COMMODITIES AND MARKETING
*Calhoun, "Farmers Feed the Hungry" - The purpose of this program is to provide meat to feed the hungry in our county and to
tell the story of how grain farms and livestock farmers depend on each other to produce the meat. We gave away 196 pounds of
pork steak, hamburger and hot dogs to our local food bank. We do this the week before the 4th of July so the families can enjoy
the 4th with a picnic also. The food bank gets plenty of meat around Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas but not much in the
summer time. We have a livestock farmer and a grain farmer to deliver the meat. We take photos and place this in the local
paper and in our newsletter. We serve over 132 families. The funding for this program is made possible by the Illinois Corn
Marketing Board and the Commodities Committee. Commodities 80% IL Corn Marketing Board 20%
Brown, "Farm Bureau Ethanol Promotion" - Our Marketing Committee (10), including Young Leaders(3), Board of Directors (7),
and Women's Committee (3), partnered with the local FS (5), to do a Fuel Promotion Day promoting "Ethanol". We discounted
Ethanol and handed out literature that stated facts and benefits to using Ethanol. FFA Members were available to help pump fuel
and board members were on hand to answer any questions customers might have. Also, each customer enjoyed free food and
beverages from Pepsi, the local FS, and county farm bureau while attending this event. Soy crayons and suckers were donated by
Illinois Corn Growers Association and handed out along with Corn Ag Mags. Games of "Ethanol Jeopardy" and ring toss were
popular. Everyone enjoyed attending and learning new facts about Ethanol. We reached approximately 500 customers in a short
period of time.
Edwards, "You Grow It, You Should Use It" - In conjunction with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and four neighboring county
Farm Bureaus, we conducted an "You Grow It, You Should Use It" campaign. A full color, double sided, 5x7 mailer was sent to
every mailbox in all counties (22,292 mailboxes). The mailing featured the "You Grow It, You Should Use It" message and graphics
on one side. The other side featured general ethanol information, as well as the sponsors of the mailing. Extra flyers were also
printed and distributed at the county fair and other Farm Bureau programs. This campaign was successful in educating the public
about ethanol.
Massac, "Getting to the Bottom of Barefoot Trimming" - The local equine committee worked to get a local Barefoot Trimming
Specialist to do an informational program. Over 20 equine enthusiasts attended from over 7 counties to learn more about this
technique. The presentation was done via computer and the emphasis was on the importance of proper nutrition, environment,
then the actual trimming aspect. The information was given in a positive way that didn't push barefoot trimming but the
importance of why it could be beneficial. The specialist did explain that not all horses are candidates for this type of hoof
maintenance due to prior history or maybe just because of structural issues of the hoof. The point was stressed that wild horses
do not have feet trimmed and they have survived with very little hoof issues for 100's of years. Attendees left with a "saddlebag"
of information to further investigate Barefoot Trimming as a possible alternative to their current hoof care program.
Stark, "Watch Us Grow" - Corn fields are a common sighting in County. We know that corn is "really" tall, but just how tall does
it grow in one season? The CFB created a corn growth scale to put on display next to a member's corn field that is located
alongside of a county highway. The scale is 11ft tall and 8in wide. A banner was also designed and placed with the scale that
read, "Watch Us Grow" and included a corn graphic and the County Farm Bureau and County Young Farmers logos. The Young
Farmers Committee helped set up and tear down the scale and banner. It was on display from the time the corn was 2in tall to
the end of the growing season. Articles about and pictures of the scale were published in the county newspaper and the County
Farm Bureau quarterly newsletter. Hundreds of people drove by the scale during its three month display and many people
enjoyed keeping track of the corn's progress. The scale and banner served as an educational tool for the commodity and brought
positive attention to our industry.
*Piatt, "Ethanol Promotion" - Our Farm Bureau along with affiliated companies FS and Country Financial sponsored our 2nd
annual ethanol promotion and customer appreciation event. We had a booth set up where we handed out promotional materials
and myths versus fact flyers, from the IL Corn Growers, about ethanol. During the four hour event, we had FB board members
and FS employees pumping discounted fuel for patrons and turned the Fast Stop Express into a full service gas station. We
discounted E-85 to $1.85 per gallon and regular fuel was discounted $0.30 to $2.99 a gallon. We had 171 total customers
customers that used 2,099 gallons of regular fuel and 401 gallons of E-85. It was a huge success and we plan to do it again next
year.
