Live.Work.Grow. Volume 7 Issue 2

Live.Work.Grow.

Volume 7 Issue 2

ATLANTA 路 CLINTON 路 FARMER CITY 路 MASON CITY www.centralilag.com 路 Volume 7 Issue 2 1

in this issue

Volume 7 Issue 2

Features:

5 17 21 31

COVID-19 in Agriculture: An Industry Perspective on the Impacts of a Global Pandemic.

Women in Ag: Dr. Penny HaaseWittler shares her story of working in agriculture education.

On the Cover The Bloome Family planting with their new AFS Connect Magnum in Christian County.

4

A Note from Michael Schmidt

9

MacDon: Never Looking Back

14 Harvest Efficiency with Geringhoff Built like a Degelman: Lee and Tiffany Lakosky talk hunting, farming, and their Degelman Pro-Till.

16 Thunder Creek: Unmatched Quality 25 Case IH Farmall 55C: Powerful and Dependable 28 Toro: Simplicity and Comfort 35 The Power of a Takeuchi

A Family Tradition: The Boyer Family shares what it’s like working on their family farm.

36

Jim Spicer, Takeuchi Regional Product Manager

38

Local Foods: Sasse’s Apiary

39 CATCH Program: Local Foods Making a Lasting Impact 41 Photo Gallery

17 1 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

21

31

Abby Coers, Marketing Director

“You have the best job ever!” I hear it often, and yes, I totally agree with that. From being in the fields during season to digital media projects, I am fortunate to have found a career that I truly love for a business whose ultimate priority to take care of you, the Central Illinois Ag family. Each season I look forward to connecting with more of you as we continue to visit farms, host training events, and ensure you’re doing well! Talk soon! acoers@centralilag.com

Dawn Irwin, Assistant Marketing Director

2020 has been an interesting year so far to say the least, but if we learned anything, it is that in agriculture, the show must go on no matter what.

When most of the country stayed home, farmers were still busy in the field all spring. We thank you for your hard work this year and every year, and are fortunate that despite the circumstances, we were able to visit and feature many of our customers in this magazine yet again. dirwin@centralilag.com

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Brian Reeser - Vice President

Steve Schmidt - Chief Executive Officer

Tim Evans - Chief Financial Officer

Michael Schmidt - President

Abby Coers - Marketing Director www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 2

Atlanta 200 Sharon St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (217) 648-2307

Locations

Clinton 1000 State Route 10 E. Clinton, IL 61727 (217) 935-8373

Steve Schmidt Atlanta, IL (217) 666-6078 Michael Schmidt Lincoln, IL (217) 737-8669 Brian Reeser Clinton, IL (217) 519-4341 John Coers New Holland, IL (217) 837-7009

Farmer City 792 U.S. Hwy 150 E. Farmer City, IL 61842 (309) 928-2154

Sales Team Austin Coers New Holland, IL (217) 666-6077 Joe Fisher Petersburg, IL (217) 666-6079 Doug Franzen Farmer City, IL (309) 606-7045

3 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Mason City 130 Tonica St. Mason City, IL 62664 (217) 482-9760

Michael Wheet Heyworth, IL (309) 606-7046 Tyler Williams San Jose, IL (217) 666-6086 Adam Davis McLean, IL (217) 666-6093 Todd Irwin Lincoln, IL (217) 666-6085

Michael with his wife, Kara, and sons, David, Alec, Collin, and Owen.

michael Schmidt President, Central Illinois Ag

Michael Schmidt mschmidt@centralilag.com President, Central Illinois Ag @MPSchmidtAg

W

ow! Looking back, it is insane to think of all that has happened within the last several months. Just as we are gearing up to prepare for spring planting, the world gets flipped upside down with Coronavirus.

Being in the agriculture industry, especially at planting time, it is essential to continue working. Following the CDC guidelines and recommendations, we adjusted our business practice accordingly while still being able to be there for our customers.

Never did I think locking the doors to our dealership to limit face-to-face contact would occur, or encouraging employees to work remotely. The concern of ‘will we have enough hand sanitizer and toilet paper for employees’ crossed my mind, but let’s just sit back and think about Steven Ile, Michael Schmidt, and Lee Lakosky. that. What?! This is truly a time that none of us have ever encountered before. It has been a challenging ride, On a fun note - you may also have noticed our CIA but our team at Central Illinois Ag has stuck together.

Outdoor focus. This journey began with our friends Don and Kandi Kisky from the Outdoor Channel I am proud to say that amidst the pandemic, agriculture television show, Whitetail Freaks. Over time we have continues the day to day operations. We are a very built a friendship with Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, from hands-on dealership, and had to change how we do the Crush TV on the Outdoor Channel. From food some things, but the communication between Central plots to farming and small to large acreage, equipment Illinois Ag and you, the customer, always will be our is needed for a variety of projects. We strive to show the priority. We appreciate each of you. Your success is what many uses of our equipment and how to be the most we aim for each season. efficient no matter the situation.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 4

Covid-19 In a

An Industry Perspective on the “We have reaped some rewards and suffered some hard-falls throughout the pandemic.

Spring farmers markets were cancelled, and we lost nearly 100% of our restaurant sales. However, our Community Supported Agriculture program doubled in size; we are now delivering fresh produce to over 350 families in central Illinois over the next 24 weeks. Demand from our cooperative grocery stores and produce distributors in Chicago have also nearly doubled. The greatest thing has been the renewed interest in local food. We’ve got the skills, land, staff, and equipment to meet the emerging demand and are excited to do so.”

-Katie Bishop, PrairiErth Farm “Our work in community health completely stopped. We were redeployed and began doing other work for the hospital instead. This spring, District 27 schools were still sourcing food locally and providing meals for students. They are still providing the USDA free summer lunch program which provides kids with five healthy meals a week. Our farmers market business stayed the same even with social distancing guidelines. We think people are starting to realize that if we don’t support local producers now, they will not be here when we need them in the future.”

-Angela Stoltzenburg and Angie Whiteman, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health 5 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

“COVID-19 has showed us that agriculture is more essential than people realize. We farmers were already social distancing in tractor cabs, so we were allowed to continue to feed the world and get the crop in.”

-Clint Liesman, farmer

“COVID-19 has affected our pork farm dramatically on the side of the business that involves shipping our hogs to large processors.

Due to the backed-up supply of hogs, the large animal processors are taking in record-breaking profits while the farmers are struggling to make ends meet. With the local locker plants operating at full capacity with the earlier scarcity of meat scare, it has been impossible to get an appointment to have a hog processed until late fall or early winter and with some lockers, 2021. We have been selling hogs from the barns to people who are skilled at processing the animal themselves- that was an easier decision than euthanizing them. On the positive side, attending the farmers markets and supplying restaurants, institutions, and grocery stores has been a sustainable side of the business.”

