lucky.

“No one taught me the ins and outs – it was all by hard luck,” Reichling said. “As we were selling the used, this new stuff started trickling in. Doors kept opening.”

What began as a one-man operation at the family farm in Waldwick, Wis., has expanded to three locations in Dodgeville, Wis., Utica, Ill., and – as of last fall – Sycamore. Reichling said the Sycamore branch of R-Equipment at 8789 Route 64, will be operated by his daughter Hilary.

“She plans to put down roots there,” Reichling said.

R-Equipment in Sycamore sells 10 different kinds of equipment lines, including New Holland tractors, Dixie Chopper lawnmowers, and Stoughton and Merritt grain trailers, Reichling said.

Reichling said DeKalb County was deprived agriculture dealerships, and that he is looking to compete with local ones. “Competition is good, we embrace competition,” Reichling said. “It keeps everybody sharper to the benefit of the farmers and the public that they get the best equipment at the fairest price.”

R-Equipment salesman Joe James said they are bringing something different to the area. “We’re a New Holland dealership in an area that hasn’t had that kind of representation for many years,” James said. “It’s exciting for all of us to be in DeKalb County.”

Reichling hasn’t forgotten his roots though. In addition to sales and rentals, the shop’s 11 employees will repair farm equipment as well. “We bring them up to speed and keep them at a great price,” Reichling said. “I knew I was doing my job properly when I would sell a used tractor with 8,000 hours and two years later, the same farmer was back looking for a new tractor.”

Reichling added that he also will help sell a customer’s piece of farm equipment, with a portion of the sales going to R-Equipment.

Ag Businessputs down roots

By DAViD THOMAsFor DeKalb County Ag Mag

Semlow says the pension reform proposals that are being discussed are based on one overriding premise – a shift to property taxes.“A shift to more land-based taxation obviously means that farmers will shoulder more of the burden,” he said.

Farm Bureau’s top stated state legislative priority for 2013 is to push for passage of a budget that preserves current levels of funding for core ag programs without tax increases.

“Ag has been put in a hard spot the last 10 years,” Semlow said. “There have been dramatic cuts to staff in inspections, process permits, soil and conservation districts. “We know the economy has been tough, but we need to preserve what we have.”

Farmers also are taking a keen interest in energy issues, which promise to be at hot state legislative topic. Sacia says that extracting oil, gas, and even coal-based energy through rock formations, known as hydraulic fracturing, has become a heated issue.

“There is a tremendous push on fracking,” Sacia said. “It’s going to affect the ag community because they own the land, and many environmental groups are getting involved.”

Fracking allows gas and oil to be extracted from areas previously not thought possible. While supporters point to its importance in creating a more self-sufficient energy policy and the jobs it is creating, opponents says there are environmental hazards to groundwater and the air.Farm Bureau supports legislation to set regulations for fracking that protect the land and water. In the renewable energy arena, ag lobbyists also would like to see legislation passed that brings consistency to wind power development – particularly in how landowners’ rights are protected.

Another problem Illinois farmers face is not a new one. Environmental regulations, especially on livestock farmers, will continue to be an issue in 2013. Sacia, who was born on a dairy farm and continues to farm as an “avocation,” believes that the EPA comes down too hard on livestock producers.

“This is an ongoing problem,” he said. “EPA makes it tough on livestock and dairy, in my opinion overly so. Farmers are actually the best environmentalists; they have a long history of taking care of the land.”

Semlow doesn’t anticipate any huge changes regarding environmental issues and says that those issues are primarily handled through the administrative rule-making process.

Semlow does see some transportation issues that show up more on the local level. He said that the ag community would like to see some degree of weight limit uniformity on local roads. Local road commissioners in various townships tend to establish different weight limits, which can make travel difficult.

The 98th General Assembly represents a considerable changing of the guard. Its 41 new members will have a small learning curve in dealing with a legislative agenda full of critical and contentious issues. Sacia says that shouldn’t be a problem.

“They have to hit the ground running,” he said. “Within 6 months, you’re a reasonably effective legislator; after a year, you should be speaking up on issues and in committee.”

Semlow agrees that the high turnover shouldn’t slow the process.

“They catch on quickly, but it will be interesting to see how the freshmen handle it,” Semlow said. “With the large influx of new people, it should produce a lot of new ideas.”



