Warren Henderson Farm Bureau® has worked with Rockford Map Publishers on new 2021 plat books. The plat books are available for purchase at W-HFB Monmouth and Stronghurst offices. Plat Books are $28.00 (this includes tax) for members and $40.00 (this includes tax) for non-members. Shipping options are available, visit whfarmbureau.org or call W-HFB for information. A plat book can be found by clicking here.

Taken only once every 5 years, Census of Agriculture data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities — federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, and many others.

• Farmers and ranchers can use Census of Agriculture data to make informed decisions about the future of their own operations.
• Companies and cooperatives use the data to determine where to locate facilities that will serve agricultural producers.
• Community planners use the information to target needed services to rural residents.
• Legislators use census data when shaping farm policies and programs.

February 6th is the deadline to submit your Census of Agriculture. Be sure to get your Census of Agriculture filled out! Visit https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/ for more information.

The objective of the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau® Foundation scholarship program is to provide financial assistance through scholarships to our members or their dependents who are entering or attending college and majoring in Agriculture or Agribusiness. W-HFB Foundation & Memorial Scholarship information can be found on this website via the Foundation tab. Applications are due by February 28, 2023.

The Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau oversees the Evelyn Titus Memorial Scholarship. Evelyn K. Titus, a long-time resident of Warren County, passed away in 1992 and directed that proceeds from her estate establish a scholarship for a male and female Warren County resident continuing education in agriculture or family & consumer sciences. Evelyn K. Titus information can be found on this website via the Foundation tab. Applications are due by February 28, 2023.

Since 2019, Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau (FB) has been evaluating many aspects of nitrogen (N) management practices, specifically the source and rate of N application for corn. The goal of this project has been to identify N source and application rates that produce highest profitability while providing sufficient N for plant uptake. As the project wraps up, Warren-Henderson FB has extensive soil and corn tissue test data, yield measurements, and profit calculations to share with area producers.

To review this data, a meeting will be held on February 22nd at the W-H Farm Bureau auditorium in Monmouth (1000 N Main St.) from 12:00-2:00pm. A keynote presentation will be provided by Dr. Connor Sible. Dr. Sible is advised by Dr. Fred Below in the Crop Physiology Lab at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research program focuses on high yield corn and soybean systems. During the meeting, he will provide growers with information about optimizing Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) without impacting yield.

There is no cost to attend this meeting, please RSVP to W-HFB at 309-734-9401 or whfb@whfarmbureau.org by February 17th. Lunch will be provided.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the U of I Extension are teaming up to offer pesticide training and/or testing (PSEP). Registration is now open for testing (test only) in Monmouth at the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau auditorium on Monday, February 27th. Upcoming testing only events include:

February 27 - 9:00am at the W-H Farm Bureau Auditorium in Monmouth (1000 N Main St.)

February 28 - 9:00am at the Knox County Agri Center in Galesburg (180 S. Soangetaha Rd.)

To view a full list of testing and/or training dates and to register, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/psep. Contact U of I Extension at 309-734-5161 or 309-309-924-1163 with questions.

According to the Livestock Management Facilities Act, livestock facilities in Illinois that house 300 or more animal units (for example, 750 finishing hogs, 214 dairy cows, or 300 beef cattle) are required to have at least one person certified in the environmental protection aspects manure management. The certificate is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and is valid for three years.
The Certified Livestock Manager is expected to be a full-time employee who is familiar with the manure management system of the farm, accessible by phone, and located within a one-hour driving distance to the farm. Young family members (under 18 years old) are welcome to take the training, but they cannot be the only certified manager at their facilities.
To become a certified livestock manager:

• 300-999 animal units: attend a workshop or complete online training
• ≥ 1,000 animal units: attend a workshop and pass IDOA's paper-based test offered immediately following each workshop or complete online training and pass the online test.

A CLMT workshop will be held locally on Wednesday, February 8th at the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Bldg., 1000 N Main St., Monmouth. On the day of the workshop, registration will open at 8:30 a.m. with training program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. For additional information and to register, Click Here to register.

The IAA (Illinois Agricultural Association) Foundation endeavors to enhance the future of agriculture by providing college scholarships to Illinois Farm Families, Illinois Farm Bureau members, spouses, or their children who major in agriculture, agribusiness, or an ag-related course of study. This year there are 100 agricultural scholarships available, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, that will be awarded in total of $201,501 for the 2023-2024 school year. A full listing of scholarships and eligibility guidelines is available at www.iaafoundation.org. The deadline to submit an application is February 15, 2023.

The 2023 Women in Agriculture Conference will be at Bally's Quad Cities on Friday, March 24th. Visit womeninagricultureconference.com for more details & to register!

The Tri-County Cattlemen are hosting their annual Banquet on February 18, 2023 at Western Illinois University Grand Ballroom. This year the banquet will feature a social hour (5:00pm), ribeye dinner, an auction to raise funds for scholarships, and a keynote speaker. Tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase online at www.tricountycattlemen.com/banquet.

Sponsored by the DTN/Progressive Farmer magazine, the program recognizes the work and contributions of agriculture's young farmers and ranchers.
By Dan Miller, Senior Editor of DTN/Progressive Farmer

NASHVILLE, Tennessee— Jared and Rachel Kunkle, Monmouth, Illinois have been named to the 2023 class of America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. The program is sponsored by DTN/Progressive Farmer. The Kunkles are recognized for their work in building an efficient and profitable first-generation farm as an effective team and for giving back to their town through Community Care Days.
To read the full write-up on the Kunkles, click here.

