Coffee and conversation: Spring is coming – Entertainment and life – Standard Journal

It certainly begins to look more and more like spring. This means that farmers are busy preparing the planting season.

Farmers are masters in adjustment. They often adjust farm plans due to weather, equipment failures and even the occasional loose animal. Farmers remind us to be flexible and adjust when necessary. As spring approaches, farmers will start planting, which means there will be more equipment on the roads while moving from field to field. If you see these “slow moving vehicles” or “SMVs”, please slow down, move around and provide space for them. This will help keep all parts safe during the planting season.

The Stephenson County Farm Bureau will make adjustments to the extended Shelter and Home order as our staff will continue to work remotely. Remember that our staff can help you with all your agricultural office needs. We hope to resume normal business hours on May 1, however, only time will tell. The Stephenson County Farm Bureau team misses our wonderful members and we hope to see you again soon.

COVID-19 Resources: The Illinois Farm Bureau has created a COVID-19 resource page at ilfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources. On this web page you will find information about COVID-19 and several topics, including biofuels, economic impacts, environmental rules and resources, local food, mental health and much more. Additionally, the Illinois Farm Bureau provided daily updates on coronaviruses on the RFD of the RFD Radio Network today, so be sure to log in as you can. If you can’t listen live, you can find recordings at farmweeknow.com/podcasts.

The 5K / 10K race from Bruce Johnson Memorial Farm to Farm has been postponed: The new date for the race is June 13. We hope to have a great participation for this event. The registration deadline to guarantee a t-shirt and finisher medal is May 29. If you are interested in participating in the race, registration can be completed on runsignup.com or by printing a paper registration on our website at stephensoncfb.org.

Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program: Quality health care is an increasing need in rural communities, and they are not just looking for doctors. This program, which began in 1992, aims to encourage and develop a pool of rural health practitioners to help meet the primary care needs in rural Illinois. Based on the selection made by the scholarship committee, a grant of $ 4,000 will be paid directly to the beneficiary’s educational institution offering the approved nurse practitioner program. Payment will be made in two installments, the first in September and the second in January of the academic year. With each payment, the student agrees to sign a promissory note. The grants come from the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program. Applications and additional information are available at www.rimsap.com. Applications are expected on May 1.

Door County Early Booking Discount Extension: The early booking discount of $ 50 per person for our trip to Door County from July 27 to 30 has been extended to April 22. If you pay for your trip in full before April 22, you will receive the $ 50. For more information on this and other trips, please visit stephensoncfb.org or call our office and we will send you a flyer.

Scholarships are now available: the Stephenson County Agricultural Bureau Foundation offers scholarships to high school graduates and continuing education students. These scholarship applications can be picked up at our office at 210 W. Spring St., Freeport, or printed from our stephensoncfb.org website under the “News” tab. The deadline for high school graduates is April 17, and the deadline for college students is June 1, an extended deadline. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call our office at 815-232-3186 or email [email protected] and ask for Victoria.

The deadline is extended to register soon: The last day to register for the Shipshewana Amish bus trip is April 17. This trip takes place from June 8 to 10. Highlights include dinner and show at the Blue Gate Theater, a day of sightseeing, including stops at the Dutch market, Woodworking Tea Berry and Heritage Hall cheese, the famous Shipshewana flea market and more ! Our group will stay at the Farmstead Inn which is within walking distance of shopping and downtown Shipshewana. Prices vary depending on the occupancy of the room. Non-members pay $ 40 more. The occupancy of a single room is $ 500 / person, the occupancy of a double room is $ 375 / person, the occupancy of a triple room is $ 340 / person and the occupancy of a quadruple room is $ 325 / person. The price includes transportation by coach, accommodation for two nights with breakfast, dinner and show at the Blue Gate Theater, visit to Amish with lunch, Amish dinner and all tips and refreshments on the bus. Meals during the trip to and from Shipshewana are not included. The final registration deadline is April 17. To reserve your place, please call 815-232-3186. More details can be found on our website at stephensoncfb.org.

Victoria Hansen is Director of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau