report

Doug Downs, President

Your membership in the Champaign County Farm Bureau holds a lot of value. You’ve heard this time and again and will probably hear it some more. As always, remember our partners in the area who offer goods and services at a discount. Discounts are a nice benefit, but have you also seen the list of informational meetings that have taken and are still taking place this summer which are put on by the Champaign County Farm Bureau? We recently had a wind and solar meeting where 100 people packed the room for 90 minutes of incredible free information from 3 experts. Putting a price tag on that information isn’t possible, but it’s all part of your membership benefits. If you have a neighbor, or friend, whom you know is not a member, you might mention that to them. This is the time of year when we focus on bringing in new members and reaching out to those who may not understand all the value associated with membership.

We also have a new group that has just started meeting and its focus is on the professional side of ag. It’s called “Agri link”. Watch for the times and meeting dates in the Monday morning email update. This group is focused on ag professionals in the area and is meant to connect professionals in ag services with others who can also add value to our farm bureau with their unique perspectives. If you are a professional in an ag field or ag educational field who would like to connect with other like-minded folks, this is the group for you. It’s starting out as a relaxed atmosphere for networking with a short presentation from a host ag business and has really flourished. With the ag retail business, machinery dealers, and university researchers in the county we feel this is an area where ag professionals can team up with us. There is strength in numbers and we can all benefit each other.

On another note, if you have a garden, you probably have tomatoes coming out of your ears and wonder what you’re going to do with all that zucchini and cucumbers. It’s a shame that a lot of those gardens over produce and likely a lot goes to waste. If you have the ability to get things picked up, please check with a local food pantry to see if they can take it. There are a couple churches with pantries in my area struggling to fill the need and this is the time of year we can make a difference. Not only in the garden, but even the feedlot. If your selling freezer beef or butcher hogs and have an “unclaimed” quarter or two, those food pantries can use it. Keep that in mind and maybe help out some who are struggling with the most basic of needs.

Sincerely,
Doug Downs

Doug Downs, President

The days are finally getting shorter. Not something I would have said when I was younger, let alone get excited about. It gives me a chance to reflect on everything that’s happened this spring. And what a whirlwind spring it was. It could have been worse, has been worse, and probably will be way worse in the future. From someone who is “solar powered” like me (I work as long as the sun is shining) the shortening days are a reminder that there’s a lot to get ready for before harvest….which is right around the corner.

I was pleasantly surprised to have a member stop me the other day and said he always reads my article. I wasn’t sure anyone read it. But it’s nice to know you do. We are currently discussing the future direction of this monthly publication. The costs associated are getting very high, but we are looking at other ways of offsetting that cost. We are also looking at other delivery methods such as electronic versions. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact the office with your feedback.

If you are currently getting this newsletter and are NOT getting the Monday morning email update, please call the office to get your name on the list. That Monday morning update is full of content and has electronic links to many other things with just the click or tap of a button. Plus it’s fresh news. Don’t miss it. If you’re skimming over it, I challenge you to take the time to open it every Monday and read through it. I promise you there is something in there you are interested in or news you need to know and you don’t want to miss it.

Please check out the calendar for the meetings we have scheduled the rest of the summer. A lot of valuable information will be available with a chance to ask some very knowledgeable people questions regarding a lot of hot topics facing all of us. Plus you may get a better grasp on things you may not know a lot about, but always wanted to. It’s one more way your farm bureau membership equates to real value.

Sincerely,
Doug Downs

Doug Downs, President

I hope by the time you read this that planting season is well behind you. As I write this (5-15 on a rain delay) I’m almost wrapped up but it’s been more of a challenge than I’ve had in several years. If you remember, back in the April newsletter, I encouraged everyone to have patience and also stated I’d be the first to not follow my own advice………. and I certainly didn’t follow my own advice. Sometimes it’s not realistic to wait for absolute perfect conditions and this season proved that. Although I’m not proud of some of the conditions I planted in the first week of May, there have been enough little rains to forgive those sins. If I had to guess by the looks of the earliest planted crops in my area, we are off to a great start, where I’m at.

You will notice, in this issue, that the calendar of events is really growing for this summer season. CCFB staff has put together and will be in attendance at several events this summer. There will be a burger bash near you, tool shed meetings, several informational meetings with local officials and of course the local fairs.

It should also be mentioned that all of you are welcome to join us once a month at the governmental affairs morning meeting. This is a chance for you to interact with local officials and hear what’s going on from a special guest official. The meeting lasts about 90 minutes and has breakfast. Make sure to check out the Monday morning emails as well, as they have the most recent updates. There is something new almost every week.

Sincerely,
Doug Downs