Mercer, "Women's Marketing Workshop 101" - Our Marketing Committee teamed up with three other counties to sponsor a
Marketing Workshop for Women with Stewart-Peterson's Naomi Blohm. Blohm is a Market Advisor at Stewart-Peterson. Blohm put
on a day long, hands-on workshop that explained how cash marketing and futures & options can be implemented into a farm's
overall marketing program. The ladies who attended really enjoyed her because she broke down the "foreign language" of futures
and options into easy to understand English.
Perry, "Dairy Promotion" - As opposed to previous years’ grocery store promotions, this year our Marketing Committee worked
with the local radio station on a call-in contest to promote dairy. Once a day, for five days, our CFB ran a radio commercial that
included a fact about the dairy industry in our county and/or state. Following the brief fact, listeners were prompted to be the
first caller to receive a $20 gift certificate for Prairie Farms dairy items at a local grocery store. This proved to be a great
promotion for dairy products, and especially for our members that produce them. Our committee enjoyed the opportunity to
showcase the importance of dairy, as well as promote one of our affiliate companies.
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COMMODITIES & MARKETING (continued)
Richland, "Weekly Rain Reports" - The CFB provided a weekly rain report to the citizens of the county via the local daily
newspaper "Ag Page" on every Tuesday edition, local radio station, our website, and Facebook page from April 1st until August
31st. Each of the 9 Board Members reported their Township rainfall totals to the CFB staff once per week and the weekly,
monthly, season-wide, and annual totals were compiled and provided to the media and on our personal website and Facebook
page. Newspaper circulation is 3,650 daily; local radio station reaches around 2,500 daily; meeting the need to provide members
with more information.
Wabash, "Irrigation Reporting Program" - Beginning in 2015, owners of high-capacity water wells that are used for agriculture
need to report their usage to the Illinois State Water Survey. This reporting requirement creates a lot of concerns for farmers, as
they value their confidentiality. The state water well database is considered public information, and thus the water use data
would also be considered public. We worked with Illinois Farm Bureau's Lauren Lurkins and Laura Harmon on the issue. We
developed an aggregation reporting plan for our county, and presented it to the Illinois State Water Survey. We also worked with
our local SWCD representative to insure they were in support of our actions and plans. After consultation with ISWS, we
compromised on a plan. We sent a letter to irrigators in our county with information about the new reporting requirement,
registration of their wells, sample record sheets, and information about aggregation. We plan to hold a county-wide aggregation
meeting after harvest, where irrigators can meet to compile their data before submission to the state. It may take a few years
for farmers to comply, but we are hopeful that we can play a role in protecting their sensitive information.
White, "Countywide Yield Survey" - A crop survey provides valuable information to area farmers, elevators, banks, etc., about
the size and condition of this year’s local crop in a time frame that makes the information useful in marketing decisions. This is
why the marketing committee decided to work with a local grain company and our FS cooperative to conduct a countywide
survey of the corn crop. This was the 19th year for the event. Volunteers divided up into teams of 2 or 3 persons with each team
assigned to a particular township. Each team visits 10 different fields on a random basis, with one sample taken per field. They
take measurements for grain length, kernel rows, ear population, ear-to-stalk ratio, stalks in 60’, ears in 60’, rows spacing, plant
population, and ear populations. Following the tour, results are compiled and lunch is served. The crop tour itself was very
successful and had participation of 24 volunteers including farmers, bankers, and agribusiness leaders. We publicized the results
in area newspapers, area radio stations, in our county publication, and on our Facebook fan page. The complete survey report is
available to the public on our county Farm Bureau website.