-Vicki Huelskoetter, pork producer “Business for Degelman has been as usual because farmers have not stopped. I have been considerate of all the customers I am around, but farmers still want a handshake at the end of the day.”

-Jim Kappel, Degelman

agriculture

e impacts of a global pandemic “Early in the year, milk prices at the farm level were showing promise of a nice upswing after several years of below break-even prices.

Then when COVID-19 hit, our price dropped significantly despite an increase in fluid milk sales at the retail level. Here on the dairy farm though, life goes on as usual, nothing has changed. The cattle must be milked, fed, and cared for every day to the best of our ability.”

-Steve Irwin, dairy farmer

“Due to COVID-19, our sales have been through the roof. The demand has been hard to keep up with and things you’d never imagine would go out of stock have, such as plastic bottles due to the hand sanitizer demand. We have been visiting each store twice as much to keep the shelves stocked, and are sometimes the only honey on the shelves since we are local producers and other brands could not get their products shipped in. A whole new sector of the public has become aware of local ag and it has given local producers an opportunity to shine.”

“We were initially concerned, but our business -Beth Sasse, Sasse’s Apiary never missed a beat. Industry sales have increased dramatically with people going back to the basics and coming to the realization of “COVID-19 gave us some time to collaborate and how important hunting and agriculture actually develop some great ideas which are in the works are. Hunting and farming are not necessarily at the moment. It fortunately has not slowed group activities, so not much has changed. It is down the construction equipment market or just Tiffany and I and our kids which is the way the construction industry. Construction is an it has always been.” essential part of the country which has been -Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Crush TV apparent during this pandemic. Takeuchi owners build and rebuild the infrastructures we use every day from sidewalks to the hospitals “The direct consumer beef business has that keep us healthy.”

-Jim Spicer, Takeuchi increased substantially. We have sold more beef in a month and a half in 2020 than we did in all of 2019, and have appointments booked for “I have always had a rule that I don’t work on 2021 already. With the opening of the Market on Sunday mornings, I go to church, but for the the Hill community-owned grocery store in Mt. first time in my life, I watched church from the Pulaski, we have high hopes for business, given tractor cab while planting beans this spring.” the circumstances.”

-Mike Swaar, farmer

-Shaun Tyson, beef producer www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 6

Clean Rows, from the Cab

The future is full of instant gratification. With CleanSweep, row cleaning doesn’t have to be any different. Now row cleaning is instant and easy, without ever getting out of the tractor cab.

Add any Precision Planting product to build your planter of the future.

www.planterofthefuture.com

7 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

CleanSweep® and Precision Planting® are registered trademarks of Precision Planting LLC. ©2015 Precision Planting LLC.

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 8

Never Looking Back “I

t has been bulletproof from pick up to trade off; I have never had an issue with it,” says Clint Liesman on the MacDon platforms he has used on his operation.

It is this durability and quality of equipment that has kept him a returning MacDon customer over the past few years.

Clint has farmed in Mason and Menard Counties since 1998, when he started working with his uncle, Neil Conklen. In 2005, Neil retired which allowed Clint to take over and build up his own acreage to farm. Today, he and his full-time employee, Daniel Coers, manage the farm. Clint’s wife, Kate, and daughter, Addison, enjoy being involved as well.

In the past, Clint had been using a platform that was not ideal for his operation. The header was dropping shelled beans throughout the field resulting in unnecessary yield loss. He eventually turned to MacDon for a more productive harvest and has been a fan of them ever since. “Once I tried it, I never looked back,” he says.

Since making the transition, Clint has noticed a substantial return on the head and a definite increase in yield. “By the end of the day, I could fill several 5-gallon buckets full of dropped shelled beans with my old platform, but with the MacDon, I would be lucky to fill a coffee cup,” says Clint, due to the gentler feeding of the crop.

Clint and his daughter, Addison

try out the built-in auto contour feature on his newest head, which will allow for more flexibility along ground contours.

Clint has never ran red equipment, but relies on John Coers and Central Illinois Ag for other equipment needs from platforms, to grain carts, to mowers. “John has been great to work with,” says Clint. “Anytime I call him he is there to answer my questions and if I ever need help, he is the first one in the field.” The most recent platform Clint purchased from John is a MacDon FD135 which he is excited to use this fall to see how he can save time and be more productive with the extra length of the head.

“At the end of the day, MacDon is gentler on the Along with the increase in harvest efficiency, Clint likes combine, reduces yield loss, and shows less wear and the ease of adjusting the head for a more even feeding, tear on our equipment,” says Clint. “It’s the best money the simple hookup of the head, and being able to adjust I have ever spent.” the belt speed from inside the cab. He is also excited to

9 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 10

11 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

MEET YOUR NEW GO-TO MULTI-TOOL. Every farmer has that pocket tool that never leaves their side.

That tool that can do a little bit of everything. With actionable tips from soybean experts, industry news and insights, connections to other Illinois farmers, events, webinars and more, ILSoyAdvisor is the latest multi-tool you shouldn’t farm without.

ILSOYADVISOR.COM

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 12

The Full Line of Harvest Headers The Full Line of Harvest Headers

Geringhoff has the best harvest header – no matter the crop Geringhoff has the best harvest header – no matter the cropany other A harvest experience unlike A harvest unlike anyHARVEST other SOLUTIONS BY CROP: Since 1880, Geringhoffexperience has been providing high end harvest solutions to farmers worldwide. Featuring top shelf Corn - Patriot, Rota Disc, NorthStar, Since 1880, Geringhoff been components and superior has engineering, HARVEST SOLUTIONS BY CROP: Horizon, Freedom providing high end harvest solutions to they are well known in the industry for Small Grains - TruFlex Trufarmers worldwide.

Featuring top being the most dependable head onshelf the Corn - Patriot, RotaRazor, Disc, NorthStar, Flex, Flex components engineering, Horizon, Freedom market.

When it’sand timesuperior to harvest your they are well known in the industry for crops, harvest them with the peace of MiloSmall - MiloStar Grains - TruFlex Razor, Trubeing mostwith dependable head on the mind thatthe comes a Geringhoff.

Flex, Flex market. When it’s time to harvest your Sunflowers - SunLite crops, harvest them with the peace of Milo - MiloStar See your local dealer for details! mind that comes with a Geringhoff.

Sunflowers - SunLite See your local dealer for details!

13 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

geringhoff.com

Mike and Joan Swaar

HARVEST EFFICIENCY WITH Geringhoff

ike Swaar’s family has been farming in Mason County for over 150 years and multiple generations. Mike has been involved on the farm since he was a kid and began working alongside his father while in college in the 70s as he began picking up some acres of his own. Today, Mike farms with the help of his two nephews, Daniel and Dane Swaar, and he is excited to keep the farm in the family for generations to come.

M

field and adding unnecessary hours it easier and more efficient to set the to the combine. head where he needed it.

Toward the end of harvest last fall, Mike had started to become frustrated with the standard corn head he was using. He noticed all of the shelled corn he was losing out of the head as well as the ears that would be left on the ground behind the combine. Even after adjusting the stripper plates, the head would often push over stalks. On multiple occasions, he would have to stop in the field to unclog the header as well when transitioning from dryer to wetter corn, costing him time in the

As soon as John got an eight-row Geringhoff Northstar 830 Elite demo unit in, he lent it to Mike to use as he finished up the 35 remaining acres he had to harvest.

Immediately, Mike was blown away by the difference he saw. He instantly noticed that he did not have near the amount of shelling and had no issue going through a field with patches of heavier corn and patches of drowned out areas with a lighter stand. He also liked the easy in-cab adjustment capabilities which made

Before they finished harvesting for the season, Mike decided to ask his salesman, John Coers, to demo a Geringhoff corn head, a unit that had been in the back of his mind for a while. Many farmers around the area had used Geringhoff heads and never experienced the trouble that Mike was having, so he decided to give it a try.

Although he did not get too much use out of the head, the short trial run made the biggest difference to him. After thinking it over with his nephews and calculating the money he could save in yields, they knew that the investment was worth it. “If I had it earlier, I would have saved thousands in shell loss,” says Mike.

Before he finished harvest, Mike called John and made a deal right there in the combine. “I told him, this is not going to leave the farm, I can’t let this get away,” says Mike.

“And it never left the farm.”

“After seeing the difference for myself in grain loss and in time savings it was an easy decision,” says Mike. “It is amazing how one simple demo influenced me so much; I cannot wait to put it to work again this fall.”

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 14

Ready Set Go “These trailers are extremely high-quality…

Thunder Creek did not cut any corners!” ~ K. Schick Central Illinois AG is the Midwest Premier Thunder Creek Dealer. We have multiple units in stock for immediate delivery! Call 217.648.2307

15 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Thunder Creek

Unmatched Quality

K

eith Schick of Morton, Illinois, has been farming with his family since he was a kid. Today, he farms with his son, Kraig, who is the fifth generation of the family farm. With the many brands and options of farm equipment on the market, he and Kraig have worked together recently to research which machinery is the best fit for their operation. This year, they were focused on finding a fuel trailer that would increase their efficiency in the field.

with the help of Michael Schmidt, a salesman that Keith is grateful to work with at Central Illinois Ag. Whether Michael is turning wrenches in the field or providing insight on a piece of equipment, Keith is grateful to have such a hands-on salesman he can always rely on.

Ever since Michael delivered their FST 990 trailer earlier this year, it has continued to impress them. With the modular design option that Thunder Creek offers, Keith likes that he was As times have changed and able to build his own trailer so that it equipment has evolved, they have was customized specifically for him. been hauling more fuel to the field than ever. They travel to surrounding One of his favorite features of the towns to get from field to field each trailer is the solar battery maintainer, year, and after last year’s harvest, which is a 30-watt solar panel they decided it was time to make mounted on the top of the trailer to a long-term investment in a safer, maintain the battery all day long. To more reliable fuel trailer than what Keith, this is one of the many features that increases efficiency because they they had been using. can always count on the trailer being After comparing brands and ready when it is time to go to the weighing their options, the Schicks field. found that Thunder Creek was the clear choice, as the quality of their Additionally, the 35-foot hose reel, along with the electric start gas pump, products stood out. which delivers fuel at 40 gallons per They decided to make the purchase minute, is sure to save on time. “I can

see that decrease in down time being a huge advantage this coming fall,” says Keith. An added benefit is the rear utility box and tool chests which are handy to store tools and other supplies to have available at all times while in the field.

Along with the time-saving aspects of the trailer, Keith also likes the unmatched quality of Thunder Creek products. “The trailer has an extremely high-quality look to it,” he says. “Thunder Creek did not cut any corners.” From the aluminum wheels, to the wide tires, to the diamond plated trim, it is clear to see the time and effort that Thunder Creek puts into their product to make it the best on the market.

Keith Schick and Michael Schmidt

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 16

Women in Ag:

Dr. Penny Haase-Wittler

Penny with some of her high school students.

“N

early everything we do in life is impacted by agriculture,” says Dr. Penny Haase-Wittler.

“We have to keep educating others about agriculture to expose them to how important it is and how it affects their lives each day.”

That year, Penny and her friend took their first ag class with 26 freshman boys and worked hard each day to prove themselves. One of her favorite memories as a member was delivering the FFA creed perfectly to her advisor, which earned her a free FFA jacket that she still has today. Since she joined FFA later than other Dr. Penny Haase-Wittler has become a passionate members, she couldn’t be as involved as she would have agriculture literacy advocate throughout her years liked, but being a member alone meant a lot to her. working as an educator and her time spent in the ag industry, however, her story did not begin on a farm.

After high school, Penny found a love for college and educating others. She obtained a two-year degree in Penny grew up in Paris, Illinois and was always Ag Business from Parkland College before transferring intrigued by plants and animals and loved gardening to the University of Illinois where she received her with her grandma. However, she had no background bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Ag Science. She in agriculture and had not been fully introduced to then began teaching at colleges in the area, including farming until she visited her friend Karla’s farm when Parkland, Blackhawk, and the University of Illinois, she was 11 years old. This sparked a passion in her as she until she decided to go back to school for her PhD in began helping her friend raise and show her Chianina Ag Education. In the meantime, she had married her steer, along with doing other chores around the farm. “I husband, Kyle, and had three children, Samantha, fell in love with her life,” says Penny. “She is one of the Catherine, and Caleb. major reasons why I continued down this path.”

After graduating with her PhD in 2002, she continued She decided to join Karla’s 4-H club when she was in teaching as her and her family moved from New York, sixth grade. Penny got involved in sewing, helped her to Arkansas, before coming back home to Illinois. She friends show their livestock, and learned more about began working at the Illinois FFA Center for three the ag industry. “Because of 4-H, I knew that I wanted years, until she decided to go back to where her love for to be in this field from a very young age,” says Penny. agriculture began and try something she had not done before: teaching high school agriculture.

When high school came around, she wanted to take ag classes, but Penny remembers her counselor Penny accepted a job at Lincoln Community High discouraging the idea and suggesting she take classes School, which she says was her most challenging, but to prepare her for college instead. She did that for two also her most rewarding job yet. “Everyone who wants years, but by her junior year, she and Karla decided to to teach ag should teach high school ag first,” says take ag and join FFA. They were hesitant at first because Penny. “It has been the greatest experience in teaching there were not many female FFA members at the time. that I have had.”

17 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Salesman Tyler Williams with Penny and her son, Caleb, in front of their new Farmall.

At Lincoln, Penny taught a variety of classes including Ag Science, Ag Management and Production, Veterinary Science, Equine Science, Food Science, and Soil Conservation. She also focused on her students developing their own Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project in each of her classes. Penny began building up her hobby farm during this time, as many of her students used her rabbits, chickens, and more to study and take care of for their SAEs.

Penny with a student from Illinois College.

Today, Penny is continuing to develop the agriculture program at Illinois College. She has taught ag for over 27 years now. Additionally, she is passionate about her own farm, where she raises a variety of animals and enjoys studying their behavior and breed characteristics.

“I’m not done with my career; I’ll work until the day I die,” says Penny. “My passion for teaching and my faith keeps me going.”

Being a woman in the ag industry has not always been easy for Penny, however. “When I first started out, I was so young and I felt like I had to prove something,” she says. “It took years to build up my confidence.” The advice Penny would give to young girls interested in a career in the ag industry is to persevere. “I went through a lot of challenges to get to where I am today,” she says.

“You must persevere and stay at the core of what you Over the years, Penny developed a strong bond with want to do and don’t give up on it. Don’t think your her students and always wanted to do more for them on dreams are impossible.” top of teaching. “Every day when they would walk out of my classroom, I would yell out the door ‘make good choices!’,” she says. A colleague once warned her not to get too close or care too much about her students, but that is not what Penny believed. “The biggest thing I did as a teacher was care for my students; I did that before I even taught them,” she says.

Some of her favorite memories from teaching high school were taking her students to FFA Conventions and contests all over the state. “We had a lot of fun,” she says.

“It got them into a different academic environment, and I always wanted them to enjoy themselves so that they would remember these times for the rest of their lives.”

After spending seven years at Lincoln, Penny’s husband’s health began to worsen. They decided that it was best if she took a job offer at Illinois College so that Penny could be home more often to care for him. She began her job there in 2019 as the director of the agriculture program, but just as she was getting started, Kyle passed away. “When I look back on it, everything happened the way it was supposed to,” she says. Even though it has been challenging, Penny’s faith is what has gotten her through the bad times.

Penny with Dawn Irwin, one of her past students at Lincoln Community High School.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 18

19 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

EXCELERATOR® XT 8010 High-Speed Vertical Tillage

EXTEND YOUR VERTICAL TILLAGE

Excalibur ® VT blades capture and slice tough residue

KUHN Krause EXCELERATOR® XT 8010 provides XTended versatility to your vertical tillage needs. Give yourself the advantage of high speed residue cutting, incorporation and seedbed preparation.

No daily grease maintenance bearings means you can spend more time in the field and less in the shop.

Mid-mounted HD tines redistribute residue, level seedbed & reduce clods

29’6” - 40’3” working widths

Manual or hydraulic adjust gang angles 1-8 degrees

INVEST IN QUALITY

Visit our website to locate a Dealer near you!

24/7® soil conditioning reel finishes the seedbed

®

www.kuhn.com

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 20

Lee and Tiffany Lakosky:

BUILT LIKE A DEGELMAN

B

eing a farmer is a blessing. Without having a relative or close family member in the industry, it is not common to go to college hoping that someday you will become a farmer. Due to the demand for farmland and the price of equipment, farming is usually a career that is passed down from generation to generation, but Lee and Tiffany Lakosky did not have that.

they met, Tiffany joined him and grew an interest in hunting as well. Around this same time, Lee began writing hunting articles for outdoor magazines during his free time, without any expectations of what it would lead to.

He began building up contacts throughout the industry until some friends approached he and Tiffany and “Our story is one in a million: we had the opportunity suggested that they start recording their hunts for to become farmers and can now pass this way of life on Realtree’s Monster Bucks series. So, they bought a camera and did just that. “We didn’t do it for the money, to our kids,” said Lee Lakosky. we were just happy to be a part of it,” said Lee. Lee and Tiffany both grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Growing up in the city, they had no direct After only a couple years of filming each other, ScentLok connection to farming in their family. Instead, Tiffany reached out to Lee and Tiffany about hosting their own became a flight attendant and Lee, a chemical engineer TV show. Although it was a risk, Lee quit his stable job and he and Tiffany moved to southeast Iowa to pursue at an oil refinery in Minneapolis. their passion and begin a new career within the hunting Lee had always loved to hunt and worked at an archery industry. Tiffany soon joined him in pursuing hunting shop throughout high school and college. Soon after full time.

21 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

The risk that they took by leaving their old lifestyle behind turned out to be better than either of them could have imagined. After only the first season of their show, it became the highest rated show in the history of the Outdoor Channel. From there, “Crush with Lee and Tiffany” continued to take off and has turned into a much bigger business than they ever anticipated. “It was not something that we set out to do, it just fell in our laps,” says Tiffany. “God definitely had a plan.”

tagging along with them, whether they are riding in the tractor, sitting in the blind, or on the boat learning to fish. “I love how farming is a simple analogy for life,” says Tiffany. “We see what valuable things it is already teaching our kids.”

What many people may not know, along with filming their TV show, the Lakoskys have been fortunate enough to find the time and resources to make farming a priority in their lives as well. “We feel so fortunate that in this day and age we had the opportunity through Lee and Tiffany’s son, Cameron. hunting to acquire land to farm,” says Lee. After they moved to Iowa and built up their farm ground, they As every farmer knows, in order to have a successful rented it out for a while before eventually taking over year, dependable equipment is necessary. Earlier and farming it all themselves. this year, Lee and Tiffany met Michael Schmidt who The way Lee and Tiffany see it, hunting and farming introduced them to the Degelman Pro-Till. Michael are linked; they need one to have the other. The food believed that the Pro-Till would be beneficial to them to plots they plant and the crops they grow each year are till up farm ground and food plots this spring to prepare food for the deer. Lee does not view faming as work, for planting. but rather as preparation for hunting season. Ever since adding in the farm work, he says that hunting has gone from a seasonal activity that he looked forward to, to a year-round process that he loves.

Since moving to Iowa and beginning to farm, the Lakoskys have seen how their simpler lifestyle has benefited their family as well. In a world full of distractions and technology, they are blessed that their children, Cameron and Raygen, enjoy being outside

“It’s nice having someone to talk to who has a lifetime of experience in the industry and will always be honest with you. Michael has become more of a friend than a business partner.”

-Lee Lakosky

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 22

Immediately after their 17-foot Degelman Pro-Till was delivered, Lee was impressed with how compact it was.

When folded up, Lee likes that the Pro-Till is no wider than the tractor hauling it. The narrow transport makes going from field to field much simpler, especially in the fields that he has to go through creek crossings and ditches to get to. “It doesn’t matter where. If I can get my tractor through it, the Degelman is going through it too, no question,” he says.

This year, Lee used the Degelman primarily to break up sod on his food plots. He says that in the past, he would have had to go over the same ground multiple times to break it up, whereas the Degelman got the job done after only one pass. Additionally, they ran the Degelman with a seeder on it to till and plant simultaneously, which was crucial to saving them time throughout planting season. “Now that I’ve got more fields to plant, time is of essence to me: it is what I run out of, so I need stuff that works and is not going to break down.”

The Otico furrow roller on the end of the Pro-Till is another feature of the unit that Lee is happy to have.

While running with the seeder, Lee says that having the roller is a must. It breaks up clumps of dirt and does a great job packing the soil down to get a good seedbed to work with.

durable it is than other tillage units he has used in the past. He finds it convenient that each disk is attached individually, rather than being all together in one piece, making them more accessible and easier to remove and replace if necessary. Between the weight of each disk and the sturdy frame, he is confident in the longevity of the machine, and has seen why the brand has coined the phrase ‘built like a Degelman.’ “My kids will be using this same equipment when they are my age; they are built to last you a lifetime,” says Lee.

Lee and Tiffany with their children, Cameron and Raygen.

It is clear to see that to Lee and Tiffany, having the best and most reliable equipment is extremely important, not only for their farming and hunting operation today, but also to benefit their children, who they hope will continue the operation in the future. “Every family farmer should realize how lucky they are to be able to Not only has the Degelman increased his productivity, farm,” says Lee. “It is no secret why they want to keep but Lee has also seen how much stronger and more passing this great way of life down to their children.”

23 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

30/36 THE NEXT GENERATION OF PERFORMANCE Introducing the all new Pro-Till by Degelman. Available in 4 new sizes, we’ve raised the bar on what you should expect out of your tillage equipment. Built heavy with a “drop the pin and go” mentality, this is next generation tillage as only Degelman can do.

Featuring a narrower transport size, true greaseless technology throughout the entire machine, and versatility that includes the optional Scorpion Hitch and upcoming Pro-Cast Granular applicators.

HORSEPOWER REQUIREMENTS • 12 to 15 hp per foot at 2” or less working depth to achieve 8-12 mph with 20” blades (will vary by soil type) • 15 to 20 hp per foot at 2” or more working depth to achieve 8-12 mph with 20” blades (will vary by soil type)

Horsepower Per Foot 12hp

15hp

20hp

PRO-TILL 30’

360

450

600

The Pro-Till 30 is under 15’ in transport position.

PRO-TILL 36’

450

550

600

ENGINEERED TOUGH

PRO-TILL 41’

500

600

600+

PRO-TILL 45’

550

600+

600+

www.degelman.com

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 24

Case IH Farmall

55C

Powerful and dependable

A

aron Wilham knows that when it comes to his family farm, he wants the strongest, most dependable equipment to use each day. His recent purchase of a Farmall 55C has proven to be just that.

at his home. Previously, he had been digging post holes by hand, but decided to make it easier on himself with this new machinery. “What would have taken 30 minutes to dig a single hole by hand, can now be done in about a minute, saving me all kinds of time,” says Aaron.

Farming has always been a big part of Aaron and his wife, Jennifer’s, life. Jennifer’s family has farmed for over One of the main reasons he chose the Farmall, however, 150 years in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, where she and Aaron was because of its size and power. “It’s heavier, bigger, still farm today, and help run their cattle operation. and overall more tractor than other brands,” he says.

Additionally, it comes with many features that he has Aaron had been using a 1950s model tractor to complete found convenient and helpful, such as the hydrostatic chores around the farm, and as it aged, he began having transmission, adding to the ease of use, cruise control more and more issues with it. He decided it was time to capabilities, as well as the rollover protection structure upgrade and spent over a year and a half searching for for added safety while operating. the best tractor for him. When visiting Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta one day to pick up some parts, a new At the end of the day, efficiency is key on any farm, Farmall 55C caught his eye on the lot. That very next and the Farmall 55C has made all the difference to the day, he went back to talk to Steve Schmidt about it, and Wilham family. decided it was the one for him.

Since he purchased Farmall, Aaron has been blown away with the multi-use aspect of the machine and how well it gets the job done each day. Whether it’s mowing ditches and pastures, moving concrete slabs and hay, or building fence, Aaron gets a lot of use out of the tractor and has noticed how much more productive it has made his operation.

Recently, he has been using it along with his Bush Hog post hole digger attachment to build a new pasture fence

25 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Aaron Wilham

See us today! Offer ends December 31, 2020.

See us today! Offer ends December 31, 2020.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FARM BUREAU MEMBERS The Farm Bureau protects the future ofFOR your farm and your neighbors’ farms all year long.

Today, membership can save you up to $500 on new Case IH tractors and equipment!* The Farm Bureau protects the future of your farm and your neighbors’ farms all year long. * Today, membership can save you to $500 on new Case IH tractors andN equipment! on Farmall® compact A &up C series on Farmall® & V series

SAVE SAVE $300 $300

tractors, Farmall utility A series tractors, Farmall 100AAseries on Farmall® compact & C series tractors, Farmall round &utility small Asquare tractors, seriesbalers, disc mower conditioners and sickle tractors, Farmall 100A series mower conditioners tractors, round & small square balers, disc mower conditioners and sickle mower conditioners

SAVE SAVE $500 $500

tractors, Farmall utility U & C series tractors, Maxxum® on Farmall® N& V series series tractors, tractors, FarmallVestrum™ utility U & C series tractors, tractors, Maxxum® large square series balers tractors, and self-propelled series Vestrum™ series tractors, large square balers and self-propelled

Central Illinois Ag 200 Sharon St

Central Ag Atlanta, IL Illinois 61723 200 Sharon St Atlanta, IL 61723

217.648.2307 centralilag.com 217.648.2307 * Offer available through 12/31/20. This offer may be combined with othercentralilag.com offers, but is not valid on prior purchases. A valid Farm Bureau® Membership Certificate is required, which may be obtained at www.fb.org/about/join. See your participating Case IH dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Not available in all states. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. * Offer available through 12/31/20. This offer may be combined with other offers, but is not valid on prior purchases. A valid Farm Farm Bureau and the FB State Logo are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used Bureau® Membership Certificate is required, which may be obtained at www.fb.org/about/join. See your participating Case IH

by CNH America LLC under license from the American Farm Bureau Federation. dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Not available in all states. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. ©2020 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a trademark registered in the United States and many Farm Bureau and the FB State Logo are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. www.caseih.com

by CNH America LLC under license from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 26

©2020 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. www.caseih.com

MOW THROUGH MORE JOBS. ADD THE NEW 96” TORO ® Z MASTER ® 7500-G ZERO-TURN MOWER TO YOUR FLEET AND TAKE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL – FROM START TO FINISH.

27 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com toro.com/professional-contractor

Simplicity and Comfort F

or Steve and Ann Marie Irwin of Beason, Illinois, having a sturdy, reliable lawn mower is essential on the land around their home. This spring, the Irwins traded their lawn mower for a new Toro Titan MyRIDE and have not looked back since.

Around their property, they mow about an acre of land alongside grain bins and machine sheds, around many trees, and up against their cattle pasture fencing. Prior to having the Toro, their older mower got the job done, but was very rough and uncomfortable for the operator, which ultimately led them to their decision to trade.

Steve and Ann Marie Irwin

operators. Additionally, the foot pedal on the platform Right off the bat, they noticed the added comfort that which raises and lowers the deck for a closer cut, is easy the Toro had to offer. “The MyRIDE Suspention System to use and an added convenience to save time while is excellent,” says Steve. The suspension system includes mowing. adjustable rear shock settings as well as a suspended operator platform to reduce impacts felt by the operator. Before making his purchase, Steve looked around for the best brand, model, and dealer to purchase from to best He and his daughter, Sarah, do the majority of the meet his needs. Ultimately, he chose to work with John mowing, and they have both been pleasantly surprised Coers from his local dealership, Central Illinois Ag. “I by how much smoother the mower runs whether it is knew Central Illinois Ag would always be close and on rougher ground, up along the cow pasture, or on the reliable for parts and service, and that was the deciding side of a ditch. It has eliminated the rough, bumpy ride factor,” says Steve Irwin. Whether it’s purchasing that they had once been accustomed to. equipment for his family’s farm, getting service work done, or buying smaller, more conventional equipment The simplicity of the machine has made a big difference like the Toro, Steve is confident in doing business with as well. They enjoy being able to easily move the seat Central Illinois Ag and supporting a family-owned back and forth to adjust when switching between dealership.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 28

FREE PARKING

FREE ADMISSION

NOW through Sept. 26 SATURDAYS | 8AM - NOON LOGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Open during the Fair Weekend!

We match SNAP/LINK! Call 217-732-TAXI for a free ride to The Market.

Visit TheALMHMarket.org for details! us on Facebook.com/TheALMHMarket 29 · Central Illinois Ag · Follow www.centralilag.com

OUR TAGLINE SAYS IT ALL

APPAREL AND MERCHANDISE

www.bushhog.com

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 30

A Family Tradition F

amily. It’s a value held onto by generations within the equipment through the fields. The horses were soon the agriculture industry. It’s dad in the combine, son replaced by his Minneapolis tractor, followed by White, in the auger cart and semi, and a grandchild running Oliver, and Allis Chalmers. through the harvested stalks with dinner in the field.

He involved his two sons, Mike and Rick, in the operation from a young age where they would ride along in the combine without air conditioning or a buddy seat. Soon, the boys would be fast asleep on the floor as their dad would continue to make passes through the fields.

98% are family farms

of farms in the US

The years passed and more responsibilities were given to the boys within the farming operation and raising livestock. With the mentorship of their dad, Mike Boyer Farms in New Holland, Illinois has been in and Rick learned to work together as their passion for operation for over 60 years. Earl “Bub” Boyer rented his farming continued to grow. first farm after beginning to farm with his father in the 1950s and 1960s.

Mike’s career path led him straight to the farm, while Rick began his full-time career as a crop specialist in Bub recalls pulling a two-row planter with two horses. Mason County and later working for GROWMARK. He wasn’t sure how to manage the horses, but his dad After retiring from GROWMARK in 2019, he joined advised him to say ‘giddy up’ and they would go, and at the family farming operation full time. The sons work the end of the row to say ‘whoa’ and they would stop. well together and each have responsibilities to make the So that’s what he did, and the horses pulled himself and operation run smoothly. *2019 data from the Economic Resource Service USDA Report.

31 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Mike and Rick each have their own schedule and their own ground, but they work together to get the fields planted and harvested in the most efficient manner.

“I’ve always planted beans, and Mike has always planted corn,” Rick said. “We’ve always done it that way and it just works.”

In April 1997, Mike, Rick, and Bub were featured in ‘The Courier,’ a local newspaper for Logan County, Illinois residents.

The Boyers were getting publicity in ‘The Soybean Digest’ for being one of the first families to work with their current planter to plant seeds with ‘precision planting,’ or planting at precise distance and the same depth. This was a different concept than using a drill that dumps the seeds rather than evenly space them.

The Boyers found that planting in 10’’, 15’’, or 30’’ rows was the secret to higher yields.

Mike, Rick, and Earl Boyer in The Courier in 1997.

As Bub allowed the boys to take over more of the farming operations, they first converted their dad’s equipment to Case IH. Being a very technology-driven farm, they both knew this was the first thing to change. The first piece of equipment to trade off the farm was the planter. Case IH had a bulk fill planter that would save time, which then led to an all red farming operation.

The Boyers are continually looking to improve their operation to increase yields and efficiency. In 2018, Mike came across a high-speed tillage unit that he researched and then approached John Coers, salesman at Central Illinois Ag, to get it on their farm. After a demo, the unit didn’t leave the farm. Now, this specific tillage unit can be seen across the nation as a top-selling machine.

Mike, Earl, and Rick with their farmhand Bryson Scheurer.

Mike and Rick enjoy always looking for what’s next, what can help their farm, what can save them time, and what is the best for their land. They truly take pride in the past generations and take care of the farm for the next generation.

In the small town of New Holland, Illinois, the Boyer farm certainly makes a big impact. The family works hard and works together to continually improve. Taking care of the farm, and taking care of the family, all while doing what they enjoy…that’s what it’s all about.

“John Coers takes care of us. He knows what we need and what we are looking for.”

-Rick Boyer www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 32

Rick’s grandson, Bryce, in their Case IH combine.

TESTED. PROVEN. TESTED. PROVEN.

GENUINE. GENUINE. Engineered for Performance.

Engineered for Performance.

SM

SM

MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS THAT OPTIMIZE THE PERFORMANCE YOUR EQUIPMENT. MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS THAT OPTIMIZE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUROF EQUIPMENT. Don’t let imitation maintenance degrade your equipment’s performance and operation’s profitability.

Don’t let imitation maintenance products products degrade your equipment’s performance and operation’s profitability. to meet exact specifications of your equipment, Genuine Case IH maintenance OptimizedOptimized to meet the exact the specifications of your equipment, Genuine Case IH maintenance products products deliver deliver the protection frontline protection required extend yourintervals, service intervals, protect your resale the frontline required to extendto your service protect your resale value, andvalue, keep and yourkeep your equipment running. Engineered deliver theprobability highest probability uptime, Case Genuine Case IH maintenance equipment running. Engineered to deliver to the highest of uptime,ofGenuine IH maintenance are thoroughly tested and take onworld. the real world. the Discover the difference for yourself. products products are thoroughly tested and proven toproven take ontothe real Discover difference for yourself.