It is important to make sound, informed decisions when buying bulls. A bull has more genetic contribution to the herd than a cow. A bull will sire 10 to 30 progeny, where a cow has only one calf. With the average herd size at 40 cows, a bull can sire up to 75 percent of the calves in an average-sized operation. A mistake in bull buying can result in calves that are undesirable to an operation or even the industry.

On the other hand, a good purchase can yield quality replacements and profitable, industry-relevant cattle.

So where do you start? Before you get bogged down in numbers, pedigrees, pictures, and more numbers, it is important to evaluate your own operation. The cattle industry is extremely diverse and different types of cattle can be profitable. A producer must identify a market and select cattle that will demand a premium in that market. Producers who retain ownership and sell on a grid would want to put more emphasis on carcass traits, whereas cattlemen who sell bred heifers would want to put more stress on reproductive and maternal traits. There is no one formula that fits all cattlemen. Identify your market and select bulls that will generate progeny that fit it.Selection tools have come a long way in the last 10 years. Today’s EPDs are not your father’s EPDs. EPDs not only take parentage, weights, and carcass information into account, but now they are even enhanced by DNA genetic tests. This helps improve the accuracy of EPDs sooner in an animal’s life.

Previously, we have had to wait for one or two calf crops to justify the values. Now, we can make confident breeding decisions with younger bulls that supply fresher genetics. The EPDs provided to producers in 2013 are more reliable than ever before. Use these genetic predictors as the foundation to bull selection.

Worthwhile in bull selection

Have you ever looked beside the recliner of a cattleman during bull sale season? Catalogs stacked deep and scattered in every direction, pages saved, lot numbers circled, EPDs highlighted, and a dozen empty coffee cups littering the scene. Bull selection can be a consuming task, but cattlemen realize future profitability is very dependent on the next herdsire.

W. Travis Meteer, MSBeef Extension Educator, University of Illinois



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Dollar values and multi-trait indexes also help simplify selection. These figures help weigh and emphasize economically important traits into a single value. All essential breeds have developed these values. For example $W and $B (Angus), API and TI (Simmental), $BMI and $CHB (Hereford). These values blend numbers and economics to help illustrate how an animal can impact the bottom line. Visit respective breed association websites for further explanation on indexes.

No matter where you decide to put your emphasis when selecting bulls, DO NOT single-trait select. It is important to realize that when improvement is made in one trait, a decline in another trait is likely. If you select to increase growth traits, you’re inevitably increasing mature cow size and nutrient requirements of daughters from this mating

Progress can be made in several different traits, but these improvements take time. Smart, well-thought-out selections can yield these improvements, but it is important to stay away from extremes.

While you are sorting through bull sale catalogs, remember that your selection has great impact. Find bulls that work for your operation. Invest in these bulls. Don’t let your selection be dependent upon price. Good times are ahead for the cow/calf producer. An investment in good genetics will pay dividends and benefit you for years to come.



SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) now is accepting applications for federal specialty crop grants.

Funds for the program come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Farm Bill and are intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry. The department has not been notified of the exact amount of its award, but anticipates receiving about $600,000.

“Expanding access to nutritious, homegrown Illinois food is one of my top priorities,” Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. “If we could increase local food purchases to just 10 percent of our grocery bill, it would generate more than 20 billion dollars in new economic activity every year, create thousands of jobs in the farming and food industries and revitalize both rural and urban communities.”

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service defines specialty crops as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).”

According to a 2010 Illinois Specialty Crop Survey, more than 101,000 acres of Illinois farmland are devoted to growing specialty crops, producing nearly $392 million in annual sales for Illinois farmers. Nationally, Illinois ranks first for its pumpkin production and in the top ten in the production of specialty crops such as asparagus, cauliflower, peas and lima beans.

Funds will open new markets for fresh produce grown in the state

Proposed projects should accomplish one or more of the following objectives:

• Increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.

• Improve efficiency and reduce costs of distribution systems.

• Assist in developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.

• Invest in specialty crop research, including

organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes.

• Enhance food safety.

• Develop new and improved seed varieties and

specialty crops.

• Improve pest and disease control.

• Promote organic and sustainable production

practices.

The IDOA will accept grant proposals until April 15, 2013, at 4 p.m. Request for Proposal packets can be found online at www.agr.state.il.us/Grants/specialtycrops.html or by contacting

Delayne Reeves. She can be reached by phone at (217) 524-9129 or by e-mail at [email protected].

REQUESTS SPECIALTY CROP GRANT PROPOSALS


Illinois Department of

Agriculture


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3HONIG - BELL

cbhonig-bell.comLOCAL SALES OFFICE

1957 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore815-756-2557

511 W. Main St., Genoa815-784-4582

HONIG - BELL

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magagDeKalb County

Limited Availability ... reserve your space today.

