By Mike Orso
A “Who’s Who” of the northeast Illinois farming and food community crowded the Moose Family Center in Harvard on Saturday, March 8 for the McHenry County Farm Bureau’s (MCFB) 2nd Annual Draw Down. The organization sold 245 tickets at $100 each to raise funds that will help support its foundation. Proceeds will help fund the MCFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom program aimed at increasing agricultural literacy across McHenry County, along with organization scholarships and its college student internship program.
“It exceeded our expectations,” said Woodstock farmer Chris McKee, MCFB president. “I think it was a lot of fun. A lot of networking took place and it was just really a great event.”
Known as a “reverse raffle,” each Draw Down paid participant’s name, placed next to a number, filled a board on a stage in the front of the hall. DJ Greg Koeppen of Medley’s in Motion and executive director of the Lake County Farm Bureau, assisted by county fair queens and Hebron FFA students, drew numbers throughout the evening as participants imbibed and dined on a meal that included prime rib and fried shrimp. Lottery balls with numbers were drawn from a raffle drum, placing ticket holds on the winners/losers board. In total, 20 cash prizes were awarded amounting to $8,500.
Rockford area farmer Brent Pollard outlasted all participants in the random drawing and claimed the top prize of $2,500. First runner up Royce Madula of Richmond, won $1,500, with second runner up Jeff Heinsohn, a farmer from Kirkland, winning $1,000. Heinsohn and Madula donated half of their winnings back, with Pollard, who also serves on the Illinois Farm Bureau board of directors, donating his entire $2,500 prize to the MCFB Foundation.
“That was just awesome,” said McKee about the contributions from the top three winners. “It sure helps the foundation and we appreciate it very much.”
Guest speakers throughout the evening included Ogle County farmer Brian Duncan, who serves as president of the Bloomington-based Illinois Farm Bureau, and Michael Buehler of Crystal Lake, who serves as chairman of the McHenry County Board.
“Well, I think the county really truly recognizes the importance of the agricultural community, it’s $200 million annual economic impact on the county,” said Buehler in an interview following his remarks to the group. “In the county, we are basically two counties where we have exurban areas and rural agricultural areas as well. We want to make sure we recognize the different needs of the different areas of our county.”
The county board chairman believes innovation is taking place and new opportunities exist for those currently involved and for those who want to be involved in the county’s farming and food arena.
“You know, 20 years ago agritourism in McHenry County was very small,” he said. “But it’s growing by leaps and bounds every year. We have people coming from all over the world to visit our corn mazes, our sunflower mazes in the county. I think it’s just a great way to highlight the industry.”
For many the event served as a date-night-out since it was for adults only and attracted farmers and other agricultural supporters ranging from the greatest generation to baby boomers and generations X, Y and Z.
“This is the first time we’ve come, this is new to me,” said Patricia Beard of Hebron. She serves as chairman of the MCFB Women’s Committee and attended the Draw Down this year with her husband Charles. “We’re having a good time and learning a lot. I am very surprised by the age difference of the people here, the diversity.”
Here is a list of the top 10 MCFB Draw Down winners:
10. Jerry Gieseke, $100
9. Tammy Ortmann, $200
8. Jason Skamra, $300
7. Jamie Nepperman, $500
6. Jillianne Klinefelter, $500
5. Brett Simons, $500
4. Nick Baker, $500
3. Jeff Heinsohn, $1,000 (donated half)
2. Royce Madula, $1,500 (donated half)
1. Brent Pollard, $2,500 (donated all)
A date has already been set for next year’s Draw Down. It will take place on Saturday, March 7.
Approximately 275 people participated in the 2025 MCFB Draw Down at the Moose Family Center in Harvard on March 8. Mike Buehler, McHenry County Board Chairman, addressed the group.