Contact us today for more information.

Contact us today for more information.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG, INC. CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG, INC. 200 SHARON 200 SHARON STREETSTREET P.O. BOX 506 P.O. BOX 506 ATLANTA, IL 61723 ATLANTA, IL 61723 217-648-2307 217-648-2307 www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com

Case registered IH is a trademark registered in and the United States and manyowned other by countries, owned by orIndustrial licensedN.V., to CNH Industrial N.V., subsidiaries or affiliates.

CNH Industrial Parts is aUnited trademark in the United States Case IH is a trademark in the United States many other countries, or licensed to CNH its subsidiaries or its affiliates.

CNH Industrial Genuine Parts is aGenuine trademark in the States and manyowned other by countries, owned by orIndustrial licensedN.V., to CNH Industrial N.V., subsidiaries or affiliates.referred Any trademarks to herein, association goods services companies other than CNH Industrial and many other countries, or licensed to CNH its subsidiaries or its affiliates.

Any trademarks to herein, referred in association withingoods and/orwith services of and/or companies otherofthan CNH Industrial America LLC,ofare the respective property ofcompanies. those respective companies. www.caseih.com America LLC, are the property those www.caseih.com

33 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

MRC

MRC

ÂŽ

From World First to World Leader

ADVANCED TECHnology

WORLD LEADER

OF A

Innovation and quality is what Takeuchi is known for. Our family of great machines have been a part of the construction industry for over 50 years. When PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY and PROFIT matter, you deserve a world leader on your team. Takeuchi offers a wide range of excavators, track loaders, wheel loaders and skid steer Loaders to help you get your job done.

Takeuchi Fleet Management is available on most models.

See your dealer for details. < For more information on all our great Takeuchi machines, visit takeuchi-us.com >

Innovation and quality is what Takeuchi is known for. Our family of great machines have been a part of the construction industry for over 50 years. When PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY and PROFIT matter, you deserve a world leader on your team. Takeuchi offers a wide range of excavators, track loaders, wheel loaders and skid steer Loaders to help you get your job done.

Takeuchi Fleet Management is available on most models.

See your dealer for details. www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 34

< For more information on all our great Takeuchi machines, visit takeuchi-us.com >

THE POWER OF A

F

CI Excavating is a local business out of Bartonville, Illinois that has been family-owned for three generations. First generation Dennis Beckman started the business in the early 1950’s when he traded in his first car for a backhoe. As the business grew, his son, Terry Beckman, and grandson, Nick Beckman, have taken over, and with the help of a few employees, continue to do excavating work around the central Illinois area.

The Beckmans primarily specialize in digging and constructing basements, installing and repairing septic tanks, and installing large block retaining walls on residential jobsites, along with a few commercial projects. Each jobsite has one thing in common: a need for powerful, dependable equipment.

One of the primary features that makes the Beckmans loyal Takeuchi customers is their power. “Nothing can compare to the power these machines have when you move as much dirt as we do,” says Nick. They have tried other brands in the past, but they lacked having enough counterweight to get the job done.

Today, they use a Takeuchi TL12V2 on each of their jobsites as well as a mini excavator. Nick loves the compact design of the track loader and how it can stop on a dime. He also says that it does an excellent job moving dirt quickly and effortlessly. The newer Takeuchi machines also have a backup camera in the cab which helps them maneuver around more carefully in tight spots. Another feature that has been a great help to them is the reach that the loader has. “The extra reach is amazing when we are loading into a semi trailer,” says Nick. “It saves us a lot of time.”

Nick, third generation, says that his family has been using Takeuchi track loaders for this reason since they first came out in the late 1990’s and were the original, eye-catching green and white color. Since then, they The Beckmans are grateful to Steve Schmidt at Central have owned over 15 Takeuchi track loaders to keep their Illinois Ag for always being a phone call away and making business running as efficiently as possible. sure they have the Takeuchi equipment necessary to keep their business productive and efficient.

35 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Jim Spicer

Regional Product Manager

E

quipment sales and agriculture have always been a passion of Jim Spicer’s. It is that passion and experience in the industry that has led him to work for one of the world’s leading compact equipment manufacturers, Takeuchi.

Jim says that Takeuchi has been a great company to work for as well as a great product to support. “Takeuchi is a manufacturer that does not cut corners or cheapen up a machine just to save a couple of dollars,” he says. “They are by far the heaviest built machines on the market.”

Jim was introduced to the ag industry when he began working at a local implement dealership when he was 16. He started out sweeping floors, washing equipment, and fixing lawn mowers, but quickly realized that this was the industry he wanted to have a career in.

It is that strong build that ensures the longevity of the machine and keeps customers coming back. The great resale value is a unique quality of the brand that proves its durability on the jobsite.

Another selling point of Takeuchi equipment is often After going to Lakeland College to become a technician, the overhead door in the track loaders. It helps with he worked on ag equipment for six years until given the the overall safety and versatility of the machine and opportunity to begin farming. He spent 13 years raising is a convenient feature that customers enjoy having. corn and soybeans and is grateful for the opportunity Additionally, Takeuchi excavators stand out from the he had to learn even more about the industry and what competition for coming equipped with a hydraulic it takes to have a successful farming operation. “I am a detent for running an attachment on continuous flow. firm believer that you must learn something new every Jim says that these machines have a wide variety of day which made farming a great job,” says Jim. attachments they are able to operate and are more than capable of running them proficiently.

Once he stopped farming, Jim got into the construction side of equipment at Central Illinois Ag. He spent a In the near future, we can expect some new units year and a half working on Takeuchi track loaders and being released such as the TB370 excavator with a excavators at the Farmer City store, before transitioning touch screen monitor, the redesigned TL8R2, and the into selling them. “I always wanted to get into selling TB220E, an all-electric excavator. Jim is confident in the equipment and the day I got the chance, I jumped on direction Takeuchi manufacturing is going considering it,” he says. the dedicated managers and employees whose goal is to assist the needs of end users.

From there, his career has led him to become the Regional Product Manager at Takeuchi where he covers “Takeuchi has always been known for building a solid seven states and works with several dealerships. Today, machine,” he says. “I have always stood behind Takeuchi he gets to train sales staff to keep up with the current products and they have yet to disappoint me.” trends in the marketplace and loves getting to see his colleagues succeed on their job each day.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 36

Central Illinois

Local Foods Spotlight

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 37

Sasse’s Apiary “O

wning our own business gives us the creativity to explore what interests us,” says Beth Sasse. “If we see an opportunity to make our operation better, we have the freedom to go for it and make our business what we want it to be.”

In 1990, Nathan Sasse received his first hive of bees from a neighbor to use for his 4-H project that year.