*Logan, " Ag Flavors - A Taste of County Agriculture" - Our Ag Flavors event provided area consumers the opportunity to taste
meat samples of beef, pork, and goat, along with pastries, honey and pumpkins, all grown and produced by local farmers. Seven
different vendors showcased their products, provided samples, and talked with consumers about how their products were grown
and produced. Two of the vendors included live animals, a dairy calf and goats, providing consumers with the opportunity to
interact with and see them first hand. Corn and soybeans were highlighted in the Farm Bureau Board tent and nine board
members were on hand to talk with consumers about growing grain crops on their farms, and the benefits of being a Farm Bureau
member. Local FFA youth attended the event to promote and answer questions about the FFA organizations in our County. This
year’s event was coordinated with our County Alliance and their downtown weekend promotional event “Pigs and Swigs
Festival”, which featured a BBQ contest, craft beers, flea market, craft fair and an antique car show. Ag Flavors was located in
the adjacent parking lot of the Farm Bureau building, which allowed consumers to visit all the vendors in one location. McLean
County Farm Bureau’s Mobile Ag Education Trailer, “Food & Farm Discovery Zone” was available to children and adults attending
our event, to see corn harvested from the driver’s seat in a combine cab simulator and learn the importance of family farms.
Children also enjoyed the experience of milking a simulated cow. Nine agricultural business provided sponsorship of our event,
which allowed funding for advertising and promotion, and rental of the educational trailer. Our County Alliance also included our
event in their promotional brochure, advertising, and event catalog for the “Pigs and Swigs Festival”. Locally, we advertised our
event through printed flyers, email contact, radio stations, newspapers (printed and online) and television stations. The three
agricultural equipment dealers provided a combine, tractor and sprayer unit, and a utility vehicle so that consumers could
visualize the size of modern equipment used on farms today. Our event was successful in reaching consumers who attended the
downtown weekend festival activities. Our location in the adjacent parking lot may need to be reviewed and located in front of
the Farm Bureau building in another year, to gain more visual access. Those who attended were very receptive to meeting local
farmers, talking with them about how their crops and livestock are being raised, eating food products grown and produced
locally and learning the dedication farmers have and measures they take to assure consumers that the food they produce is
wholesome and safe.
Carroll, "Value of Corn in Livestock Feed" - This annual program is now on its fourth year and continues to thrive. The
committee came up with the idea to promote the value of corn in livestock feed when the grant notice came out from the Illinois
Corn Marketing Board. They researched and calculated at current corn prices what the value of corn is in a quarter pound
hamburger. We know rations vary, but we came up with 15 cents of corn when prices are $7.50 in that one burger. The event
was promoted in the local papers and our office sign. The ladies promote the program, line up the burgers, along with contacting
the Young Leaders to do the grilling. On the day of the event, the ladies show up to assemble the burgers, take orders, and work
the cashier portion of the stand. They put up signs explaining what the program is about. In an hour and a half we sold over 280
burgers. We received great feedback from the program from both our corn and livestock producers, along with consumers who
were lead to believe that corn was driving up meat prices.
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COMMODITIES & MARKETING (continued)
Fulton, "Pork Cookoff Contest" - Sponsored by our Women's Committee on last day of our County Fair. Contestants prepared dish
consisting of at least 1/3 pork ahead of time & brought to be judged. Judging based on taste, appearance, ease of prep &
availability of ingredients. Panel of 3 judges included recently crowned Fair Queen, a farmer, and the director of fair
association. First prize was $75.00, 2nd was $50.00, & 3rd was $25.00. A “People’s Choice” award was also given. We had 3
contestants. Taste samples were distributed to 30-some fair-goers watching the contest. Recipes were copied & distributed to
those in the audience, & printed in our one daily newspaper in county & our publication. Contestants received a participant gift.
Promoted pork products. Reached a total potential of 10,000 consumers through publicity. $175 total cost to us.
Hancock, "Insuring Your Farm, Family and Future" - Our YL Committee worked with our COUNTRY Financial Agents in our
county to sponsor a series of three financial planning meetings, all targeted towards young farmers in our county. This series of
mini-sessions focused on topics that we felt would help young farmers ensure the success of their individual farming operations,
both now and in the future. During the first mini-session, "Insuring Your Farm," one of our local agents led a discussion on what
young farmers should know to make sure their property, equipment, and crops are adequately insured. During the second minisession, "Insuring Your Family," one of our local agents presented information on the basics of life, disability and long term care
insurance. Participants had the opportunity to complete individualized worksheets to assist them with calculating the amount of
life insurance that they should consider. During the third mini-session, "Insuring Your Future," one of our local agents discussed
basic investment products and strategies in order to help young farmers and their families prepare for financial stability in the
future. He emphasized the importance of saving at an early age. All mini-sessions were held at a local winery and included a
brief presentation by a local COUNTRY agent, followed by ample time for informal Q & A. A meal was provided, free of charge,
at each session. At least county 4 agents were present at each session to assist with answering individual questions. Our CFB and
COUNTRY agents received numerous comments on these sessions. One participant emailed our CFB manager following one of the
sessions to give a specific example of how the first session helped her to make changes to her insurance policy to better reflect
her current living situation. The financial planning series was also featured in our county newspaper and on our local radio
station. Expenses for the sessions were split between county agents and our CFB.
Warren-Henderson, "Flag the Technology" - We felt that there needed to be some way to ensure that crops didn't get sprayed
with the wrong the things. We heard about a program that was being done in Arkansas where farmers could use different colored
flags to identify herbicide traits in field crops, so we decided to try it here. We talked with area fertilizer companies and seed
dealers about the program and they thought it sounded like a simple and effective system for identifying herbicides traits in
fields. The objective of the program is to reduce herbicide application errors and to foster good community relations. The flag
technology is a quick and inexpensive method of preventing the misapplication of pesticides and warn of crops that are sensitive
to potential off-target drift. Color-coded, pennant shaped flags that represent a particular herbicide trait/technology are placed
at the field entrance or in a conspicuous location in the field. The red flag denotes a conventional crop; white denotes round-up
ready, glyphosate tolerant crop; bright green denotes Liberty Link; black & white checker board denotes RR Xtend dicamba
resistant trait soybeans; Teal denotes Enlist 2,4-D and FOP tolerant soybeans. We gave flags out to farmers free of charge as well
as to seed dealers, and custom applicators who requested them. We had charts made up showing the different colored flags with
an explanation beside it telling what that color represented. We put it on heavy card stock with a nice finish so that it would
hold up. We made sure that all the custom applicators, fertilizer companies and aerial application companies had the charts we
had made showing the different color of flags and what they represent.
*Kankakee, "Creation of Food Hub / Farmers Co-op" - The County Farm Bureau along with Cynthia Haskins of IFB assisted a
coalition which includes local minority farmers in creating a food hub in an impoverished area of our county. This will be similar
to a packing house or a farmers co-op where farmers will bring the produce they have grown and it will be aggregated, cleaned,
sorted, packaged and marketed together. This is not a food pantry. This may be the first of its kind in the country where an
elementary school is turned into a food hub during the summer months when students are not present. The group received a
$100,000 grant in Sept 2014 from the Ag Marketing Service of the USDA to assist in these efforts. The Farm Bureau is providing
guidance and local support in establishing this food hub. At the Aug 3, 2015 ribbon cutting, the County Farm Bureau provided a
message of support prior to remarks from our US Congresswoman and State Senator giving their support of the project. Media
coverage at the ribbon cutting was expensive with a front page article in the local newspaper featuring a photo of FB
representative and US Congresswoman discussing the food hub. In their first year, they aggregated a small amount of produce
due to the wet spring weather (30 inches of rain in June) that rotted or drowned out many of the vegetables and other specialty
crops in our area. Their goal is to have 50 farmers with 5 acres each. We will continue working with the group towards their
successful support of area farmers.
Bureau, "Lady Landowner Resource Guide" - Lady Landowners within the county expressed a lack of knowledge of where to go
when they had questions dealing with their farming operation. Representatives from Farm Bureau, SWCD, NRCS, FSA, Extension,
FS and a local agriculture company compiled an informational resource guide. Within the resource guide each organization was
given one page to identify itself and explain how they can help landowners with their questions. This contained easy to read
bullet points of subject areas. Each lady landowner attending the spring seminar received a resource guide. Additional copies
were printed to hand out as needed. These have come in quite handy when ladies review information and are looking for a place
to ask for help.
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COMMODITIES & MARKETING (continued)
Cass-Morgan, "Hamburger Cook-Off" - During a community celebration event, the committee put together a hamburger cookoff. The idea was to blend the beef producer and corn grower relationship and be present in front of a large non-farming
audience. The big display table, banners, and posters included beef and meat information, nutritional value information, fact
sheets on animal treatment, pictures of cuts of meat, and AITC materials. The meat used for competitors was from a local meat
locker and donated by the local beef producers group. The local beef producers were also available to help and answer questions
from the general public. The original date was changed due to rain, so we lost a few teams but we ended up having 7 teams with
400 spectators. Spectators participated by voting in the "People's Choice" category. There, they were able to donated money in
team jars and whoever had the most money collected by the end of the night won that category. Winners of "People's Choice",
"Best Burger" & "Best Side Dish" all won a trophy and cash prize. Next year we anticipate an even larger turnout. Entry fees for
the competition and "People's Choice" money was collected and donated to the food pantry to buy meat.
Henry, "County Farm Bill Meetings" - Farm Bureau joined with our county Farm Service Agency to host a series of Farm Bill
Meetings. We began the series with a large countywide meeting, with 80 attending, featuring Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau.
We continued the informational meetings by hosting an additional five meetings (with a total of over 150 attending) in various
parts of the county to give yet another opportunity to hear the information concerning the new Farm Bill. The meetings were
focused on updating farm operators and owners on changes in FSA programs resulting from the 2014 Farm Bill. The meetings
included information on updating base and yield information along with the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss
Coverage (PLC) programs. By holding these smaller, more frequent meetings, we believe that farmers and decision makers had a
much better opportunity to ask questions. Our FSA director was the featured speaker at each meeting and did a great job of
using county specific facts and figures to help our farmers make the best choices.
Livingston, "Continuing the Legacy of the Family Farm” - with Dr. Ron Hanson - It is crucial to plan for the future. The Young
Leaders felt that it is crucial for their generation to start talking about what will happen with the succession of the family farm.
The group worked nearly two years to plan and implement a night with Dr. Ron Hanson, a professor at the University of
Nebraska. Dr. Hanson's own family has seen what can happen when there is a family dispute and no plan for succession in place.
He came to a local venue to speak with an audience of 200+. With dads and sons, mothers and daughters in the audience, he told
personal stories and clients' stories that he has worked with about what can go wrong if we don't plan today for tomorrow. He
does not try to sell anything, simply gets people thinking about what is best for their family farm and encourages them to talk
with lawyers, insurance representation, etc. The committee served a complimentary meal before the presentation. With an
overwhelming amount of positive feedback from the event, the committee plans to bring in another speaker in the near future.
Montgomery, "Corn and Soybean Plots" - All 12 members of the Young Leaders approved this project that was developed by 4
committee members. Again this year the group decided to put in a corn and soybean plot on one of the Young Leader’s farms
along a major interstate. To showcase the plot, the group had a local sign company make a white 4’ X 8’ sign that they placed in
front of the plot. The committee wrote the rules for the plot. Twenty Four (24) different hybrids were used in the corn plot
along with 22 varieties in the soybean plot. All companies involved could submit two hybrids each in the corn and bean plots. The
seed companies were charged $75.00 to place two hybrids in the plot; thus, allowing the Young Leaders to make some money.
The Young Leaders arranged for the seed to be delivered in a timely manner and then they helped place the seed in the planter
and cleaned out the planter at the end row for the next variety of seed. It took one day to plant the corn plot and later in the
spring another day to plant the bean plot. The U of I Extension then did an insect survey all summer on the plot. Monthly reports
concerning the growth and maturation were then placed on the FB County’s website all summer long. The corn and soybean plots
will be harvested and the results listed on the FB County’s website and in local newspapers. The Young Leaders will use the funds
to support projects for the new year.
