McHenry County Farm Bureau held a meeting with Congressman Mark Kirk, candidate for U.S. Senate, on the 17th of September. Area farmers and elected officials discussed key issues with Congressman such as Estate Tax, Renewable Fuels, Clean Water, Free Trade Agreements and Form 1099 requirement repeal.
On Friday, August 20, Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) hosted members from the McHenry and Cook County Farm Bureaus for a tour of her district. The group met at Rep. Mell's office where she provided them with an overview of her district. Their first stop was at Cretor's Manufacturing, a family owned business that has been in Chicago for 125 years. Cretor's manufactures food concessions equipment and are most well known for their popcorn poppers and technological advancements in the popcorn making industry. The group then headed over to the 17th District Police Station where they discussed public safety and crime concerns in the area. Lunch was held at the famous Smoque BBQ where the Farm Bureau members were able to sample some of the best brisket and ribs in Chicago. The final stop was at a neighborhood garden that is run by volunteers who donate the vegetables to a local food pantry. The group presented Rep. Mell with her Friend of Ag Award and thanked her for her support of agricultural issues.
Rep. Mell is looking forward to visiting McHenry County this fall and plans to bring some of her staff with her. Tentative plans are to tour a dairy, grain farm and meet with some specialty growers.
In mid-September, 17 members of the Illinois Farm Bureau®, along with several IFB staff members, traveled to Washington, DC, where they met with members of Illinois' Congressional delegation to discuss issues important to farmers and to ask for their support on upcoming legislation. Audrey Davis, McHenry County Farm Bureau Board Member and Women's Committee Representative, was among those who traveled to Washington from September 14-16, 2010, as part of IFB's Leaders to Washington program.
An early planting season combined with good seasonal weather is allowing area farmers to start their corn harvest two to three weeks earlier than normal. This means that area farmers will be utilizing local, county and state roads to transport their trucks, tractors, combines and wagons throughout the fall.
All of these factors pose concern for the safety of farmers and motorists who will be sharing the roads. Therefore, the McHenry County Farm Bureau would like to share these driving tips with motorists in an attempt to avoid accidents.
On-farm fuel storage plans needed by Nov. 10
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule that governs oil and fuel storage for many businesses, including farms.
