News

MCFB welcomes Ziller as this year's Summer Intern

Submitted by mchenrycfb on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 21:16

Hello my name is Colleen Ziller and I live on a dairy farm in Huntley IL where we milk 50 cows and grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. One of my biggest passions is my cows. I love showing them and watching them grow up into excellent animals.  It is a great feeling of accomplishment. My goal is to breed a World Dairy Expo champion. It’s a big goal and will take many many many years, but hard work always pays off. I just graduated from MCC this spring with an Associate’s degree in Science. I am now deciding between several universities where I will be double majoring in animal science and Ag business. Growing up I was very active in 4-H where I held several officer positions and exhibited my animals at the local county fair. I’ve been showing cows since I was 8 years old, and still continue to show. Every year I look forward to indulging in a pork burger and vanilla milkshake from the Farm Bureau’s food booth. I also have shown pigs and steers in my 4-H days. When I entered high school, I became a member of FFA where I served as vice president for my senior year. I was an active member in the Illinois Jr. Holstein Association, and held the positions of secretary and reporter. I participated in state quiz bowl competitions where I placed high enough to represent Illinois at several National Holstein Conventions. I am also a member of the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association. Just like every other girl I do enjoy shopping. I love getting together with friends, grilling out, bonfires, and reading. I’m very excited to be this year’s intern. Enjoy your summer.

IDOA SCHEDULES CLEAN SWEEP COLLECTION IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Submitted by mchenrycfb on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 16:48

Residents of eight northern Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Pesticide Clean Sweep program.
A Clean Sweep collection has been scheduled in late summer for Boone, DeKalb, Kane, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties, the department announced today. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.
"There are two, big reasons to take advantage of this program," Warren Goetsch, bureau chief of Environmental Programs, said. "First, it's free. If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, the cost would be expensive. But the department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant it obtained from the U.S. EPA. Second, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected."
Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by July 13. Registration is required to give the waste disposal contractor time to prepare for the different kinds of materials that will need to be handled. Forms can be obtained either by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934 or visiting one of the program sponsors listed below.
Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The mailing address is: Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281. The fax number is (217) 524-4882.
Participants then will be sent a reservation card indicating the date, time and location of their collection.
McHenry County Clean Sweep Sponsors:

McHenry County Farm Bureau
1102 McConnell Rd.
Woodstock, IL 60098

McHenry County SWCD
1648 S. Eastwood Dr.
Woodstock, IL 60098

U of I Extension
Lake-McHenry Unit
1102 McConnell Rd.
Woodstock, IL 60098

Harvard Milk Days Kicks Off Today.

Submitted by mchenrycfb on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 16:22

It all began in the spring of 1942 when people got together to honor the area farmers for their "War Effort" of increasing milk and food production for the servicemen. At that time there were seven dairy companies within a 15-mile radius of Harvard and more milk was being produced there than anywhere in the United States. Harvard became the self-proclaimed "Milk Center of the World!"
Milk Days grew through the forties and during the fifties mirrored a decade of good times and growth, within Harvard and the country as a whole. The ninth annual festival in 1950, marked the first open cattle show; 165 cattle were entered that year. The Milk Maid Style Show began in 1953, the Dairy Derby Weight Loss contest added a year later. A record 75,000 people attended Milk Day in 1956 celebrating Harvard's Centennial.
By the 60's Harvard continued to claim its title to "Milk Center of the World", as it saluted more than 160 dairy farmers within Harvard School District during the 1966 Silver anniversary. The 1966 festival was dedicated to Louis Simonini, who originated and organized past Milk Day parades and served as the general chairman four times. The dairy princess contest was held for the first time in 1960. Farm tours of area dairy operations became a Milk Day tradition in 1967.
1970, introduced Harvard's famous fiberglass cow, Harmilda. The first annual Milk Days Horse Show was held in 1974. The Milk Run, which featured a 2 and 7 mile run was introduced in 1978. The 1976 bicentennial celebration of the United States featured Susan Ford, daughter of President Gerald Ford.
The 80's marked the addition of some of Milk Days favorite events, bed races, big wheel races, the tractor pull, sock hop and the Milk Days roast. Milk Days continued into the 90's and now into the 2000's stronger than ever. The huge crowds continue to come the first weekend in June.
This year's event will be June 1st, 2nd, & 3rd, visit milkdays.com for more information.

McHenry County Farm Bureau is celebrating Ag Week from March 19-25th

Submitted by mchenrycfb on Mon, 03/19/2012 - 20:02

What Is Ag Week All About?

Ag Week is about recognizing - and celebrating - the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. Our Ag Week program encourages every American to:
• Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
• Value the essential role of agriculture in the economy.
• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

Why Celebrate Agriculture?

Von Bergen among 2012 Master Farmers

Submitted by mchenrycfb on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 19:23

Four Illinois farmers including Mel Von Bergen of Hebron have been selected as 2012 Master Farmers by Prairie Farmer magazine. Other award recipients include Scott Bidner, Champaign (Champaign County); Tim Lenz, Strasburg (Shelby County) and Tim Seifert, Auburn (Sangamon County);

Candidates are nominated by farmers, agribusiness leaders and agricultural extension specialists from throughout the state.