Question of the Month

Co-Operator
official publication of the Cook County Farm Bureau
A “staple” in the Farm Bureau member’s home since 1938
Mission: To serve all members of the Cook County Farm Bureau with meaningful
and beneficial programs that reflect our Agricultural Heritage.
Vol. 83 No. 3 Countryside, IL 60525
www.cookcfb.org
March 2009
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Income Tax Service Offered Through Farm Bureau
The Cook County Farm Bureau will again be
offering income tax preparation services for members
as a benefit in 2009. As members consider their
income taxes, the Professional Tax Service available
through the Cook County Farm Bureau is an attractive
program that members will want to use.
The Cook County Farm Bureau has enlisted the
expertise and talents of our affiliated company, the
Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association (IAAA), to
offer the service.
We have set up dates and times at three locations
throughout Cook County. Please call the Farm Bureau
office at 708.354.3276 to schedule your appointment
at any of these locations.
Question of
the Month
February’s winner for the
What does the
word “corn”
refer to in
Corned Beef?
Call the Farm Bureau at 708.354.3276 by March 16th with
the answer for a chance to enter a drawing for a $25.00 gas
card.
Cook County Farm Bureau
6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
April 7
Schaumburg Country Financial
2435 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194
Mar 5, 12, 19, 26
April 8
South Holland Country Financial
4845 167th St., Oak Forest, IL 60452
March 4, 11, 18, 25
April 9
Question of the Month
is James Breen.
He will be receiving a $25.00 gas card.
The trivia question last
month was: How many
calories are in a teaspoon
of honey?
Answer: 21 calories.
On February 18, 2009 the Cook County Farm Bureau and Ronald McDonald House Charities®Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) celebrated Food Check-Out Week with a
shopping spree and other events. Pictured from left to right: Captain Cornelius (Tim Stuenkel),
CEO of (RMHC®-CNI) Doug Porter, President of Cook County Farm Bureau Jim Brandau,
and Ronald McDonald. Please see the Ag Literacy Page (page 6) for more of the day’s events.
Last
h
C ance
2009 Foundation
Scholarship Applications
Now Being Accepted
The Cook County Farm Bureau
Foundation’s
Scholarship
Program continues to grow each
year as the number of applicants
increase. “Our members are
realizing that an agricultural
career provides broad and
exciting possibilities” explains Jim
Brandau, Foundation President.
And what is an agricultural
career? It is a chosen pursuit
or profession related to the
broad area of producing,
marketing,
manufacturing,
transporting, studying, teaching,
and developing food, fiber,
fuel and pharmacy products
originating from the farm.
Examples of agricultural careers
include horticulturist, food
scientist, animal nutritionist,
genetic engineering, farmer,
veterinarian,
commodity
broker, dietitian, turf producer,
agricultural engineer and the
list goes on and on. Perhaps
you may wish to check out the
broad and rewarding possibilities
with one out of every four jobs
in the United States related to
agriculture.
The Cook County Farm
Bureau Foundation is offering
college students the opportunity
to start or continue his/her higher
education with a scholarship.
Continued on Page 8.
Last Chance Scholarship pg 1 and 8
Internship still open pg 8
Income Tax Service pg 1
Fresh Fruit/Veg Recipe Submissions pg 8
Co-Operator March 2009
2
Cook County Farm Bureau
Destination: Chicago Botanic Garden
In a month—March—where
it’s popular to don green apparel,
the appearance of green is pretty
much limited to that very ritual.
When you look outside your
window in March, there’s little
green to be seen, as brown and
yellow landscaping and foliage
dominates. That is, unless you take
an excursion to a local conservatory
or botanic garden.
One such destination is The
Chicago Botanic Garden. The
Garden, with its world-renowned
plant collections and displays, is
one of the country’s most visited
public gardens and a preeminent
center for learning and scientific
research. The 385-acre garden,
which is open to the public yearround for free, features 23 display
gardens and three native habitats,
situated on nine islands surrounded
by lakes. Quite accessible, the
garden is located at 1000 Lake
Cook Rd. in north suburban
Glencoe, approximately 20 miles
north of Chicago.
Indeed, as winter’s grip on
people intensifies with each passing
month, most folks are eager to shed
cabin fever for some spring rebirth
and renewal of the spirit. A stroll
around the Garden in the winter
months reveals the quiet beauty of
the winter landscape. Evergreens,
ornamental grasses, berries and bark
can provide interest even on dull,
cloudy days. Red-twig dogwood,
the green-stemmed Japanese kerria
and yellow willow branches really
stand out at this time of year.
According to the Chicago
Botanic Garden website, “if the
weather is cold, falling snow will
bring its own serene beauty as it
turns vistas into picture-postcard
scenes. Visitors can take a walk
along the east road or around the
Great Basin for serene views of
the ice-covered lakes. When one
needs to warm up, they can take
a quick trip to the tropics in the
Greenhouses.” Three greenhouses
are available for visitors: Arid,
Tropical and Semi-tropical.
Throughout March, the Garden
is offering visitors several programs
to help warm the cockles of their
hearts “The American Flower
Show Series,” which is a growing
national horticultural program,
brings together amateur and expert
gardeners and educators by offering
floral exhibits and programs that
focus on America’s favorite flower
groups. Plant societies involved
in the American Flower Show
Series host experts speaking on
various topics during a free public
lecture series that occurs weekly
on Sunday afternoons, concluding
March 29. Lectures begin at 2
p.m. in the Fairchild Room of the
Regenstein Center.
The Garden also offers
Weekend
Family
Classes,
complete with hands-on educational
family activities. Classes are
on Saturdays through April 11,
and offer families a chance to
learn about plants in relation to
science, art, history and culture,
and experience opportunities to
bring the garden home. Classes
are from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
or from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in
the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable
Garden Classroom, and include a
variety of hands-on activities and
projects for children, accompanied
by an adult. Programs are designed
for families with children ages
4-10. Two themes include:
March 14 – Japanese Dry
Gardens: Discover the beauty of
Japanese art, culture and gardens by
making some traditional Japanese
crafts. Design your own miniature
dry garden using sand and rocks
that you can change every day.
March 21 and 28 – Natural Fabric
Dyeing: Many different plant parts,
from fruit, leaves, stems, roots
and seeds, can turn fabric into a
rainbow of colors. Learn about the
dyeing process, experiment with
a variety of natural dyes, pot up
a traditional dye plant and color a
bandana to take home.
The Chicago Botanic Garden
has also paid homage to agriculture
and the farm through its “Green
Youth Farm” program. Now in
its seventh year, the program
has taught students all aspects of
organic farming—from planting
seeds and starts, to managing
a hive of bees, to cooking with
the food they grow and selling
it at farm stands and markets.
What began in 2003 as a pilot
program on a one-acre plot in
the Greenbelt Forest Preserve has
“now become
a full-fledged youth development
program that has mentored nearly
100 students with activities ranging
from art workshops to teambuilding
exercises,” according to a program
description.
According to Julie McCaffrey,
Senior Media Relations Specialist
at Chicago Botanic Garden, the
goals of the Green Youth Farm
are to teach students the value of
healthy, local food and hard work
and to expose them to careers
in the rapidly growing “green
industry.” McCaffrey said that
the youth sell their produce at
Chicago Botanic Garden Farmer’s
Markets, which run the first
and third Sundays from June 7
through Oct. 18 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
The Green Youth Farm
is run by the Chicago Botanic
Garden in collaboration with Lake
County Forest Preserve District,
Neighborhood Housing Services
of Chicago, NeighborSpace and
Umoja Student Development
Corporation.
The Chicago Botanic Garden
can be reached by phone at
847/835-5440, or people can visit
its website at www.chicagobotanic.
org
Editors Note
Dear Reader,
You receive the “Cooperator” because you or a family member is
a Farm Bureau member. Our farm owners and operators, as members,
benefit from a local, state and national organization committed to a
strong and productive agricultural way of life.
Members, without direct ties to farming, help to promote a
strong local and regional farming lifestyle, encourage wise use of our
limited natural resources, and help preserve our farming heritage. In
addition, members are provided the opportunity to enjoy Country
Insurance and access to the many other benefits provided by Cook
County Farm Bureau.
Thank you for your membership and continued support. We
welcome member input on content including suggestions of farm,
home, food, natural resource, renewable energy, agricultural heritage
and farm history for future issues.
Bob Rohrer, Editor
Co-Operator
published monthly
Cook County Farm Bureau
6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
(ph) 708-354-3276 (fax) 708-579-6056
(e-mail) [email protected] (website) www.cookcfb.org
USPS No 132180
Periodical Postage Paid at LaGrange, IL 60525 & additional mailing office
Editor
Bob Rohrer
Officers & Directors
James Brandau, President
Larry Paarlberg, Vice President
Jim Gutzmer, Secretary-Treasurer
Dan Biernacki
Cliff Harms
Patrick Horcher
Gerald Kopping
Harold Stuenkel
Mark Yunker
Michael Horcher
Michael Rauch
Donald Zeldenrust
Farm Bureau Manager
Bob Rohrer
Office Staff
Peggy Burns
Bona Heinsohn
Linda Tobias
Haley Loy
Jill Kuehn
Bob Heine
Melanie Paffumi
Katie Smith
Debbie Voltz
Affiliated Companies
Gerald Anderson .................... Insurance Agency Manager, Rolling Meadows
Manny Amezcua ..........................Insurance Agency Manager, Chicago South
Joseph Gergely ............................. Insurance Agency Manager, South Holland
Mike Goss .........................Insurance Agency Manager, Glenview/Park Ridge
Victoria Nygren ........................... Insurance Agency Manager, Chicago North
Jeff Orman ................ Insurance Agency Manager, Countryside-East DuPage
Jack Smith....................................... Insurance Agency Manager, Schaumburg
Cary Tate ..........................................Insurance Agency Manager, Orland Park
Dave Mottet ......................................................General Manager, Conserv FS
Postmaster - Mail Form 3579 to 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
“Co-Operator” (USPS No 132180) is published monthly as a membership publication
for $2.50 per year to members as a part of their annual membership dues by Cook
County Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525. Periodical postage paid
at LaGrange, IL and additional mailing office. Postmaster: send address changes to the
Co-Operator, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525.
Co-Operator March 2009
3
Cook County Farm Bureau
Downwind
by Bob Rohrer, Manager
• When a society determines
“looks” are more important than
“words” and “words” are more
important than actions.
The past several months have
certainly been interesting. The
mood of people I know is not rosy
for the most part. And I find that
my usual optimism for the day is
being constantly hammered by
the latest news of the recession,
job cuts, stimulus pork and Wall
Street reactions.
That got me thinking. When
do we say “Uncle”; When do we
“give” up; When has the world
come officially to an end? Is it…
• When the private sector is
cutting jobs and government is
ramping up employment???
• When local and state
government spends borrowed
money months before it arrives
(or is even approved)???
• When the stock market
plummets every time the
President and Treasury Secretary
speak about how they will fix the
economy???
• When a “Green” label
becomes more important than
common sense???
• When gambling money and
lottery tickets are considered wise
and safe investments???
• When environmental nut
jobs and academic pencil jockeys
teach the public how to “farm”
and farmers “learn” they don’t
farm correctly???
• When carbon becomes a
swear word???
• When government raises
taxes to punish the successful???
If the above are the indicators
that all is lost, then perhaps we
should say “Uncle” because it is
happening. All must be lost…
But Americans are a bit more
resilient than that.