*Cook, "Urban Garden Grant Initiative" - PLANNING: Our Commodities/Marketing Team of 12 volunteers and staff developed an
action plan, budget, assignments and promotion for the project. INTENT: Our Team wanted to connect gardeners with area
greenhouse farmers for increased plant/material sales. With huge increased interest in urban community gardens, opportunities
for local farmers abound to supply plants and other farm services. Team members established guidelines/standards/needs for
this grant program with the grant dollars designed to "drive" the purchasers of the urban gardens plants and materials to our local
farmers grant program’s availability. The Team promoted the grant program availability through several area listservs and other
social media.The program effectively broadened public awareness of local member farm markets which created a new awareness
of agriculture which helped to strengthen the local farm economy. We paired the garden with a local Master Gardener to provide
technical advise/support during the growing season. IMPACT/NEEDS MET: 25 garden projects submitted grant applications to our
3 member volunteer review committee and five $300 grants were selected/provided to urban garden to make farm stand garden
center purchases. Farm Bureau "sponsored" garden signs were placed by volunteers at each of the 5 urban gardens making all
associated with it aware of the Farm Bureau's role. This initiative drove new Consumers to area farmers and led to farm stands
partnering directly with urban gardens and their members/supporters for plant sales, materials and growing advice. These
gardens were in inner city areas which connected a new and diverse audience to our organization.
DuPage, "Farmers Market Directory" - Community members continue to seek local Farmers Market within the county to buy
their local produce. Each year, a directory is assembled with the contact information for all of the local farmers market in the
county and is made available to members and the public. The directory helps area farmers market their products and assists
consumers in obtaining contact information. 1000 directories were distributed at the County Fair, Farmers Markets, farm stands,
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COMMODITIES & MARKETING (continued)
and the Farm Bureau Office. In addition, the guide was printed in our paper for 3 months, reaching over 48,000 individuals. 7
committee members
Kane, "Specialty Products - Farms Features" - Sept ‘14 – Aug ‘15 To build demand for local farm products, CFB writes features
on specialty crops, nurseries, farm stands and roadside markets. Stories are produced about crops and farmers that cater directly
to the public. These stories, featured in our CFB publication to 16,000 members and sent to local media help increase sales of
farm products at these locations and lets members and public know about local options for farm products. Included were
features, information and advertising for: Beef (Sept-Aug) Apple Orchards (October, 3 farms); Pumpkin farms (October, 12
farms); Turkeys (November) Christmas Trees (November & December, 10 farms); Farmer’s Markets (June & August, 12 markets)
and fruits & vegetables (July, 19 farms). These complement our members Market Development activities and are much
appreciated by the farms that grow specialty products and raise and market livestock direct to consumers.
McHenry, "Foodshed Coop" - Our CFB helped a local foods initiative with mailings, supporting grant letters and meeting space.
The initiative's long term goal is to feature local foods at their community-owned grocery store. The coop has networked with
area farmers, acquired 300 members and obtained a $20,000 USDA grant. The USDA funds will assist with a market study,
financial analysis and preliminary store design.
Winnebago-Boone, "Farm Breakfast" - 14 members of the Farm Breakfast Committee planned the menu for the day, which
consisted of pancakes, whole hog sausage, applesauce, milk and ice cream; contacted crafters; organized approximately 100
additional volunteers; and contacted local businesses for additional contributions. The committee also lined up the farm
location- a local dairy goat operation, goat cheese samples, horse drawn wagon rides, an antique tractor display, Model T car
display, children’s games, a craft show, petting zoo, and a cow mascot. New this year was an activity booth from a local
children's museum, a model train exhibit and live music provided by local talent. Several media outlets were informed of the
event and ads were placed promoting the event. Brochures were printed and passed out to the local businesses. The committee
placed signs on strategic roads and at major intersections. The committee worked with different dairy businesses to get the milk
and ice cream donated. Our volunteers stepped up to the plate to feed over 1400 people breakfast. This event helps the FB
reach a large number of consumers and provides an opportunity for consumers to see, smell, touch, and taste agriculture,
primarily the dairy industry. The proceeds are donated to the CFB Foundation. This event raised over $5,000.
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