STATE FAIR
Page 3 Monday, August 19, 2013 FarmWeek
Farmer-woodcarver puts personal touch on new trophy BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
The new pig de resistance of the junior barrow competition adds a personal touch to Illinois State Fair memories. “It’s been so good to our family that we wanted to give the kids something to shoot for. We thought it would be cool to have a traveling trophy,” Peoria County farmer Jared Schlipf said of the new trophy he and his brother, Ryan of Woodford, donated. The Schlipfs not only donated the trophy, but Jared also carved a crossbred barrow from tupelo wood to adorn the trophy claimed for the first time by Tyler Gradert of Geneseo.
The Schlipf cousins work together to prepare their hogs for the state fair with the older cousins helping the younger ones. “We know only one can win the state. We win together and we lose together ... It’s a neat experience,” Jared said. That closeness extends to the other farm families who compete in the showring. “The family who won the trophy, we’ve competed against them.They’re a great family; they’re extremely competitive. We all are,” Jared said. The families of swine exhibitors no doubt will add their own stories as well as their names to a new piece of fair history.
Junior hog, exhibitor numbers mark increase at 2013 Illinois State Fair Illinois State Fair visitors were correct if they thought they saw more junior swine exhibitors and hogs on the Springfield fairgrounds. Entries for the state fair junior swine show were up substantially, according to Dale Edwards, who along with his wife, Janet, are long-time superintendents of the junior swine show. More than 1,100 barrows and 856 gilts were entered in the junior show by the July 1 deadline, said Edwards, a Buffalo farmer. By the August fair, the two categories combined increased by about 100 head compared to last year, Edwards estimated. Several factors may be contributing to the influx of youngsters showing swine. “The temperatures have been beautiful. That’s been a lot easier,” Edwards noted. He speculated cooler temperatures that put less stress on the animals may have contributed to the increase. Another factor may be a state fair rule change that occurred several years ago, according to a state fair swine exhibitor. Peoria County farmer Jared Schlipf whose children exhibit hogs attributed some of the increase to the “dropping of the mandatory kill” requirement. Exhibitors would be more likely to bring lighter weight barrows if they could continue to feed the animals and show them elsewhere after the state fair, Schlipf explained. “It was a great thing when they did it (change the rule),” he concluded. — Kay Shipman
AG DAY BILL SIGNING
Peoria County livestock farmer Jared Schlipf, Brimfield, carved the crossbred barrow adorning a new traveling trophy he and his brother, Ryan, donated for the junior grand champion barrow exhibitor at the Illinois State Fair. The Schlipf families hope the award makes the competition more special for young exhibitors. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Attorney general works to prevent consumer fraud
The attorney general’s staff works with local Scam artists claiming to provide legitimate repairs are as inevitable as the property damage officials so legitimate contractors are issued crecaused by tornadoes, floods and other disasters. dentials, she noted. Information and fraud report However, the Illinois attorney FarmWeekNow.com forms may be found online at general is taking a proactive Visit FarmWeekNow.com to {illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/conapproach to help local officials learn more about Illinois At- sumers/}. and protect property owners coptor ney General Lisa MadiIn other news, the attorney ing with natural disasters. gan’s anti-fraud efforts. general said the process continIllinois Attorney General Lisa ues on a legal challenge of the Madigan highlighted consumer state’s new concealed carry weapon law. A protection last week during woman who brought the original lawsuit and Agriculture Day at the Illinois the Illinois State Rifle Association who sought State Fair. “One thing we’re immediate rights to legally carry concealed guns aware of with the uncertainty are appealing a U.S. District Court ruling. Madiof the farm bill, farm families gan represents the state in the matter and said are under economic pressure,” the next court action is scheduled for October. Madigan told FarmWeek. She referred anyone with questions about the Over the last 10 years, new concealed carry law to the Illinois State Madigan’s staff has received Police website {isp.state.il.us} and the concealed Lisa Madigan more than 250,000 consumer carry icon on the right side of the page. A fraud complaints. “We really detailed list of questions and answers is provided. encourage people to call us” with questions, As for legal action on the governor’s veto of Madigan said. Her staff has taken a proactive approach to state legislators’ salaries, the next court date is scheduled for Sept. 18. “We’re representing the thwarting “storm chasers,” con artists who comptroller,” Madigan noted. swoop in after storms to take advantage of In mid-July, Gov. Pat Quinn used a line item property owners scrambling to make repairs. veto to cut the legislators’ salaries and stipends “We help communities set up a permitting from the state budget. — Kay Shipman process” of contractors, Madigan explained.
IAITC receives AT&T donation on Ag Day
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson addresses the media and others gathered to see Gov. Pat Quinn, center left, sign several bills related to agriculture at the Illinois State Fair on Agriculture Day. One of the bills will promote new research and markets for wheat. (Photo by Kay Shipman)
AT&T presented the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) with $25,000 for agriculture literacy efforts during Agriculture Day festivities at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield. The money will be used to distribute Illinois agriculture calendars to more than 25,000 classrooms. “At AT&T, we invest in education to ensure the next generation of leaders and workers is prepared to meet the challenges of the global internetbased economy,” said Paul La Schiazza, president of AT&T Illinois. “This program
‘ We a p p r e c i a t e the commitment AT & T s h ow s t o the entire state of Illinois.’ — Susan Moore IAA Foundation director
(IAITC) helps the next generation more fully appreciate the benefits of agriculture to the
people and the economy of Illinois.” “We appreciate the commitment AT&T shows to the entire state of Illinois,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director. “We are thankful to have a continuing partner like AT&T who sees how making that connection from farm to fork is so vital today.” IAITC is the top-funding priority of the IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau’s charitable foundation. Last year on Ag Day, AT&T donated $20,000 to IAITC for its school calendars.