We have been through some
much tougher times. We’ve been
through:
• A Revolution (and won)
• A Civil War (and won)
• Assassinations (and won)
• 2 World Wars (and won)
• A Great Depression (and
won)
• A Cold War (and won)
• Earthquakes, Hurricanes,
Floods, Tornadoes, Fires, Drought
and worse (and won)
• The internal conflict of
slavery, race relations and human
rights (and won)
There has been excruciating
pain, sorrow, distress, sacrifice
and grief. There has been loss
of life, loss of limb, and loss of
souls.
But America had not lost its
collective soul. And this Country’s
soul is a generous combination
of kindness, patriotism, freedom,
spirit, pioneerism, religious
inspiration and humanity.
And thus, it won’t be a
President, or Congress or another
Country that “fixes” the economy.
It will be the American people,
filled with American soul, that
“wins” this latest battle through
Associate members recently received their second edition of the
newly upgraded publication, PARTNERS magazine. The glossy, 32-page
magazine has a wealth of information on food, agricultural attractions,
farming technology, gardening, recipes, membership benefits, and more.
Colorful photos and facts blend into a very readable format.
AND, PARTNERS offers an added bonus… A companion website,
which expands the connections and provides bonus features. Checkout
the new possibilities at www.ilfbpartners.com.
The PARTNERS magazine is a quarterly publication which
Associate members receive as a courtesy for belonging to Cook County
Farm Bureau.
optimism, innovation, inspiration,
and hard work. (Sounds like a
definition of a farmer!) It’s time
to pull up your boots, limber up,
and get crackin’. We, the people,
have a country to save.
***
The Post Office loves
mothers more than fathers. After
a first quarter loss of $384 million,
the US Postal Service announced
a 2 cent increase in the price of
first class stamps to 44 cents.
They are making the increase
effective on May 11th, the day
after Mother’s Day. Therefore,
all of the tens of thousands of
cards sent from adoring sons and
daughters to kindly mothers will
carry the cheaper postage rate.
However, the rate increase will
be present for Father’s Day on
June 21st. I can only conclude
that the Postmaster General has
negativity regarding fathers.
***
So far, this has not been a
very funny column. Recessions
have that effect on people, I
suppose. However, I’m a believer
in humor helping to bring people
through tough times. Therefore,
here are a few funnies to help beat
the depression which the media
want you to face…
• A few months ago, I called the
toll-free number of the company
which manufactured my fly rod
to get repaired (I broke it in
the Tongue River in Wyoming.)
When dialing the toll-free
number, my finger automatically
punched 1-800-xxx-xxxx. My
face turned an immediate flushed
red color when this husky voiced
woman answered talking naughty
stuff. OOOPS. Either I should
have dialed 1-866 or my fishing
company was offering extra
services.
• A friend of mine told me
a joke recently. Q: What did the
dung beetle order at the drive up? A:
#2. I found it funny and even my
kids laughed when I told them.
• If you don’t like that one,
here’s a farm related joke. Q:
What do you call a cow with no
legs? A: Ground Beef. (I didn’t say
it was a good joke.)
Keep smiling, I feel better
already!
Contact Information:
Cook County Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
708-354-3276
708-579-6056 Fax
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.cookcfb.org
Your South Holland Agency
4845 W. 167th Street • Oak Forest, IL 60452 • 708-560-7777
Joseph Gergely
Agency Manager
708-560-7777
Harvey Anderson
708-239-0111
Alsip
Edwin Castillo
708-239-0111
Alsip
Kirk Gregory
773-239-7800
Chicago
Kelly Rosenberg
773-239-7800
Chicago
Andy Carrell
708-418-3999
Lansing
Robert Deenik
708-474-5600
Lansing
John Tameling
708-474-5600
Lansing
Paul Turay
708-474-5300
Lansing
Tim VanZuidam
708-474-0006
Lansing
Ben Garrett
708-679-1870
Matteson
Charles Jennings
708-679-1870
Matteson
Randall Cox
708-560-7799
Oak Forest
Deborah Gray
708-560-7799
Oak Forest
Kelly Wagner
708-560-7799
Oak Forest
Jim Parthemore
708-745-5151
Orland Park
Kirk Nickerson
708-331-3323
South Holland
John Van Gennep
708-596-0007
South Holland
Jim Verduin
708-596-0008
South Holland
Tim Perchinski
708-754-7300
Steger
Deborah Wallenberg
708-755-1962
Steger
Frank Decker
708-361-3720
Worth
Patrick Hickey
708-361-4195
Worth
Jim Thomas
708-361-3956
Worth
Josh Van Namen
708-361-3925
Worth
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Co-Operator March 2009
4
Cook County Farm Bureau
History Corned Beef & Cabbage
Cabbage might be as
synonymous to corned beef
as peanut butter is to jelly—
particularly in March when the
blarney is as apparent as the
boiling pots that blend corned
beef with cabbage to make for
a hearty and evocative meal.
It’s a cure for any degree
of winter blues that many of us
regularly encounter. Speaking of
“cure,” corned beef is indeed just
that. The “corn” in “corned beef”
refers to the corns or grains of
coarse salts used to cure it. The
term “corned beef” can denote
different styles of brine-cured beef
depending on the region of the
world.
Cabbage,
meanwhile,
is derived from a leafy, wild
mustard plant that’s native to
the Mediterranean region, where
it is commonly grown along the
seacoast. Also called sea cabbage
and wild cabbage, it was well
known to the ancient Greeks and
Romans. Cato the Elder praised
the vegetable for its medicinal
properties, declaring that “it is the
cabbage which surpasses all other
vegetables.”
Well, lettuce, tomatoes,
cucumbers and others might
have something to say about
that distinction. But the fact
remains that cabbage surpasses
all other vegetables—perhaps
except boiled potatoes—when it
comes to serving as the perfect
“serving mate” with corned beef.
Like many other foods, both
corned beef and cabbage have
preparation and consumption
trends that vary depending on
the corner of the world in which
you live. In the U.S. and Canada,
corned beef has two meanings.
One refers to a cut of beef (usually
brisket, but sometimes round or
silverside) cured or pickled in a
seasoned brine. The other refers to
a tinned product generally found
with canned goods on supermarket
shelves.
In the States, corned beef is
often purchased precooked, as in
delicatessens. Perhaps the most
famous sandwich made with it
is the traditional corned beef on
rye, a very thick sandwich made
with thinly-sliced corned beef, rye
bread made with caraway seeds
(commonly known as kimmel
bread), and mustard or horseradish.
Also famous is the Reuben
sandwich, consisting of corned
beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut,
and Thousand Island or Russian
dressing on rye bread which is then
grilled on a flat griddle or in a cast
iron pan in oil.
In Germany, two canned versions
of commercial corned beef are
sold. The original is usually
called American Corned Beef and
consists of finely shredded corned
beef with a low fat content and is
similar to Spam. Another version is
called Deutsches Corned Beef and
is closer to the product described
above. It is not as finely shredded
and it contains chunks of corned
beef. Deutsches Corned Beef is
also sold in slices at supermarket
meat counters and butcher shops.
In the UK, the product is sold
in distinctive oblong-shaped tin
cans containing finely-ground
meat in a small amount of jelly.
A common way of eating corned
beef cold in the UK is sliced in a
sandwich accompanied by tomato,
lettuce or cucumber and a spread
such as pickle or English mustard.
Since the foundation of
the State of Israel, the IDF has
developed Loof, which is a slightly
adapted form of corned beef that
is packaged almost identically to
Spam—but is more nutritious,
durable and easily prepared to taste
either through cooking or frying
with other foods. The name loof is
a short and simplified form of meat
loaf. Loof is a standard issue in the
IDF, and is made by Richard Levy
Co. of Israel. All Loof is kosher,
and most are Hallal for Beduin
and Druze service personnel. The
product has become an Israeli folk
delicacy.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Of course, the consumption
of corned beef and cabbage is
associated with one day of the
year—Saint
Patrick’s
Day,
when many Irish Americans
consume a traditional meal of
corned beef and cabbage. But
one thing must be cleared up:
Consumption of corned beef and
cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day is
a U.S. ritual—not so in Ireland.
In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day,
it’s regarded as a deeply religious
occasion. On this holiday, one is
apt to find the typical Irish meal of
colcannon, a simple dish made of
potatoes and cabbage. There will
also be Irish soda bread, perhaps
a hearty lamb stew, Dublin coddle
and lots of seafood from the cold
waters surrounding the sainted
island.
According to the History
Channel, while cabbage has
become a traditional food item for
Irish-Americans, corned beef was
originally a substitute for bacon
in the late 1800s. Irish immigrants
living in New York City’s Lower
East Side sought an equivalent in
taste and texture to their traditional
Irish bacon, and learned about this
cheaper alternative to bacon from
their Jewish neighbors. A similar
dish is the New England boiled
dinner, consisting of corned beef,
cabbage, and root vegetables such
as carrots, turnips, and potatoes,
which is popular in New England
and parts of Atlantic Canada.
Cabbage, meanwhile, is
used in a variety of dishes for
its naturally spicy flavor. The
so-called “cabbage head” is
widely consumed raw, cooked, or
preserved in a great variety of
dishes. Often added to soups or
stews, cabbage soup is popular in
central and eastern Europe, and
serves as an ingredient in some
kinds of borscht. Cabbage may
be an ingredient used to prepare
kugel, a baked pudding served as
a side dish or dessert, and is also
used in many popular dishes in
India.
Celebrate Agriculture Week – March 15-21, Lincoln Style!
There is no question about it – 2009
is the year of Abraham Lincoln. From
full-costumed antebellum balls to repeat
performances of the play he was watching
when he was shot, Illinois is buzzing with
Lincoln celebrations. But during National
Agriculture Week, March 15-21, Cook
County Farm Bureau asks you to reflect
on what may be Lincoln’s greatest legacy,
modern agriculture.
“A farm boy himself,” said Illinois Farm
Bureau’s historian Steve Simms, “Lincoln
had an admiration and a tremendous
amount of respect for those who worked
the land.” Because of Lincoln’s passion for
farming, we have:
demanded and extorted more from the
Government, I respectfully ask Congress
to consider whether something more can
not be given voluntarily with general
advantage.”
Today, the USDA is responsible
numerous food assistance programs,
including school lunches, the food stamps,
and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children.)
The USDA has led the world in food
labeling, food safety, and food distribution
during disasters. Beyond food, USDA
also supports programs such as 4-H,
conservation, community development,
homeland security, global trade talks, and
of course – farmer education.
School Lunches – In 1861, Lincoln asked
Congress to establish the U.S. Department
of Agriculture: “ While it is fortunate
that this great interest [agriculture] is so
independent in its nature as to not have
Fighting Illini – Imagine a nation without
public colleges, but rather hundreds of
small private colleges intended to only
teach men. Furthermore, these colleges
only taught people to become preachers,
teachers, lawyers, and physicians. Lincoln
changed all that when he signed the
Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act in 1862.
This act established a network of state-run
colleges, including University of Illinois
that focused on practical education of
engineers, and of course, farmers.
The U of I opened it doors in 1867
and today boosts one of the world’s most
admired college of agriculture. It includes
studies in crop science, nutrition, rural
community development, consumer
economics, and more.