With the help of his dad, David Sasse, Nathan took care of the bees and learned how to harvest and market their honey through 4-H workshops. By the time he was 11 years old, he was able to sell honey to his first store, Dave’s Food Basket in Clinton, Illinois.

From there, his business grew as he earned his American FFA degree in his honey operation and chose to take on his business venture fulltime after college with the help of his mentor, Charie Ott. Today, Sasse’s Apiary is located in Chestnut, Illinois where Nathan and his wife, Beth, run the operation with the help of three full-time employees.

Getting honey from the bees to the grocery store is a unique process, but honey is one of the most natural products you will find there. The process begins in April when the Sasses get a semi-truck load of

Nathan and Beth Sasse with their children Chester, Fiona, and Rachel.

bees from Georgia delivered to the integrity of the honey. From their farm. They sell some to other there, the Sasses bottle each jar of beekeepers and install the rest. honey by hand on their farm and use nearly every part of the hive for The bees’ first job is to build up their other products, letting little go to numbers before they get to work. waste.

They start out at 10,000 to 20,000 worker bees per queen bee, but can Sasse’s Honey can be found in nearly reach up to 90,000 by the end of 100 grocery stores around Central the season. Each hive is installed Illinois today. They sell various sizes with a honey super which gives of honey along with creamed honey, the bees extra room to work and a beeswax, honeycomb, pollen, and honeycomb pattern to follow. lip balm. One of their employees is a full-time salesman whose priority is They begin to excrete wax into a to keep the shelves stocked. comb shape and fill up the super, beat their wings to dry down the It is important to the Sasse family, as wax, and then begin producing well as to their customers, that they honey to fill the comb. As long as do business locally. “When you buy bees are given space to work, they our products from a local grocery will keep making honey. Nathan store, you are supporting two local says that a worker bee only lives businesses, which is important to up to 3 weeks, as they eventually us,” says Beth. Many customers are bat their wings off from working so drawn to local honey due to the hard. regional allergy benefits as well as the familiar local flavor that they are Extracting the honey is a sensitive used to. process in order to keep the honey from sugaring and hardening. “Each time you choose to buy Therefore, after honey is extracted local, you are helping your local from the comb in July and then once economy and keeping jobs within again in the fall, it goes into a tank, the community,” says Beth. “It has which gently warms and mixes it to been great working in local foods keep it in liquid form for the best and we love the community we have quality. Additionally, the honey is created between our business and filtered to remove any wax, but no our customers.” other processing is done to harm

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 38

CATCH Program:

Kent Froebe and Connie Crawley

Local Foods Making a Lasting Impact

C

hildhood obesity is a growing concern around the country and has become a local issue here in central Illinois. In 2014, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital (ALMH) Community Health Collaborative in Lincoln, Illinois recognized the need to address childhood obesity and provide children with resources to make healthier choices. With the help of the Logan County Department of Public Health, the community was able to adopt and implement the nationally recognized Coordinated Approach to Child Health program (CATCH) in local schools, daycares, and after school programs.

Until this point, the schools had been primarily serving highly processed, “heat and eat” foods out of convenience. “CATCH had done an excellent job promoting the activity aspect, but one thing that was missing was healthy food being served in the cafeteria,” says Whiteman.

They knew that in order to truly help these students become healthier, they needed to tackle the obstacle of serving healthier lunch and breakfast options, so they approached District 27 Superintendent Kent Froebe and District 27 Food Service Director Connie Crawley about making this important change. They The CATCH program has made an impact on children were immediately on board and knew that by serving by encouraging increased activity and creating a nutritional foods, they would have the students’ best healthier school environment. The program promotes interest at heart. the understanding of nutrition in the classroom by incorporating examples such as calculating heart rate, measuring grams of fat in foods, weighing fruits, and more into daily lessons. Additionally, it helps to supply schools with improved physical education equipment.

As CATCH began to reach more schools around Logan County, Angela Stoltzenburg, director of the ALMH Community Health Collaborative, and Angie Whiteman, community health specialist, hoped to have an even greater impact on students’ health in school by incorporating made-from-scratch meals made with locally grown ingredients to promote healthier school Angie Whiteman (left) and Angela Stoltzenburg (right). cafeterias.

39 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

www.centralilag.com · Volume 7 Issue 2 39

The 2019-2020 school year was the first year that this local food program has been implemented, and by the end of February, 39.7% of the menu was sourced locally. They are proud that almost all of their locally sourced food has been from producers within Logan County. Connie Crawley has worked directly with each farmer to purchase food for the district, and they have been more than willing to be a part of this program. “The producers were pleased that an institution that cooks over 360,000 meals a year is helping to support their local farms,” says Stoltzenburg.

As part of the program, these farmers not only supply meat, fruit, and vegetables for school lunches, but are also are invited to come into classrooms to teach students about where their food comes from and have agreed to welcome classes to their farms for tours. “A big part of the program and getting kids to eat healthy is by connecting them to their food source,” says Stoltzenburg.

“It is amazing to see how much these farmers have taught the students about the local job opportunities in agriculture as well,” says Whiteman. “That has been one of the positive ripple effects of how this has impacted our community in a way that we did not originally think about.”

“It is really important for us to support the local economy by spending our food budget locally, because we know that has community health benefits down the road” -Angela Stoltzenburg

Students voting on school menu options.

Since they started working with local producers, District 27 schools have done a wonderful job getting their students involved in the entire process. The cooks have allowed the students to assist in creating the menu to introduce them to new and healthier foods.

Throughout the year, students got to participate in nearly 1,300 taste tests and then voted on what they liked and didn’t like. “The cooks’ motivation comes from the students liking the food they make,” says Stoltzenberg. “At the end of the day, it is important that we are feeding them healthier foods that they enjoy eating.”

Students working on a CATCH creative writing assignment about fresh produce.

By the end of February, 69% of school lunches were made from scratch, many of which used raw ingredients purchased from local producers. From tacos made with locally raised beef to lasagna made with locally grown tomatoes, the students have been able to not only taste the difference, but become more educated on how their food is grown and prepared along with the importance of healthy food choices.

With the support from the ALMH Foundation, District 27 has worked hard to make this program a success and are excited to see how implementing healthy food into these kids’ lives now will have an impact on their overall well being in the future. “We were motivated to create a healthy school environment so that these kids can hopefully live longer, healthier, higher quality lives,” says Stoltzenburg. “If we can create a school environment with positive reinforcement about healthy choices, I think we are doing the right thing.”

Local producer,7 Vicki www.centralilag.com · Volume Issue Huelskoetter, 2 40 delivering pork.

photo Gallery

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 41

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 42

200 Sharon Street Atlanta, IL 61723

www.centralilag.com

www.centralilag.com ¡ Volume 7 Issue 2 43