06.13.22 Press Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - June 13, 2022 - After undergoing a rigorous judging process, 20 farmers were identified as the first class of Illinois 20 Under 40 award winners.
From a corn and soybean farmer in Viola to a beef farmer in Lawrenceville, there was no shortage of variety among our 2022 winners. They're agricultural leaders, exceptional community citizens and role models for their generation and the next. They're upholding traditions, starting their own and helping their neighbors out along the way.

To read more about the winners, including Monmouth's own Tyler Schleich,click here.

Ron Moore recently completed his tenure as an Illinois representative for the American Soybean Association (ASA). Ron has served the soybean industry since the fall of 1999 when he was first appointed to fill out an unexpired term of a District Director. Through his service for ASA, Ron has served as the organization's Secretary, Vice President, President and Chairman.

To read more about Ron's service, click here.

December 7th, 2022
By Ann Y. Robinson, Iowa State University Writer

When Emma Parkins walks across the stage Dec. 16 during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduation ceremony, she may be reflecting on the event as one of her “full circle” moments.
Parkins is the fall 2022 recipient of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council Outstanding Senior Award in recognition of her leadership and efforts to encourage professional advancement for women in agriculture. She is graduating with a major in agricultural and life sciences education - communication option, and a minor in events management.
To read more about Emma's accomplishment(s), click here.

CHICAGO – Delegates and members attending the 108th Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) Annual Meeting celebrated progress while looking toward the future as the organization’s traditional grassroots process returned for an entirely in-person event for its 2022 annual meeting. To read more about the IAA Annual Meeting,click here.

Illinois Farm Bureau is proud to highlight the work our members are doing to improve soil health and water quality through a documentary titled “Sustaining Our Future: A Farm Family Story,” which debuted Dec. 3 at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

Illinois farmers have a proven track record when it comes to caring for our natural resources. Whether implementing new solutions to utilize fertilizer efficiently, install conservation practices, or engage in meaningful discussions with university researchers and industry partners, farmer efforts continue to drive innovative solutions that improve their farms while protecting the environment.

Illinois Farm Bureau members can help amplify the story by viewing and sharing the video from the IFB YouTube channel here: youtube.com/ILFarmBureauIFB.

Farmers, help a medical student by taking a healthcare survey. Samantha Andersen is a 3rd-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine – Rockford and hopes to practice in the Galesburg area after her residency. She is conducting a research project aimed at our local farming communities: 

Previous research has shown that men and women living in rural areas have higher rates of chronic disease and related mortality rates than their urban counterparts. Research has also shown that exercise is a preventative measure for many of these diseases. However, the farming population has remained largely unstudied in both of these areas. With my project, I am aiming to investigate farming men and women’s physical activity levels and chronic disease prevalence in this community. The project will also discover any barriers to physical activity and accessing healthcare. The answers to these questions can guide healthcare treatment and identify the barriers that need to be addressed to decrease chronic disease in the farming population. 

The link to take this anonymous survey can be found by clicking here. There are also paper copies of this survey available at W-HFB Monmouth and Stronghurst offices. With any questions, please email sande25@uic.edu. Thank you for helping Samantha with this project! 

Truck drivers are critical for transporting farm commodities, inputs, and food throughout our state and nation. Without truck drivers, the entire supply chain weakens. The Driving Agriculture Forward Scholarship Program, funded by the Illinois Farm Bureau, offsets the cost of required commercial truck driver training and ensures more well-trained, safe drivers are available to drive agriculture forward.

The IAA Foundation, in partnership with the Illinois Soybean Association, is pleased to offer twenty $2,000 awards to students enrolled at an Illinois Community College Truck Driver Training for 2023.

Click here to learn more.

Illinois growers and grower farm operators who transport or apply anhydrous ammonia, or otherwise maintain anhydrous ammonia equipment, now are required by state regulation (8 IAC 215) to complete Certified Grower Training.

Growers and grower farm operators have until April 1, 2022 to become certified. Their certification will be good for three years from the date they complete the training, after which time they will need to participate in a refresher course.

Certified Grower Training will be delivered through both online and in-person instruction at no cost to the grower or grower farm operator. Growers and grower farm operators can choose whichever method they prefer.

Learn more information by clicking here.

Illinois Farm Bureau will host a series of two-hour programs focusing on transportation laws and regulations as they pertain to the agricultural industry. The Rules for the Road Seminar will cover recent changes, as well as some of the more established but still misunderstood rules. Topics will include the USDOT Number, UCR registration, Entry Level Driver Training, and driver’s license classifications, to name a few.

Rules for the Road seminars are open to all Illinois Farm Bureau members. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required. The closest session to Warren-Henderson counties will be held in Knox County at the Knox Agri Center on Thursday, March 15th at 6:00pm. Contact Knox County Farm Bureau at 309-342-2036 to register. The 6:00pm meeting on Wednesday, March 1st, will be available virtually; contact W-HFB at 309-734-9401 or whfb@whfarmbureau.org to register.

The Western Illinois Beekeepers Association cordially invites you to attend their monthly meetings. They are held the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau building., 1000 N. Main St., Monmouth, Illinois. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Upcoming event:
Saturday, March 4, 8:00am until 12:00pm held at the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau building. Free beginning beekeeping class, taught by Bernie Andrew, state bee inspector. This class is sponsored by the Western Illinois Beekeepers Association.

All events are free and open to the public. Contact Jan Arteaga at 309-313-3648 or arteaga618@gmail.com with questions or to register for an event.