Little House on the Prairie – On January 1,
1863 (the same day that the Emancipation
Proclamation took effect), Lincoln’s
Homestead Act took effect, giving
thousands of Americans the chance to own
farmland in the West. The act let anyone
file for 160 acres of free land as long as at
the end of five years, he or she had built a
house, dug a well, plowed 10 acres, fenced
in part of the land, and actually lived
there.
Laura Ingalls and her family took
advantage of this deal, but they weren’t
alone. News of the free land quickly
traveled to Europe. Farmers immigrated
to the USA, bringing with them diverse
farming practices and cultures.
Even as the bombs of war raged on,
Lincoln remained dedicated to pro-farm
legislation because he knew agriculture is
the key to a strong nation. As he put it,
“...no other human occupation opens so
wide a field for the profitable and agreeable
combination of labor with cultivated
thought, as agriculture.”
Simms asks that even beyond National
Agriculture Week, you support Illinois
agriculture through legislation and
understanding, “I don’t know of a better
way to be part of Lincoln’s legacy.”
Take the “Lincoln” Agriculture Trivia Quiz below
by submitting answers through the CCFB website at www.cookcfb.org. Answers are also posted on the website.
From the submissions, we will draw a winner who will receive a gift card to Jewel/Osco worth 5 Lincoln’s or 2,500 Lincoln pennies ($25.00.)
Trivia Questions
Question: To commemorate his 100th birthday, Abraham
Lincoln became the first historical figure to grace a U.S.
coin. His portrait was heads. What image was tails?
------------------------------------------Question: As a young man, Lincoln worked for farmers,
building split rail fences. What was the original purpose
of these fences?
A. To protect the crops from animals
B. To stop the livestock from wondering off
C. To protect the family from warring Native
Americans
D. To make the farm prettier
------------------------------------------Question: Lincoln’s mother died from what?
A. A fall off of a the house roof
B. The common flu
C. A kick from a horse
D. Poisoned milk
-------------------------------------------
Question:
In
the
White
House,
the
Lincolns had a farm animal as a pet.
What was it?
------------------------------------------Question: Lincoln established the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Today, the USDA is responsible for what?
A. Food Pyramid
B. Alternative fuels
C. Disaster assistance
D. All of the above
------------------------------------------Question: The USDA manages the Farm Bill. What
percentage of the Farm Bill goes to subsidies?
------------------------------------------Question: When compared to the average size of a farm
when Lincoln was president, today’s farms are roughly:
A. 2 times bigger
B. 20 times bigger
C. 200 times bigger
-------------------------------------------
Question: When Lincoln was president, farmers
accounted for 58% of the labor force. Today, farmers are
what percentage of population?
A. 2%
B. 12%
C. 22%
------------------------------------------Question: Lincoln, Illinois was named for Abraham
Lincoln before he was even famous. During the naming
ceremony, Lincoln christened the town with the juice
from what Illinois specialty crop?
------------------------------------------Question: True or False – When Lincoln passed the
Homestead Act in 1862, only men (no women) were
eligible for free farmland out West.
------------------------------------------Question: True or False – Lincoln was born a bed of
poles covered with cornhusks.
------------------------------------------Question: When Lincoln was president, what was
Illinois’ chief crop?
Co-Operator March 2009
5
Cook County Farm Bureau
Bouquet or Salad? Either Gardening Activity “Rewards”!
Watching seeds
turn into a lovely bouquet or
a salad is a pleasure you can
share and enjoy on a budget,
said a University of Illinois
Extension horticulture educator.
“Growing flowers from seed is one
of many cost-cutting ideas for a lovely,
personalized event on a budget,” said
Nancy Pollard, who did just that for
a family member’s wedding rehearsal
dinner.
“You can easily find seeds in the
local hardware or drug store, big box
stores, or catalogues--whether your heart
is set on fanciful flowers or flavorsome
food. Purchase a few easy-to-sprout
flowers or veggies for the young or
young-at-heart to coax awake.”
For a sunny, cutting garden, she
recommended zinnias or marigolds.
“With their growth habits, every
time you cut a stem, two side buds push
out replacement stems and flowers,” she
said. “Other annuals easy to start from
seed include gomphrena, four o’clock,
snapdragon, and cleome.
“Easy salad crops include leaf
lettuce, tomato, and basil.”
Multi-stem sunflowers are shorter
and good for cutting, unlike the common
towering sunflower, she noted. Do not
cut the main stem, just the side shoots
of multi-stem types.
“Cosmos and salvia are easy, too,
but do not respond as well to cutting
back,” she said.
When deciding what to plant, check
for the number of days of germination
and then weeks to transplant and count
back. Some sprouts like squash are ready
to set out in just two or three weeks.
Others like geraniums may take closer
to 10 weeks.
“Buy commercial, soil-less seed
starting mix--it is worth the investment,”
she said. “With seeds, soil, and containers
gathered, it is time to get started. For
easy clean-up, protect your work surface
from spills by spreading black and white
newsprint.”
Sterile containers and soil-less mix
minimizes problems from damping-off
disease, she noted. That disease can kill
2007 Ag Census Reveals Changing
Face of Farmers in Urban Area
The agricultural trends continue in Cook County as traditional crop and
livestock production is replaced with specialty production on smaller plots of
land. These trends were revealed when the summary of the 2007 Agricultural
Census was released in February by the National Agricultural Statistics
Service.
The average farm in Cook County is now at a 45 acres average down
substantially from the 113 acreage average of the 2002 Ag Census. Farmed acres
were a record low 8,198 acres with 184 farms. The average age of a farmer is 52.3
years…120 are males and 64 are females.
Agricultural sales were at $15,270,000 of various commodities with nearly
two-thirds of the total coming from nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod
sales.
According to the Census, there were 1,890 horses, 1,479 colonies of bees,
970 acres of hay production, and 238 acres of sweet corn grown in Cook County.
Notably absent in the census is the presence of any substantive numbers in the
area of hogs, dairy cattle, beef cattle, and other major livestock.
Key aspects of the County’s Green Industry included bedding/garden
plants, bulbs, Christmas trees, flowers, herbs, flowering plants, orchards, and
floriculture. Vegetables grown included green beans (snap/lima), beets, broccoli,
cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, squash,
sweetcorn, tomatoes, and organics. Fruits raised in the County included apples,
blueberries, grapes, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupes, and strawberries. There
are 16 farm operations which blend agri-tourism elements into their farm.
Nationwide, the number of farms has grown four percent and operators
have become more diverse with nearly 300,000 new farm operations. These new
farms tend to have a more diversified production, fewer acres, lower sales, and
younger operators who also work off-farm.
Chicago Farmers Hosting
Renewable Energy Seminar
The Chicago Farmers will sponsor a panel discussion on Renewable Energy:
“Agriculture’s Impact Present & Future” on Monday, March 16, from 5:30 p.m. to
8:45 p.m., at the Northern Illinois University Naperville campus, 1120 E. Diehl Road,
Naperville.
This is one in a series of TCF evening programs focusing on renewable energy
and its relationship with agriculture. Previous meetings have met with great interest and
spurred lively discussions. Panelists for the March 16 event include:
•
Dr. Robert Hauser, ACES, University of Illinois
•
Eric Rund, a member of the Chicago Farmers' Board of Directors
•
Dr. Martha Schlicher, VP of Technology and Business Development at GTL
Resources, PLC.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for networking until 6:00 p.m. The panel discussion
will be underway from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. A question and answer period along with
networking and refreshments will follow from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. The cost of the evening
is $25 with advance reservations and $35 at the door. For more information or to register
online, visit www.chicagofarmers.org or call The Chicago Farmers at 312-388-FARM.
tender seedlings, especially if the soil is
cool or overwatered.
“Use a large, clean dishpan in
which to moisten the seed-starting
mix,” Pollard said. “With clean hands
or close-fitting gloves, combine the soilless mix with water so it is just moist and
crumbly, not so wet that it drips. If you
get it too wet, add more soil. If too dry,
add more water.”
Fill your container of choice-clean, recycled egg cartons, plastic food
packaging, or commercial seed packs
to the brim with moistened soil. After
the seeds are planted, it is hard to
moisten the soil without washing the
seeds away.
“Do not press the soil down,” she
said. “Research shows that packing the
soil stunts plant growth. Roots need
air, space, and water to thrive. Gentle
misting or watering later on will settle
the soil.”
Seed should be planted according
to the package directions. The
recommended depth is usually about
two times the diameter of the seed.
Plants need space to grow. If you sow
too many in the tray, either transplant
them when they get two to four leaves
on the stem, or use scissors to cut out the
extra, making space for the remaining
seedlings.
“For seed collected in the garden
and saved from previous years, you
can find directions for sprouting--also
known as germination--for specific
plants in books or websites about seed
starting,” she said. “Some seeds have
special requirements to germinate. For
instance, lettuce needs both light and
moisture to germinate.”
Tiny seedlings need a protected
environment or careful watching and
watering to keep them from drying out.
Pollard said clear plastic shoeboxes
make ideal little greenhouses. Fill the
boxes with about two inches of soil and
not to the top. Topped with clear lids,
they hold in the moisture for swelling
and sprouting. Fern spores can also be
started this way.
“If you have a tendency to overwater,
drill some holes in the bottom of the
boxes or recycled containers before you
start to let excess water drain out,” she
said. “Place them on a tray to catch the
water.”
Light provides the energy for
plant growth after sprouting. Even on
a windowsill, young seedlings benefit
from the higher intensity light of a
fluorescent shop light six inches away
from the seedlings.
“Daylight” bulbs are not necessary
for starting seedlings. They are helpful if
you want plants to flower under artificial
lights.
“If possible, hang them on
adjustable chains and raise them up as
the plants grow,” she said. “Light them
for 16 hours each day. If you notice a
large space on the stems between each
set of leaves, the seedlings need to be
closer to the light.
“If you place the sprouted seeds
in direct south or west light, and you
have them tented with plastic or in a
shoebox to prevent drying out, leave an
opening to let heat escape from your
little greenhouse.”
While waiting for tender flower or
veggie transplants to grow, plant lettuce
seed, onion sets, or radishes in outdoor
pots. You can harvest this spring salad
before you set out summer flowers.
“Sensitive, protected plants need
to be gradually hardened to wind, heat,
and intense sunshine,” she said. “As
it gets closer to planting day, take the
plants outside daily for an hour or two.
As plants get older, a gentle rotating fan
inside for a few minutes a day can help.
“Soon, they can spend all day
outside, and then the night, too. But
watch for freezing temperatures. The
plants should have at least two true leaves
before you transplant them outside.”
With just a few minutes of work,
Pollard noted, you can save time and
money and will have the pride of
proclaiming, “I grew these!”
Real people. Real answers. Real quick®
Jerry Anderson
4190 W. Euclid Ave.
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 963-8840
(Agency Manager)
Matt Broom
2775 Algonquin Rd.,
Suite 200
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 454-0219
Mark Coon
23042 Main Street
Prairie View, IL 60069
(847) 415-2666
Russ Delange
2775 Algonquin Rd.,
Suite 200
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 454-0666
Frank Favia
1 E. Northwest Hwy.,
Suite 109
Palatine, IL
60067
(847) 934-5125
Albert Hartoun
4190 W. Euclid Ave.
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 963-8851
Larry Jachec
2070 N. Rand Rd., Suite I
Palatine, IL
60074
(847) 934-5112
Sunil Johnston
4190 W. Euclid Ave.
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 963-8907
George Lundin
4200 W. Euclid Ave.,
Suite C
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 934-6800
Ray Massie
2775 Algonquin Rd.,
Suite 200
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 483-0600
Joe Moran
103 N. Arlington
Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights,
IL 60004
(847) 818-6507
Kevin McDonald
200 E. Evergreen,
Suite 110
Mount Prospect, IL
60056
(847) 454-0200
Bill Schutz
51 W. Seegers Rd.,
Suite 1
Arlington Heights, IL
60005
(847) 690-1980
1107-106
John Paddock
200 W. Higgins Rd.
Suite 202
Schaumburg, IL,
60195
(847) 882-3500
Joe Sepsey
390 E. Higgins Rd., Suite
104
Elk Grove Village, IL
60007
(847) 434-1555
Matt Powell
2070 N. Rand Rd.,
Suite I
Palatine, IL
60074
(847) 934-5117
Vicki Smith
390 E. Higgins Rd.,
Suite 104
Elk Grove Village, IL
60007
(847) 434-1515
Fred Resner
1606 W. Colonial
Parkway
Inverness, IL
60067
(847) 991-2815
Alex Swistun
4190 W. Euclid Avenue
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 963-8824
Michael Weinstein
Auto/Home • Commercial • Life/Health • Disability Income
Universal Life • Complete Insurance Service
Nader Rizkalla
4190 W. Euclid
Avenue
Rolling Meadows, IL
60008
(847) 963-8874
1606 W. Colonial
Parkway
Inverness, IL
60067
(847) 991-2815
Co-Operator March 2009
6
Cook County Farm Bureau
Agricultural Literacy
AITC
& Public Relations
Haley’s Comment
We recently celebrated Food Check-Out Week
with the Ronald McDonald House Charities®Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®CNI). This was our ninth year Cook County
Farm Bureau has been celebrating, and my third.
I feel personally honored and rewarded for being
involved in this program. On behalf of the Cook
County Farm Bureau, I would like to thank all
of our members, personal donors, 4-H Clubs, Chicago High
School for Ag Sciences’ FFA, JEWEL-OSCO, Country Financial
Agencies, board members and committee members for making this
year so successful. We had the most food donated in our history of
celebrating, and it comes at a time when charities need it most.
“Pediatric illness has no recession,” said Doug Porter, CEO
of RMHC®-CNI as he spoke at the newest Ronald McDonald
House® near Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital at 4410 W. 93rd
St. in Oak Lawn. I think his quote says it all. Our economy is
hurting, therefore Americans are hurting, and that means charities
are hurting. We are very fortunate that our Cook County Farm
Bureau members were able donate the 3,040 pounds of food.
Thank you all very much!
This page has been dedicated to the Food Check-Out Day
event. For more pictures and information check out our webpage
www.cookcfb.org.
P.S. Next year is our TENTH year! We hope you that you can
contribute to next year’s big milestone.
Ronald McDonald and Captain Cornelius
discuss the best strategy on February 18,
2009 for the Cook County Farm Bureau
Food Check-Out Day Shopping Spree at
JEWEL-OSCO, located at 9424 S. Pulaski,
Oak Lawn.
Jim Brandau, President of the Cook County
Farm Bureau loads his cart with as many
corn food products as possible during the
seven minute shopping spree.
FFA students from Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences help Mike Rauch,
Chairman of the Ag Literacy/PR team of the Cook County Farm Bureau, load food onto
the trailer. Harry Stuenkel, Ag Literacy member and Board Member for the Cook County
Farm Bureau, then drives a tractor loaded with food for the four Chicagoland area Ronald
McDonald Houses® from the JEWEL-OSCO to the Ronald McDonald House® near
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital.
The Orland Park Country Financial
Agency provided food for those in attendance
at Food Check-Out Day and for the families
residing in the house.
The Cook County Farm Bureau invited 4-H Clubs to participate in the
2009 4-H Fill the Pantry competition on Food Checkout Day! Each
clubs’ food donations were weighted, and the top three clubs with the
most pounds received a monetary prize. Thank you to the following
clubs for participating!
1. Rising Stars---353 pounds
2. Home Schooled Clovers---219 pounds
3. Diplomatic Corps---84 pounds
4. Palos 4-H---47 pounds
Cook County Farm Bureau And Ronald
Mcdonald House Charities®-Chicagoland And
Northwest Indiana Race Against Hunger In
Celebration Of Food Check-Out Week
On your mark, get set, shop! On
February 18, 2009 starting at 2:30
p.m. at JEWEL-OSCO, located at
9424 S. Pulaski in Oak Lawn, the
Cook County Farm Bureau® and
Ronald McDonald House Charities®Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
(RMHC®-CNI) raced against hunger
in celebration of Food Check-Out
Week.
“We are proud to host the
Food Check-Out Day Shopping
Spree event,” said JEWEL-OSCO
Community Relations Manager La
Toya Dixon. “It’s an entertaining
event for a great cause that also
achieves our goal of providing hunger
relief in the community.”
Since 2001 the Cook County
Farm Bureau has been celebrating
Food Check-Out Week, the week
where the average American has
earned enough disposable income to
feed his or her family for the entire year.
This year a new shopping spree event
was added before the usual festivities
to contribute to the celebration and
to provide more awareness about the
abundant, nutritious and affordable
food American Agriculture provides.
Jim Brandau, President of the
Cook County Farm Bureau, raced
against Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald
McDonald House Charities®Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
at the JEWEL-OSCO.
Each
participant had seven minutes to
race from aisle to aisle collecting
non-perishable food items that
contain corn. Money granted by
the Illinois Corn Marketing Board
contributed to this event. More than
350 items were collected between the
two shoppers, and all food gathered
by both teams was donated to the
Ronald McDonald House Charities®Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
The Cook County Farm Bureau also
asked its members to donate food,
money and pop tabs for the four Cook
County area houses. The 2009 totals
included 3,040 pounds of food, 51.5
pounds of pop tabs, and $4,389.06 in
donations.
“With the recent turn in the
economy every dollar counts and
unfortunately new struggles in many
American families have developed,”
Jim Brandau, Cook County Farm
Bureau President said. “Fortunately
because of the efficiency of American
farming, we spend less of our income
on food than any other country in
the world. However, in times of
need, even that small amount can be
difficult. The Cook County Farm
Bureau is proud to donate food to the
Ronald McDonald House® in order
to help the families residing within
it.”
The celebration events after
the shopping spree were held at the
newest Ronald McDonald House®
near Advocate Hope Children’s
Hospital at 4410 W. 93rd St. in Oak
Lawn. A tractor/trailer with the
food donations was led by a police
escort from JEWEL-OSCO to the
nearby Ronald McDonald House®.
Activities at the House included the
unloading of the food donations, a
tour of the new house, and a dinner
provided by Orland Park Country
Financial Agency for those attending
the event and the families staying in
the house.
###
If you would like more
information about Food Check-Out
Week, or to schedule an interview
with a Cook County Farm Bureau
representative, please call Haley Loy
at 708-354-3276 or e-mail Haley at
[email protected]. To see a short
video about the event visit http://www.
nolanpost.com/CCFB_09/Invite.html.
2009 Totals
3,040 Pounds of Food
51.5 Pounds of Pop Tabs
$4389.06 in Contributions
Members of the Cook County Farm Bureau,
along with Ronald McDonald and other
RMHC staff, unload food into the Ronald
McDonald House®
The 2009 Tipping the Scale Award goes to:
Orland Park Country Financial Agency
Illinois Corn Marketing Board
Awards the Cook County
Farm Bureau a $620 Grant
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) awarded $10,000
in grant money to assist County Farm Bureaus interested in
promoting corn, its uses, and its versatility. Our proposal was to
reach consumers in grocery stores via a celebrating Food Checkout
Day with a celebrity shopping spree. The Cook County Farm
Bureau was award $620 to help assist in this event.
This award is presented to the Agency who has donated the most pounds of food for Food Check-Out
Week. Orland Park donated 148 pounds of food.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Haley Loy, Director Ag Literacy/Public Relations
6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, Il 60525
[email protected]
phone: 708.354.3276 fax:708.579.6056
Co-Operator March 2009
7
Cook County Farm Bureau
AMBER WAVES OF GREEN!
A ‘Gold
Medal’ Soy
Pen!
Agriculture contributes in many ways to the “green”
movement and renewable energy practices. Soybeans
play a role in producing a renewable foam used to make
the automobile seats. A product called Environ is used
in the production of renewable/sustainable countertops
and tile for home construction. A field turf product used
in sports stadiums and local recreation departments is
not only eco-friendly but enables the sponsoring community or school to reduce it use of water.
Chicago has been a national
leader in sustainable development under
Mayor Richard M. Daley’s longtime “green”
agenda for the city. Chicago’s bid for hosting
the 2016 Olympic Games pledges to stage a
carbon-neutral event by expanding the city’s
existing environmental policies and programs.
Showing that the city practices what it
preaches, the city even printed its Olympic
application using 100 percent soy ink on 100
percent post-consumer recycled fiber. So
farmers even contribute to the development
of writing utensils.
Going Green, Going Mobile
In 2008, the science club of Bloom High School in Chicago Heights collected
vegetable oil to produce a renewable bio-diesel product to power a bus—
called the Veggie Bus—that had been donated to the school. The fact that
vegetable oil is derived from soybeans is Ag’s contribution to the powering
the Veggie Bus—and in the cleanest way! Everyone knows that renewable bio
-diesel is far better for the environment than fuels derived from fossil fuels.
Biodiesel production also reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil while creating jobs and demand for homegrown renewable soybean oil.
FIELD TURF’S THE REAL DEAL
WATER CONSERVATION
Maintaining a lawn produced from real grass or installation of sod can be a lot of
work. First, think of all the water that’s used. Not only is water usage high but
transporting sod to its destination increases carbon emissions. One popular solution
is Field Turf, recognized by a growing number of local recreation centers, sports organizations and even homeowners. Field Turf’s infill is made from
graded silica sand and ground rubber and surrounds each fiber like
natural earth holds a blade of grass. Forty percent of Field Turf is
manufactured using recyclable parts.
THE ROLE OF POLYOL
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Congratulations to last month’s winner of four
movie tickets, Thomasine Thompson of
Frankfort. Could you be the next winner?
Return a completed Word Search puzzle and
your name will be entered into the drawing.
Entry deadline is Monday March 16. Mail to:
Cook Co. Farm Bureau, Ag Adventures Word
Search, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL
60525, or Fax : 708-579-6056.
WORD SEARCH ENTRY FORM
Green Word Search
I
E F P Y G N E P N G W S E F
P Q R F
R L H S P E R H G U T
S K U O O Q A WQ E A H W E B
Y W U B K N K R G R D Q P E G
B N R E B B U R T
G E D K T
D W WV H J P R I
U D K U N N
O G A C I
V E R A A G
H C E L
N N V B H Q L P E L F
F G Z S K R I
W B P S I
I
N E X Q
V E I R B D R O
E S D L
C A R B O N N Q R O T
K E J
T B T J
G V E Y
J F
G E E X S J J
D E X WT N Z
V E V L
Y
G B
S G C B R A U C E T B A D H B
Q E A J
I
B P J A R D R N P V
Z
H G V E G E L H H C P Y D H S
Address:
J G S F
P F
Phone:
I
T
E L
GREEN WORD SEARCH
O Y G U V T
H D V M R L F B G J G O A L
Name:
Farmers always seek o maximize water
efficiency. Capturing water on farmland
through constructed ponds is one way.
