Illinois Farm Bureau Recognizes County Awards of Excellence Recipients

Illinois Farm Bureau recognized all the County Awards of Excellence (CAE) program recipients at its Annual Meeting in Chicago. CAE encompasses awards previously distributed for the "Most Outstanding Program" along with the New Horizon, Liberty Bell and Pinnacle Awards.

Ag Literacy, Sow and Tell, Shelby County

"Sow and Tell: Building Bridges in Agriculture," addresses a vital need in the community – the disconnect between students and the agricultural world. It aims to introduce students to the realities of agriculture through unique personable experiences.

In its inaugural year, the response was overwhelming, with eager community support. Teachers signed up on a first- come, first-paired basis, acknowledging initial farmer availability limitations.

Comprehensive help sheets guided both farmers and classrooms. They outlined expectations, provided tips and offered topic ideas. Classrooms were thoughtfully paired with farmers, considering comfort levels and proximity to schools.

Local community members facilitated the exchange of letters, ensuring a monthly delivery of correspondence. Upon program completion, a survey gathered feedback from both teachers and farmers assessing experiences and gauging interest in continuing and expanding the program.

The impact of "Sow and Tell: Building Bridges in Agriculture," on the county has been transformative. Students shared their newfound knowledge with their families, sparking conversations that transcended generations and giving rise to a newfound appreciation for agriculture. Community members also expressed interest in growing the program to explore hands on experiences with the general public.

The program’s impact extended to Farm Bureau aligning seamlessly with the mission to promote the welfare of agricultural producers within the county. It became a recognized household name among non-agricultural community members, potentially leading to an increase in membership numbers and a deeper sense of community involvement.

Farm Income and Development, The Financial Foundation, Clay County

Clay County Farm Bureau wanted to reach current members but also wanted to reach non-members. So, it reached out to one of the local COUNTRY Financial agents to discuss a way to benefit people during an event that covered multiple topics, including financial and estate planning with a succession planning component.

Partnering with COUNTRY helped pull in some more of their clients who are non-members and also gave a bonus benefit for current members. Farm Bureau promoted the event through radio and newspaper advertising, social media, direct call out and flyers with a contact of 20,000-plus. Volunteers also utilized the IFB marketing team to design advertising for this event.

Around 70 people attended the event. Farm Bureau volunteers gave out CFB merchandise to the attendees and had the opportunity to speak to non-members. This program fits into CFB yearly goals by educating the community about Farm Bureau and reaching out to non-members for potential membership.