Contact your sales representive.

Lisa Angel at 815-756-4841 ext: 2236

OR email to: [email protected]

Bill Braksick at 815-756-4841 ext: 2216


Rob Dancey at 815-756-4841 ext: 2251


Dustin Davis at 815-756-4841 ext: 2263


Shawn Lowe at 815-756-4841 ext: 2225


Deadline Date: October 16th Mail Date: November 2013

DONT MISS OUT ON THE FALL EDITION OF


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3

Upcoming Programs

Four Seasons

SeriesGardening

Telenet

2013 Teleconference Series

Spruce Problems (Pest and Cultural Issues)

April 9 at 1 p.m. or April 11 at 6:30 p.m.Spruce generally are native to cooler regions and are adapted to cold conditions. They prefer full sun locations with acidic and well-drained soils. When exposed to unfavorable cultural or environmental conditions, spruce can become stressed and more susceptible to diseases and pests. This program will cover all the cultural, disease, insect, and spider mite problems that have been diagnosed at the University of Illinois Plant Clinic.

Pollinators and InsecticidesApril 23 at 1 p.m. or April 25 at 6:30 p.m.Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) continues to be a major problem for the honey bee, our most important pollinator. Species of bumble bees in California are dwindling in numbers and some may go extinct. Bumble bees in Illinois are being surveyed to determine whether there is a similar local problem. Although these and other threats to our pollinators appear to be caused by several factors, recent research point to some insecticides as being more than just a minor part of the problem. Non-technical summaries of this research will be presented along with other impacts to our insect pollinators and an overview of the various pollinators.

All About Tomatoes: Strategies for Controlling Common Pests & Disorders

May 7 at 1 p.m. or May 9 at 6:30 p.m.Although tomatoes are considered a garden favorite and easy to grow, tomatoes can succumb to a number of pests and environmental disorders that result in disappointment for the grower. In this session, participants will learn how to identify the most common tomato diseases and insect pests and how best to control them in a home garden setting. Nutritional disorders and other common environmentally-induced problems will be discussed as well.

Don’t Doubt the DroughtMay 21 at 1 p.m. or May 23 at 6:30 p.m.2012 was hot and dry – how will our landscapes respond in the years to come? This program will discuss growth expectations in 2013 on lawns, newly planted trees, shrubs, and evergreens. How will the drought impact our flowering plants such as perennials, flowering shrubs, and ornamental trees? What should we be looking for with established trees and what are some of the best management practices for helping our landscape plants recover.

The cost for each program is $5, or $16 for the entire series of four programs.



Is your family too busy to take a family vacation this summer? Does your family like to learn about new cultures? If so, University of Illinois 4-H has an opportunity for you to consider. Families have an opportunity to experience a different culture this summer without leaving their home. University of Illinois 4-H Youth Development is currently recruiting host families for 50 Japanese youth and their adult chaperons for an American homestay July 26 – August 22, 2013.

“This is a wonderful way to experience a new culture, while sharing about your own”, said Miriam Rosenbohm, Illinois 4-H Japanese Exchange Coordinator. Previous experience is not required as host families will participate in an orientation about the Japanese culture in preparation of the homestay.

The 4-H Japanese Exchange program enhances international, cross-cultural understanding between two cultures. This opportunity provides an avenue for families and youth to improve their communication skills, while increasing their international awareness and understanding.

The 4-H Japanese Exchange program consists of youth who are learning to speak English in language acquisition programs. Like 4-H clubs, the Japanese programs (LEX and LABO) meet monthly to help youth become more fluent in English and base their activities around the family unit.

Japanese youth, ranging in age from 12-17, are placed in an American family with a host brother or sister. These teenage international visitors are thrilled to be coming to the United States and look forward to learning from their new host brother/sister and their new family, while improving their ability to use the English language, said Rosenbohm.

To obtain more information visit:http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/international.cfm,

or contact Miriam Rosenbohm at: 309-697-4041, or at Miriam Rosenbohm ([email protected]).

4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for youth in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. In Illinois more than 200,000 youth participate in 4-H and the other youth programs of University of Illinois Extension. More than 25,500 youth and adult volunteers assist in the programming. For information about 4-H in Madison, Monroe OR St. Clair County call 344-4230 or 939-3434.

Through 4-HMaking theGlobal Connection



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