Making use of water sources other than
surface and groundwater—by treating agricultural runoff water and reusing water on
farms—is another. Napa Valley’s Frog’s
Leap Vineyard saves 16,000 gallons of water per year through “dry farming.” The
Straus Family Creamery in Marshall, Calif.,
recycles much of the 5,000 gal. of water it
uses per day. to clean barns, and harnesses
methane from the wastewater to generate
electricity on the farm.
E U M Y L A D N Q A
D Z X R O N L
Q B B K X P U K N D J
X P G
R B N J
BUS
CARBON
CHICAGO
DALEY
ENERGY
FIELD
GRADED
GREEN
GROUND
NEUTRAL
OIL
PEN
RENEWABLE
RUBBER
RUNOFF
SOYBEAN
TILE
TURF
UTENSIL
VEGETABLE
WATER
Co-Operator March 2009
8
Hide and
seek,
cow-calf
style
I stood motionless behind a curtain
panel with our 3-year-old daughter, who
used her index finger to signal silence
so that Dad and little brother would
be challenged to find us. Perhaps that
would have worked if the curtain panels
were floor-length.
My position behind the living room
drapes brought a flashback of calving
seasons during my childhood when my
parents raised beef cattle. The traditional
spring calving season nears its start across
Illinois, as do the hide-and-seek game
for cattlemen who have their cows in the
pasture. Cows can play hide-and-seek
as well as they can play cow-pie bingo
(a traditional, “tail-raising” fundraiser
for a local FFA chapter). Anyway, I
remember bumping along as a kid on
the center of the pickup truck bench
seat as Dad drove across the pasture to
check newborn calves. My eyes scanned
through the wiper-cleaned glass as if I
was watching for deer prepared to cross
a rural highway during mating season.
Like hunting for morel mushrooms, you
wanted to be the first to find one.
Cows hide their calves, Dad
explained. That could be near a tree,
in tall grass or at any low spot in the
pasture’s terrain. He usually knew the
cows’ favorite spots, but occasionally
spent what seemed the length of a
Monopoly game to find them. The
search progressed to the next level when
the truck accelerated in frustration and
drove across ditches and hillsides that
I preferred to travel on foot. All the
while, the herd of cattle must have been
laughing like the Happy Cows from
California.
I released my hands from the dash
to indicate a calf-sighting. Dad either
kept going to count more calves, or for
the newest arrivals, he exited the truck
in a veterinary role to assess the calf ’s
health, administer medicine and add
a numbered ear tag for identification.
Sometimes the mother cow circled in
concern, which brings about the fear I
rank with snakes: a cow headbutting me
in the gut. Confidence and efficiency
kept the cow from resorting to physical
protection of her calf.
He returned to the truck. The
calf stood on its skinny, long legs and
fluttered its ear with the new, bright
orange earring. Perhaps that tag would
be as easy as to spot as feet below a living
room curtain.
2009 Foundation
Scholarship Applications
Now Being Accepted
Continue from Page 1.
Last year, the Foundation provided seven
scholarships ranging from $1,000.00 $2,500 a piece. The Board will name the
top applicant as the Howard Paarlberg
Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship
recipient. The Foundation is proud to
announce the 11th Annual Agricultural
Scholarship Program. The Foundation
will award a scholarship (s) to college
students pursuing agriculturally related
fields of study. The 2nd Conserv FS FFA
Scholarship for $1,000 will also be offered
a Cook County High School Senior in an
approved FFA Program.
The Foundation Board has set the
following criteria for the scholarship
program…
• Applications are available at the
Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation
office located at 6438 Joliet Road in
Countryside, Illinois. We will also send
applications upon request by calling 708354-3276 or they can be printed out
on the Foundation page of http://www.
cookcfb.org.
• Applications must be completed and
submitted to the CCFB Foundation by
March 13th, 2009. Late applications will
not be considered.
• All applicants must be members or
dependents of members in good standing
with the Cook County Farm Bureau for
at least one year. (Except for the Conserv
FS FFA Award)
• All applicants must be high school
graduates accepted for enrollment by, or
currently enrolled at, an a c c r e d i t e d
college, university, or community college.
• All applicants must be pursuing a
field of study in agriculture, agri-business,
or an agriculturally related major with a
focus on an ag-related career.
• Scholarships will be awarded
following application evaluation for
exceptional academic ability, financial
need, demonstrated interest in agriculture,
evidence of self-help, and character.
There is no clear answer to the question
we sometimes are asked, “Is …..an
agricultural career? The Foundation
board evaluates each application on its
own merit and uses additional criteria
of goals, past experience, and the
agricultural connections to the career
to determine eligibility,” indicated Bob
Rohrer, Foundation Executive Director.
For more information or an
application, please contact the Cook
County Farm Bureau Foundation at
708-354-3276 or print one out from
our website http://www.cookcfb.org/
scholarship.pdf.
Agriculture is the “Natural” choice
for a career and you will be amazed by the
possibilities.
Greenhouse grower
Large Animal Veterinarian
Agri-Scientist
Cook County Farm Bureau
Landowners Should
Investigate Benefits of
Stewardship
Program
Owners of non-farm wooded property should explore a state
conservation stewardship program to determine if theyre eligible
or would benefit, according to the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Farm Bureau.
“It’s a good program,” said Shawn Wilcockson, who coordinates
IDNR’s role in the stewardship program. “But my recommendation
to any landowner before they complete an application is to contact
their county supervisor of assessments.”
Brenda Matherly, IFB assistant director of local government,
agreed: “First, property owners need to talk to their county
assessor to see how their property currently is being classified and if there are any future
plans to reclassify that property,” she said.
The conservation stewardship program was created in 2007 to develop a process for
assessing the property value for tax purposes of non-farm woodlands, prairie, wetlands,
vacant land, or undeveloped land being managed for conservation purposes.
However, not all woodland is eligible. For example, land isn’t eligible if it is part of a
farming operation and classified as other farmland. That land is assessed at one-sixth the
cropland value under the farmland assessment law, Matherly noted.
2009 Recipe
Collection
Send in your favorite fresh fruit and vegetable recipes to be
published in this year’s recipe collection. We will choose
15-20 different recipes. Send your favorite recipe along with
your name to: Cook County Farm Bureau, Attn: Peggy
6438 Joliet Rd, Countryside IL 60525
All entries will be entered into a drawing
to win a $50 gift card to Jewel-Osco.
Farm Bureau Hosts Screening
To Detect Your Risk For Stroke
In Less Than Ten Minutes!
“I came in thinking I did not need the tests. I felt fine. Well, I’m very lucky. You found a 7cm
Aortic Aneurysm and when I had surgery they found two more. I highly recommend these tests.
They should be mandatory!” Wallace McClain - Seneca, IL
"Your service truly saved my life! Your tech sent me right to the doctor. They found three
blockages in my heart and 90% blockage in my Carotid artery. I now have a stent in my heart and
have had right Carotid Artery surgery. Your screening made a believer out of me. I still have your flyer
at my business and have told everyone to get in to see you." Carolyn Armstrong – Wapella, IL
We’ll Be In Your Community!
Where: Country Financial
55 W. Monroe St.
Ste. 3150
Chicago
When: Mon. May 18
9:00 - 4:30
Where: Country Financial
2435 W. Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg
When: Tues. May 19
9:00 - 4:30
Where: Cook County
Farm Bureau
6438 Joliet Rd.
Countryside
When: Wed. May 20
9:00 - 4:30
Share Good Health...Bring A Friend!
Appts. are necessary. Call Toll Free 1-877-732-8258
Four Life Saving Screenings
Stroke Screening
$40
Abdominal Aortic
Aneurysm
$40
Peripheral Arterial
Disease
$40
Osteoporosis
$40
This screening visualizes the buildup of fatty
blockage in the carotid
arteries. This condition
causes the majority of
strokes.
This screening visualizes
the existence of an
aneurysm in the abdominal aorta that can rupture
and be fatal.
This screening checks for
blockage in the legs.
Abnormal results indicate
high risk of coronary artery
disease and peripheral
arterial disease.
This test screens for
abnormal bone density
Both men and women
can prevent
Osteoporosis with early
detection and
treatment.
Full Wellness Profile
Community $120; Farm Bureau Members $80
Co-Operator March 2009
9
Cook County Farm Bureau
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
Tentative County Budget Deal Reached
In the twelfth hour, Cook County
Commissioners reached a tentative budget
agreement. The $2.9 billion spending plan
relies on $47 million from the Federal
stimulus package, departmental cuts
and $370 million from the 1% sales tax
hike implemented last July by County
Board President Todd Stroger and county
commissioners.
At this time, it does not appear that
the budget will include borrowing $220
million for day-to-day expenses as originally
pushed by Stroger. However, questions
about how the County will meet its $104
million pension obligation remain.
Whether or not the County will
pass and fund a controversial capital
improvement borrowing plan is still
unknown at this time.
By law, Commissioners must pass a
budget before the end of the first quarter
(February 28) even though the fiscal year
began December 1.
Several engaged Cook County
Farm Bureau members contacted their
commissioners regarding earlier budget
proposals to request that commissioners
reconsider using borrowing to fund day-today expenses and instead consider carefully
orchestrated department reductions and
consolidations. Cook CFB members
received numerous responses back from
commissioners echoing their positions and
concerns.
The budget situation is just one
example of avenues for members to
become more involved with local issues. If
anyone is interested in receiving additional
information or becoming part of our
“Action Request Team” please contact Bona
Heinsohn at (708) 354-3276 or via email at
[email protected].
Illinois Budget: Bleak at Best
Plagued by years of mismanagement and overspending, Illinois now faces up to a
multi-billion dollar budget hole in the coming fiscal year. Illinois Comptroller Daniel
Hynes estimates that the budget deficit may reach $9 billion by the beginning of next
fiscal year, which begins on July 1. Hynes’ figure relies on flat revenue growth and no
new spending. Both of which may not be possible. The Commission on Governmental
Forecasting and Accountability anticipates that Illinois’ revenues will actually decline, by
as much as $1.6 billion given the status of the economy.
Despite the dismal outlook, there is some hope that Illinois could receive up to $3
billion from President Obama’s stimulus package.
Without banking on money that is no way guaranteed to come to fruition, Illinois
has few options-leave the Medicaid payment cycle where it is, which is likely to be hotly
contested by nonprofit providers, skip the $1.2 billion pension payment mandated under
a 1995 state law, employee layoffs, program cuts, reduced services or tax increases.
In light of the budget deficit, Governor Pat Quinn has ordered state agencies to
reduce their budgets by 1%, limit non-essential out-of-state and in-state travel, defer
major purchases, limit contract work and restrict hiring.
Senate President John Cullerton has indicated that he is willing to consider
increasing the gas tax, cigarette tax and income tax to fill the budget hole. He also
supports taxing Internet purchases.
Members are encouraged to check www.cookcfb.org for updates on Illinois’ budget
situation.
Volunteers Needed
With Ag Day rapidly approaching, Cook County Farm Bureau is seeking
volunteers interested in reading agricultural books to kids the week of March
16-20. Not only do you have an opportunity to instill a love of reading in a child
but also a love for agriculture and nature.
If interested, please contact either Haley Loy or Bona Heinsohn at (708) 3543276. Times and locations can be arranged to fit your schedule and preferences.
Ag Day is a nationwide day set aside to celebrate our agricultural heritage and
the future that the industry holds. In addition to reading to kids, Cook CFB’s Ag
in the Classroom Program will once again be hosting an agricultural experience for
Cook County 3rd graders at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.
Last year nearly 400 students participated.
Blagojevich
Impeached
After just three days
of hearing testimony and
deliberations, the Senate
Impeachment Tribunal
voted 59-0 to convict
Governor Rod Blagojevich
of impeachment. Upon
the conclusion of the
vote Blagojevich was
immediately
removed
from office. The Senate
Impeachment Tribunal
also voted 59-0 to ban
Blagojevich from ever
running for any other
elected office in Illinois.
Following the Illinois
Constitution, Lt. Governor
Pat Quinn automatically
became Governor and took
the official oath of office
during a small ceremony.
In 2002, Congressman
Blagojevich campaigned
for Governor on a platform
that promised change
and no more business as
usual. The following quote
represents just how ironic
it is that Blagojevich’s
reign as Governor ended
in impeachment amidst a
criminal investigation on
corruption charges.
“We will meet our
challenges head on-and we
will do it by rejecting the
politics of mediocrity and
corruption. You voted for
change; I intend to deliver.”
…
January 13, 2003,
delivering his inauguration
speech in Springfield.
Your Opinion Needed
Two years ago, the Cook County Farm Bureau Board of Directors developed eight
strategic objectives, including “becoming a major player in Cook County government.”
For the past year, members and staff have been building relationships with elected
officials and like-minded groups with the goal of promoting the organization and its
policy.
One avenue to achieve this goal, being considered by the Public Policy Team
and Board of Directors, is the formation of a political action committee (“PAC”).
This committee would be designed to solicit contributions and to dispense those
contributions to Cook County candidates and incumbents supportive of farm bureau
policy. The requirements for solicitations and contributions would be set in the
committee’s bylaws to ensure fairness and compliance.
As Cook CFB continues to investigate this opportunity, we would like to ask you
what you think.
Would you be supportive of Cook CFB forming a political action committee
to contribute to Cook County candidates and incumbents supportive of the
organization and its policy?
_______ Yes
_______ No
_______ Unsure
Additional Comments ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Please mail your response to Bona Heinsohn at 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside,
IL 60525. You can also email your response to [email protected]. If you have any
questions, would like further information, or would like to phone in your response please
call Bona at (708) 354-3276.
Cook County Farm Bureau and other Regional farm bureau members met with the Chicago Metropolitan
Agency on Planning (CMAP), the Chicago Food Policy Council and the City of Chicago Planning and
Development to discuss regional food and commodity production.
Property Tax Appeals Forms
For individuals interested in appealing
their property tax assessment, a copy of the
initial paperwork needed as well as additional
information regarding who to send the appeals
form to and which townships are open through
the Board of Review for appeal is available at
www.cookcfb.org or by calling Bona Heinsohn
at (708) 354-3276 or via email at bona@cookcfb.
org.
There is no charge to appeal a property tax
assessment and the Board of Review cannot raise
a property owner’s assessment.
Coming to Your Mailboxes
Soon: Viewpoint Surveys
Just as a reminder, in the next month voting members will be receiving the
2009 Viewpoint Survey.
This is an important tool in Cook CFB’s grassroots arsenal. Not only does
this survey enable us to get a “pulse” on voting members’ positions on local, state
and federal issues but it provides the basis for future policy discussions, meetings
and submittals.
Survey topics include: increasing transparency, financing county government,
ethics reform and campaign financing reform.
Voting members are encouraged to return their surveys as soon as possible.
Those members returning their surveys are automatically entered in a drawing for
several $25 gift cards.
Manifolds, Manolos, and Manure
I’m a straight up
Illinois girl through
and through. Purely
for a reaction did I
consider going outof-state for college
and grad school. For
less than an hour I
considered moving
By Bona Heinsohn
to Wisconsin. And
I spat hairballs and incoherent sentences at the
mere suggestion of Forbes ranking Chicago as
the third worst city in America, especially when
Modesto and Stockton, California share that
same list. The only thing that Modesto has on us
is car thieves and cows.
Illinois has everything a girl could ever
want-shoe shopping, fine dining, long commutes,
ever-changing weather, a political circus and a
place for my cows, cats, dogs and rabbit to call
home. Granted I’m sure my neighbors would
prefer that my dogs called it “home” using their
inside voices.
I’m a shopper. I love a great sale, but I love a
great shoe even more. Combine a great shoe and
a great sale and my weekend is made… until I get
the receipt and am reminded of the 1% sales tax
hike past last year to pad County Board President
Todd Stroger’s county piggy bank. His hike took
Chicago’s sales tax to 10.25% (wonder how that
looks in Chicago’s 2016 Olympics bid proposal)
and shot many suburban communities’ rate to 9%.
In 2009, Stroger is planning on collecting $370
million from sales taxes alone. Ouch. I hear a
primary challenge a brewing …
At least northeastern Illinois has fine
dining providing that the $3,000 plus dollars that
congestion costs you doesn’t ruin your appetite
first. According to a 2008 Metropolitan Planning
Council report, commuting costs the average
suburban driver $824 and costs the average
Chicagoan $3,014 per year. As long as your car
doesn’t get stolen first, I swear Modesto has less
traffic.
Guess you could take public transportation
but do it soon, CTA, Metra and Pace are again
crying “doomsday” because of sliding revenues.
Transit authorities estimate a $213 million
shortfall, the 2008 doomsday shortfall (isn’t it
sad when we have to preference CTA “doomsday
scenarios” by the year) that earned them additional
revenue through tax and fee increases was just
$158 million. At the time, CTA threatened to
eliminate more than half of CTA bus routes,
raise fares to as much as $3.25 and layoff 2,400
employees. They are again saying that the 2008
deficit will shutdown the system.
Fortunately, those commute costs and
another transit “doomsday” don’t include the cost
of the weather. Just two weeks ago it was spring,
the week before that it was a blizzard and this
week it’s a wild winter. What’s not to love about
that? At least it’s not like Buffalo, New York that
averages 90 inches of snowfall per year.
And speaking of fluffy stuff, lets talk just a
for a moment about political stuff. Over the past
decade, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern
Illinois, which includes Chicago, has convicted
385 public officials. Their most recent conquest
is former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was
impeached and forever banned from holding an
elected office in Illinois after just three days of
deliberations. He joins the ranks of five of the
last nine Governors who have been charged with
crimes. Who says that Illinois doesn’t need swift
and drastic campaign and ethics reform? The
only two records worst than the likelihood of the
Illinois Governor’s Office being corrupt is the
Detroit Lions and the Chicago Cubs. The Lions
failed to win a single game last year and the Cubs
have gone 100 years without a World Series title.
Speaking of our lovable losers, the Cubs
are the early favorites to win the 2009 World
Series-just like Governor Pat Quinn is the early
favorite to clean-up the tainted remains of the
Blagojevich Administration. He’s already kicked
former Deputy Governor Louanner Peters, acting
Department of Natural Resources chief Kurt
Granberg and Spokesperson Lucio Guerrero to
the curb. Too bad he can’t do the same to Illinois’
junior Senator, Roland Burris, who continues to
serve despite ever-increasing controversy. Come
to find out there are discrepancies between his
testimony to the House Impeachment Panel
and his sworn affidavits. Imagine that. Upon
repeatedly being asked if he had any contact with
Blagojevich or his people he still couldn’t provide
a straight answer or craft a story he could at least
stick to. Maybe he’ll have a better chance crafting
a story now that he’s increasing transparency by
not talking to the media.
And speaking of problems, Illinois’ livestock
industry continues to shrink while the industry
grows nationwide. Over the past 10 years,
livestock receipts fell from $2.3 to $1.7 billion.
Looking at the dairy industry, Illinois produces
just 153 pounds of milk per person. The national
average for dairy product consumption is 597
pounds per person. You do the math. Illinois
is a milk deficient state. Yearly, the state’s dairy
industry contributes $8 billion to the economy
and accounts for 11,600 jobs, imagine how much
it could contribute if we didn’t ship milk in from
as far as 1,500 miles away.
Why then is Illinois the place to be? Is it
because of our illustrious county board? Or the
nearly comical activities of our ex-Governor?
What about our back-to-back division leading
baseball team that went down without a single
win during the 2008 playoffs?
No other place offers individuals quite as
many opportunities to become engaged in their
future. Let’s face it, our political system needs
fixing. Our transportation system needs fixing.
Our livestock industry needs growing. Throw
dis-enhancement to the curb (it fits mighty nicely
next to Burris), we need to get motivated by our
state’s dismal situation.
We need to get involved, and we’ve got to
start caring about what is happening around us,
which means taking an extra five minutes to talk
to your neighbor, send a letter to your elected
officials or read more than just one side of a
story. As you go forward, anytime you have need
assistance or a question about the happenings in
our great state, call or email me. I promise I won’t
spit hairballs unless you suggest that Modesto is
better than Illinois.
For More Information Contact:
Bona Heinsohn, Director of Public Policy
6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, Il 60525
[email protected]
phone: 708.354.3276 fax: 708.579.6056
Co-Operator March 2009
10
Cook County Farm Bureau
MEMBER RELATIONS
2009 Money Smart Week Programs
Programs presented by U of I Extension educators
(All programs listed are FREE of charge)
Program: Personal Finance: Charting a New Course
Date & Time: Sun., April 19 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: Morton Grove Public Library
Program: Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?
Transferring Non-Titled Property and Their Value
Date & Time: Mon., April 20 at 11:00 am
Location: North Riverside Library
Program: Getting Through Tough Financial Times
Date & Time: Mon., April 20 at 6:30 pm
Location: Bloomingdale Public Library
Program: Making Your Money Last in Retirement
Date & Time: Mon., April 20 at 7:00 pm
Location: Schaumburg Township District Library
Date & Time: Weds., April 22 at 1:00 pm
Location: Arlington Heights Senior Center
Program: Estate Planning for Real People
Date & Time: Tues., April 21 at 7:30 pm
Location: Mount Prospect Public Library
Program: Record Keeping – What to Keep and Why
Date & Time: Wed., April 22 at 6:00 pm
Location: Orland Township Youth and Family
Services
2
Program: Money Rules to Live By
Date & Time: Thurs., April 23 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Chicago Public Library, Austin/Irving
Branch
Program: Your Credit Report and Score: Affects Your
Purchasing Power!
Date & Time: Thurs., April 23 at 7:00 pm
Location: Hinsdale Community Service Office-The Memorial Building
Program: Who Gets the Money? Rules for Taking
Distributions from Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans
Date & Time: Fri., April 24 at 9:30 am
Location: Chicago Public Library, Harold
Washington Library Center
Program: Saving & Investing in Turbulent Times
Date & Time: Fri., April 24 at 12:00 noon
Location: Chicago Public Library, Harold
Washington Library Center
**Call the Cook County Farm Bureau for more
information at 708.354.3276**
9
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009
GAME TIME: 7:05PM
Best Post Game
Fireworks Show
in the Chicago Southland!
Come join us for a ball game on Saturday, May 23rd and sit among friends and family while
cheering on the Back 2 Back Champion ThunderBolts as they face the Rockford RiverHawks.
The pre-game picnic package is only $17.00 per person and includes a
private, tented pre-game picnic area located down the left field line above the ThunderBolts
bullpen, a lower level box seat ticket, all-you-can-eat buffet featuring hot dogs, hamburgers,
potato salad, coleslaw and unlimited soda for one hour prior until a half hour into the
scheduled start time of the game.
Call Katie Smith at the Cook County Farm Bureau office to book your tickets today!!
Bring an extra buck or two because hot dogs, soda,
and popcorn are only $1.00 all night long!
* SORRY, LEAGUE RULES PROHIBIT OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGES IN BALL PARK, INCLUDING BOTTLED WATER *
Fax to 708.579.6056 or Call Katie Smith at 708.354-3276 to Order Your Tickets!
TYPE OF TICKET PACKAGES
Pre-Game Picnic w/ Lower Level Box Seat Ticket
# OF TICKETS
PRICE
TOTAL DUE
$17.00
Group Name: ____________________________________ Leader: ____________________________
Address/City/St/Zip: _________________________________________________________________
Phone #:___________________________ Signature: ______________________ Date:_________
Credit Card (circle): VISA / MC __________________________________________________ Exp:_______ CV:_______
Electronics Collection
Plug into Recycling
April 24th and 25th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Triton College
2000 Fifth Avenue, Northwest Student Parking Lot
River Grove, Illinois 60171
Items Accepted:
Items NOT Accepted:
Computer Equipment
Printers
Telephones
Answering Machines
Cellular Phones
Fax Machines
TVs and VCRs
Stereo Equipment
Software
Disks, CD’s, and Tapes
Refrigerators
Stoves
Dishwashers
Washing Machines
Dryers
Air Conditioners
Microwaves
Oversized Copiers
For more details contact:
West Cook County Solid Waste Agency
708-453-9100
www.westcook.org or MRK Group at www.mrkgroupltd.com
*Sponsored By the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency*
*Keep West Cook Beautiful* Triton College *Rhodes School District 84.5*
There is a small CO-PAY of $5.00 for each television and monitor .
GO
GREEN
to get our
globe clean…
go
paperless!
Signup for the E-Cooperator
Members
of
the
Cook
County Farm Bureau now
have an option when it comes
to delivery of the organization’s
publication, the Cooperator.
After 87 years of mailing the
publication, members can now
receive the publication via
e-mail. The publication, still
free to voting and associate
members will be sent to
those members requesting it
in an electronic format. Due
to the color and graphics,
we do suggest that members
requesting this new delivery
option have a high speed
connection with your system.
Using this system, we
can deliver Cooperators to
members much earlier in the
month because we are able to
by-pass the usual postal delays.
As a result, the information,
discounts, and programs will
be more timely and fresh for
member’s use.
Member’s interested in
signing up for this new delivery
system should send an e-mail
to [email protected].
Be sure to include your name,
address, phone, membership
number and e-mail address.
There is no cost to
members for this service and
individuals can “unsubscribe”
at any time.
Cook County Financial
Representatives of the Month
The Financial Representative of the Month program is designed by Country
Financial Agency Managers of Cook County to recognize overall Insurance
Leaders in Life, Disability, Auto, Home, and Health production during the
month. The agent earns the award through efforts to provide quality service to
existing and new clients. Listed below are the various agents honored by their
agency manager with the Financial Representative of the Month designation.
Ilir Numani
Chicago North Agency, Vicki Nygren, Agency Manager
Ilir Numani has been named Financial Representative of the
month for January 2009. His office is located at 4708 N.
Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60630. His phone number is
773.427.4364. Ilir has been an agent since April 2005.
David De Santiago
Chicago South Agency, Manuel Amezcua, Agency Manager
David De Santiago has been named Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 3458
S. Halsted Ave., Chicago, IL 60608. His phone number is
773.254.5810. David has been an agent since April 2008.
Bob Sitkiewicz
Glenview/Park Ridge Agencies, Mike Goss, Agency Manager
Bob Sitkiewicz has been named Employee Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 25 S.
Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. His phone number is
847.696.9484. Bob has been an agent since February 2005.
Matt Powell
Rolling Meadows, Jerry Anderson, Agency Manager
Matt Powell has been named Employee Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 2070 N.
Rand Road, Suite I, Palatine, IL 60074. His phone number is
847.934.5117. Matt has been an agent since February 2005.
Ray Massie
Rolling Meadows, Jerry Anderson, Agency Manager
Ray Massie has been named Career Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 2775
Algonquin Road, Suite 200, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. Ray
has been an agent since February 1999. His phone number is
847.483.0600.
Tony Nelson
Schaumburg Agency, Jack Smith, Agency Manager
Tony Nelson has been named Employee Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 2435 W.
Schaumburg Rd., Il. 60194. His phone number is 847.891.6870.
Tony has been an agent since August 2008.
Bob Riedel
Schaumburg Agency, Jack Smith, Agency Manager
Bob Riedel has been named Career Financial Representative of
the month for January 2009. His office is located at 2435 W.
Schaumburg Rd., Il. 60194. His phone number is 847.891.6360.
Bob has been an agent since July 2003.
Josh Van Namen
South Holland Agency, Joe Gergely, Agency Manager
Josh Van Namen has been named Employee Financial
Representative of the month for January 2009. His office is
located at 7012 W. 111th St. Worth, IL 60482. His phone
number is 708.361.3925. Josh has been an agent since January
2006.
Jim Verduin
South Holland Agency, Joe Gergely, Agency Manager
Jim Verduin has been named Career Financial Representative
of the month for January 2009. His office is located at 17080
South Park Ave., South Holland, IL 60473. His phone number
is 708.596.0008. Jim has been an agent since March 1982.
Change
your
address?
Don’t forget to include us
to let us know.
Contact us at
708.354.3276 ph
708.579.6056 fax
[email protected] email
AT&T offer for Cook County
Farm Bureau Members has a new
number to check your availability
in your area. Call 866.414.7340.
For more information contact:
Katie Smith, Director of Membership
6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, Il 60525
[email protected]
phone: 708.354.3276
fax:708.579.6056
Co-Operator March 2009
11
“485,000”
is the number
of Cooperators sent to
households in the last year!
It’s no wonder
the classified ad section
is so popular
with our members!
Classifieds
All items listed are for the accommodation
of the membership and without guarantee
of the publisher.
For Sale
American Gladiators Body Plus 50
in. Includes legs, butterfly and press
attachments. Plus stair stepper. No weights,
it uses resistance bands. Must sell. $200 or
best offer. Call 708.227.2705.
Michelin 2 new radial tires XCH4
P235/75R15 $75.00 or best offer. Call
708.594.2742.
Complete 10-gallon fish tank, $30; hand
push lawn mower $20; 1 large sofa like new
$50; brass and glass sofa table, brass and
glass lamp both $40; kitchen cabinet dark
wood, $50 for all. Call 630.202.5083
1999 2655 Cierra Bayliner Boat. Like
new condition with trailer. Approx. 120
hours use. Must see to appreciate, asking
$18,995.00. Call 630.920.4937.
4-Dressers excellent condition; 2-piece
china cabinet, $75; wooden table and
chairs 2 leaf $50; 5-wooden cushioned
chairs $40. Call 630.202.5083.
2 Bedroom, 1 bath condo with balcony, free
water and heat. $800/month. South Elgin.
Contact 630.440.4799 or 630.440.4267.
Maytag Washer 18 yrs old $75; Dell 17” Flat
Monitor, keyboard and mouse, $50; Queen
Air Mattress $20. Call 708.710.1928.
Outdoor storage, any size from 5’x5’x5’ and
up. Call 773.931.5192.
Call
Cub Cadet 1420 with bagger system, new
starter. $350. Call 847.769.0297
Treadmill for sale, Cadence Weslo DX3,
with timer and water bottle and more.
$100.00. Call 708.224.7456.
Two cemetery lots in Cedar Park,
Calumet Park, Hemlock Section $1500
for both. Buyer pays all transfer fees. Call
708.758.5490.
Commercial
815.372.2976
Meat
Slicer.
Disney Trading Pin Grab Bag $2.00 per pin.
Perfect for your next trip to Disneyworld or
Disneyland. The parks charge $5.95 and
up. All of our pins have the official Disney
copyright on the back and the rubber
Mickey backs. We have Hidden Mickey’s,
Limited editions and rack coins. If you have
any questions call 847.297.9690 or email
[email protected].
3” Drive Socket Set 15/16 to 1 7/8 and 2
3/8. $100; 150 ft of 5/16 chain, $75. Call
847.358.7032.
Burgundy Spa Cover, new, 77 _ x 79
_ ft, tapered, $300 or best offer. Call
847.368.9912.
4 Wrought Iron and Brown cloth bar or
counter stools, ornate. Paid over $100.
Best offer. Call 815.463.1230.
Singer portable sewing machine, 105
yrs old, great running shape $95. Call
708.479.0457.
Blue ipod nano 8GB, 4th generation
includes speaker with docking station, ear
plugs, power cord and $15.00 I-Tune gift
card. $200.00 Call 312.353.9607 x 251.
High intensity growlight by Hyrdofarmradiant model 21”x21x9. original price
$450. New in box, sell for $160. Call Joan
at 708.448.7378.
1 casement window, thermopane, approx.
4’x4’, $50; good clean golf balls, very
reasonable, many brands. Call 630-9691876.
Natural finish acoustic guitar, brand new,
never used, lifetime warranty. Beautiful
pearl-like inlays on headstock. Sounds
great. $149. Call 847.668.4519.
Cook County Farm Bureau
Ladies Golf Clubs, excellent condition.
$50.00. Call 847.255.8499.
Boats
For Rent
Luxury Cottage on pond in Geneva
National Golf Club, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, fully
equipped, beautiful setting, Call for rates
and availability. Call 630.985.8650.
Apt. $500 and $150 Utilities. Free cable,
Morton Grove, Golf & Harlem. Great
location. Call Bob or Lisa at 847.529.6105.
Arlington Heights townhome, 3000 sq. ft,
3 bedroom, 2 _ bth, 2nd unit , 8 rooms all
large, close to shopping, transportation,
quiet upscale neighborhood. $2,500 month.
Call 847.331.2218.
3 bedroom, 2 bath, house in Elgin. New
plumbing, electric, roof, HVAC, Central
Air, new Oak floors, absolutely gorgeous.
$1,350. Call 847.769.0297.
2 plots in Hemlock Garden of the Chapel
section of Cedar Park, 12540 S. Halsted,
Calumet Park. Current price $1,725 per
plot. Buyer pays all transfer fees. Am willing
to negotiate price, make an offer. Call
708.306.0248.
Vacation
Rentals/Sales
Free 7 ft. Mountain King Christmas Tree
(unassembled, in boxes) 41 branches,
complete with stand and more than 800
multi-colored lights. Call 708.798.0247.
Fiesta Dinnerware place setting $8.00,
platters $10.00, bowls $10.00; side by
side Fridge with ice maker $75.00; Ikea
Kitchen table $20; Coffee table $20.00. Call
708.922.9325.
Delta faucets. Entire new home, switched
to different finish. Make an offer on these
new chrome faucets. Call 630.479.6769.
Automotives
and
Accessories
1988 Dodge Cargo Van V8, white some
rust, good work van. $600 or best offer. Call
847.769.0297.
1973 Grand Prix in good condition, all
original, 120,000 miles $6,500. Call
708.334.7273.
Brand new Goodyear tire on new rim
Invicta Gl-Blackwall, P195/70R14 –
M&S for Chrysler product. $50 firm. Call
708.758.5490.
Benefit of the Month
Spot Light
Each month, we will be highlighting one of our Cook County Farm Bureau benefits to
help members better take advantage of the many opportunities and advantages offered to
members of the organization. Should you have any questions regarding this or any other
benefits, please contact your Cook County Farm Bureau Member Service Center at 708354-3276.
Filters4Life.com
Did you know that the build-up of dust and dirt can be damaging to
your heating and cooling equipment, contributing to increased and expensive
maintenance or premature failure. Filters4Life.com can help Cook
County Farm Bureau members with your air furnace and humidifier needs!
Simply go to Filters4Life.com or call 866.585.8999 to place your order
and receive a 10% discount by using coupon code CCFB.
Filters4Life.com offers an extensive variety of filters including
manufacturers like Aerostar, Americare, Aprilaire, Bryant, Carrier, Cimatec,
Dynamic, Enviracaire, GENERALAire, Healthy Climate, Honeywell,
Lennox, Premier One, Space-Gard, Totalline, Trion and more.
Also, Filters4Life.com offers “We remember so you don’t have to”
Auto ship program (How to & benefits):
1. Find & purchase your filter and choose the one with the “Auto ship” after
the model #.
2. When that filter should be changed we will automatically ship you a
replacement.
3. You get quantity discount pricing for joining.
4. You don’t need to remember when to re-order or when to change your
filter.
5. Replacing your furnace filter when recommended means proper maintenance
of equipment.
6. Replacing your furnace filter when recommended means lower utility
bills.
7. Most of all it means you will be breathing cleaner - healthier air.
Planning a Disney World Vacation? The
Annual Flower and Garden Show is a
perfect reason and you can reserve this
beautiful 3 bedroom/2 bath condo just 5
miles from the parks. Enjoy being close
to all Central Florida attractions at the low
weekly rate of $650. Please call for a color
brochure and information. 708-704-6239.
Michigan inland lakefront cottage near
Southhaven. Large lot. Reduced to $95,000.
Call 708.703.1819 or 708.448.7378.
Gramp’s Little Log Cabin, Hayward, WI area.
Max 4 people, two bdr. One bath, sitting
on 400’ shoreline; non-smokers, no pets,
62+ 10% discount. Weekend $300, weekly
$600, fishing boat included, marine rentals
available. Call for details 715.766.2932.
email: [email protected]; www.
vrbo.com/45158.
3 bedroom house in Pentwold, MI for $800
per week. Call 630.257.6487.
Homes/
Condos For
Sale
Condo for Sale: beautiful penthouse, 2
floors, 2,500 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath,
fireplace, all newer appliances, 2 _ car
heated garage, sun room. Many amenities.
Located in Orland Park. $229,900. Call
708.955.4911.
Oak Lawn Condo, handicapped accessible,
2 bdr, 2 bth, flexicore, 1st floor, large eat in
kitchen, heated garage, near transportation.
6211 W. 94th St. Building 8 years old.
Reduced $199,000. Call 708.860.1212.
Lansing, 2-story 3 bedroom, 2 full bath,
1 whirlpool tub, 10x10 private balcony off
29x12 master bedroom, fenced in corner
lot, 2 _ car garage with private entrance.
$144,000. Call 219.884.4529.
3 bedroom, 2 bath with 2 car garage near
Galena, IL. Listed by Eagle Ridge Realty.
$85,000. Call 815.275.2026
Wanted
Wanted: Looking to rent condo or house in
Florida, sometime in winter for possibly 2-3
weeks or more. Call 815.344.2228.
Wanted: old trains, old toys, older hot
wheels little cars, also older guitars, etc.
Call 708.361.8230.
Aurora townhome – adult community,
1600 sq ft with full basement, 2 bdr/2bth.
Cathedral ceiling in great room. Master
suite with private ceramic bath, tray ceiling,
walk in closet. All appliances included.
Many extras. Serious buyers only. Call
630.499.1481.
FREE Classified Ads
for Cook County Farm Bureau members
All Cook County Farm Bureau members may run two non-commercial classified ads
annually free in the Cooperator. Only items of personal property will be accepted.
Category:
For Sale
For Rent
Wanted
Name _______________________________ Phone _______________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Ad ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Complete the above form and mail to:
Cook County Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
or phone your ad in to the office at 708-354-FARM.
Non-member ad rate: $25.00 per ad.
Cook County Farm Bureau and Mayflower Tours
present three opportunities for Travel
The Canadian Rockies – July 25-31, 2009
Preview night: Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 p.m.
Lower Level Conference Room at Cook County
Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside,
60525. Call to reserve your spot at 708.354.3276.
7 Days – 8 Meals. Visit Calgary, Travel the Icefields
Parkway, cruise the glacial waters of Maligne Lake in
glass enclosed boats; Tour Banff National Park and
more. This trip includes a professional tour manager,
free home or local pickup, round trip airfare from
Chicago. $2964 based upon double occupancy. Call
708.354.3276 to make your reservations for preview
night.
New England Rails and Sails – October 3-10,
2009
Preview night: Tuesday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m.
Lower Level Conference Room at Cook County
Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside,
60525. Call to reserve your spot at 708.354.3276.
8 Days – 11 Meals. Travel by historic rails and
scenic sails as we explore the sights and sounds
of New England. This trip includes private Tour
Manager, free home or local pickup, and roundtrip
airfare from Chicago. $2148 per person based on
double occupancy. Call 708.354.3276 to make your
reservations for preview night.
Panama Canal and the hidden Caribbean Cruise –
November 3-13, 2009
Preview night: Tuesday, May 26th at 6:00 p.m.
Lower Level Conference Room at Cook County
Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside,
60525. Call to reserve your spot at 708.354.3276.
11 Days – 29 Meals. Discover Panama Canal from
Holland America’s Private Island of Half Moon
Cay to the unspoiled charms of Costa Rica. This
trip includes private Tour Manager, free home or
local pickup and roundtrip airfare from Chicago. If
booked by 3/31/09, the early bird price saves you
$100 per person based upon inside, outside, or deluxe
outside w/veranda cabins. Call 708.354.3276 to
make your reservations for preview night.
A nice showing of members participated in
the Member Relations Team document Shred
Day on January 24th at the offices of the Oak
Forest/South Holland Country Financial
Agency. The program was held for members
who had accumulated documents and were
concerned with confidentiality; identify theft,
and related issues. Another Shred Day will be
held this summer in the Northwest Suburb.
Watch this publication for details.
The Cooperator, official publication of the Cook County Farm Bureau, does accept paid advertising. A copy of the 2009 rate card may be accessed at
www.cookcfb.org in News and Views or call the CCFB office at 708.354.3276 for a copy. The publication goes to more than 40,000 households each month.
Co-Operator March 2009
12
Cook County Farm Bureau
Cook County Farm Bureau Membership helps “stretch”
your hard earned dollar further in this economy!
Save with Member-Only Discounts
Health & Wellness Value for Your Lifestyle
Up to 50%* Off Prescriptions
with ScriptSave®
Up to 50% off LASIK Surgery
Up to 30% off Vision
To sign up and obtain your ScriptSave®
card, call your county Farm Bureau or
visit www.scriptsave.com and log-in
using Group #162W.
See the great savings with corrective surgery.
1-877-507-4448
Identify yourself as an IFB member.
www.qualsight.com/-fb
Save on frames and lenses at Sears,
Pearle Vision, JCPenney & Target
Optical stores.
www.eyebenefits.info
Group Code: CBDFB
Obtain Eye Benefits card from your
local county Farm Bureau office or
online at www.ilfb.org
Up to 50% Off Prescriptions
with RxSavingsPlus
20% off Beltone Hearing Aids
To see how much you would save on
your own prescription medications,
call toll-free 1-877-673-3688, visit
www.rxsavingsplus.com or ask at your
local pharmacy. Contact your county
Farm Bureau to obtain a prescription card.
FSMB5093
s&REEHEARINGSCREENINGS
s'OODFORIMMEDIATEFAMILYTOO
sLOCATIONSIN)LLINOIS
1-800-BELTONE
www.beltone.com
* Based on national program savings data. DISCOUNT ONLY – NOT INSURANCE. The ScriptSave program is not an insurance policy and does not provide insurance
coverage. Discounts are available exclusively through participating pharmacies.
Home & Business Value for Your Lifestyle
A Valuable Offer Worth
up to $750 from GM
Illinois Farm Bureau members can
get a $750* private offer toward the
purchase or lease of any new GM
E85† FlexFuel vehicle. Or get a $500*
private offer toward the purchase or
lease of most new GM vehicles, now
including hybrids. GM features a
growing lineup of hybrid cars, trucks
and SUVs that provide great fuel
economy. Start saving today. Private
offer available 1/3/09 to 1/4/10. To
redeem, provide your GM dealer with
your authorization number, available
at gmfleet.com/ilfb.
*You must be a member of ILFB for at least 120 days prior
to date of delivery to be eligible for this private offer. $500
or $750 private offer valid toward the purchase or lease of
eligible new 2008, 2009 and 2010 model year GM passenger car and light duty truck models. Limited availability on
hybrids. Customers must take delivery by January 4, 2010.
Not compatible with other private offers. Not valid on prior
purchases. Compatible with some current incentives. Incentives subject to change. Excludes Cadillac CTS-V; Chevrolet
Corvette ZR1; HUMMER H1; Saturn vehicles and medium
duty trucks. See dealer for complete details. † E85 ethanol is
85% ethanol, 15% gasoline. Go to gm.com/biofuels to see if
there is an E85 station near you.
10% off Grainger
Case IH Discounts
Discount taken off catalog prices.
FREE shipping on internet orders.
1-866-217-3435
www.grainger.com
Your IFB #853007128
$300 off DXE/DX Series and Farmall Compact
Tractors 18-60 hp
$500 off J and Farmall Series Tractors
45-90 PTO hp
$500 off Maxxum Series 90-120 PTO hp
www.caseih.com/na
7% off Dell
Save on computers, software and other
Dell merchandise.
1-800-695-8133
www.dell.com/ilfb/members
Your IFB #PS65777730
IAA Credit Union
Save with competitive rates on credit
cards, mortgages, auto loans, and more.
1-800-676-2541
www.iaacu.org
25% off Sherwin-Williams
Show your membership card at the store for
instant savings. (Duration Paints, Colors To
Go, and sale items not included.)
Travel & Entertainment Value for Your Lifestyle
Up to 20% off Car Rentals
20% off Choice Hotels®
Advance reservations required.
1-800-258-2847
Your IFB #00800614
www.choicehotel.com
10% off the “Best Available Rate”
at Wyndham Hotel Group
Advance reservations required.
1-877-670-7088
Your IFB #60841
10% off LaQuinta Inn & Suites
Advance reservations required.
1-800-531-5900
State you are an ILFB member
www.lq.com
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1 800 Rent-A-Car
Your IFB #ILFARM
enterprise.com
Alamo Rent A Car
1-800-354-2322
Your IFB #ILFARM
alamo.com/offer/ilfb
National Car Rental
1-800-CAR-RENT
Your IFB #ILFARM
nationalcar.com/offer/ilfb
Hertz
1-800-654-2210
Your CDP #27628
hertz.com
Refer to ilfb.org or Cook County Farm Bureau for terms and availability. Benefits may change without notice.
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