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THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH, 2016

A SUPPLEMENT TO OGLE COUNTY N E W S PA P E R S Oregon Republican Reporter Mt. Morris Times Tri-County Press Forreston Journal

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C2

Farm Focus

Farming community supported family farm Schabackers rebuilt after the April 9, 2015 tornado

By Andy Colbert Reporter Can a natural disaster be a blessing?

In the case of a farm that had been in the same family since the Civil War, it was.

The 260-acre Schabacker homestead, located at Hemstock and White Rock Road in rural Rochelle, was devastated April 9, 2015 by a tornado that traveled in direct line from the Ashton to Fairdale.

“The tornado did not have any mercy. It just leveled us,” said Jim Schabacker, who has lived on the farm since marrying his wife Beverly 57 years ago.

The family did find mercy, though. It came from an outpouring of support from neighbors, businesses, volunteers and fellow farmers.

“It was very humbling what everyone did for us,” the Schabacker said.

Known throughout the farming community as one of the most meticulous caretakers of his buildings and equipment, the 77year old Schabacker and his son Todd had one of the showcase farms in northern Illinois. That was before the F-4 tornado laid a direct hit on it.

“Right after it hit, we were so low,” Todd said. “Then, the process ends up being a blessing. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, but wouldn’t want to put it on anyone else. It was life changing in the sense of seeing the best humanity had to offer up close and personal.

I can’t say enough about people’s good heartedness.”

When the storm warnings began late afternoon on April 9, Todd rushed home from Rochelle to get his parents into the basement. Thirty seconds later, the tornado passed directly over them.

Afterwards, Todd came up from the basement and was stunned by what he saw, as the tornado made its way towards Grubsteakers restaurant.

“It was total destruction,” he related. “I had never seen a funnel cloud in my entire life, but watched this one come and go. It was surreal.”

What was most stunning to Todd was to see the damage all around him, but the house he and his parents were hunkered down in was barely touched.

“We lost 9-10 buildings, all in pristine condition,” he said. “But, the main thing was no one got hurt and mom and dad still had a place to lay their head at night.”

With the timing of the storm, a major problem presented itself. Planting season was about to begin and the Schabackers had a debris-filled field, inoperable machinery and damaged buildings.

“Normally, April 15 is a good time to plant and we have nothing,” Todd said.

That’s when the blessings began for the Schabackers.

“First is was family and friends, especially other farmers, that began to show up,” Todd said. “Then people from all over that we didn’t know – from Chicago and out of state. We had about 80 pairs of boots on the ground on Saturday and even more on Sunday.”

Many of those volunteers came from Operation Blessing, a national organization that mobilizes and stages recovery efforts for natural disasters all over the country.

“It really tugged at your Turn to C3

This is how Jim and beverly Schabacker’s farm on Hemstock Road near Rochelle looked before it was destroyed by thea tornado last April 9.

This is how the EF4 tornado April 9 looked from the Schabackers’ farm. It was a Two strangers fold up the Schabackers’ American flag in half-mile wide and stayed on the ground an estimated 40 miles, cutting a path of the aftermath of the tornado. devastation through Lee, Ogle, DeKalb, and Boone Counties.

This 1931 Ford received minor damage when the garage it was in was destroyed by a tornado. The tractors in the garage, two Farmalls, and a John Deere, received damage. The tractors are owned by the Schabackers, Springdale Farm on White rock and Hemstock. The farmhouse received relatively minor damage from the tornado. Photo by Chris Johnson

The Schabackers’ collection of tractors are lined up in front of the new machine shed.

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Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C3

Rebuilding began the day after the tornado struck From C2 heart,” Todd said. “The first phase was picking all the debris out of the field.”

Cars from a nearby subdivision in Skare Park were even blown onto the property. With the multitude of helpers clearing the farmland, the next step was to get equipment ready.

The local John Deere implement dealer in Kings immediately began repairs.

Luke Carmichael of Maplehurst Grain brought over excavation equipment and began tearing down buildings.

“Every single day, someone was in our yard, whether it was Query Insurance writing us checks, Metzger Brothers laying concrete, electricians,

carpenters – it just goes down the line,” Todd said.

Setting aside other projects, and giving the storm-ravaged Schabackers priority, Morton Buildings began to raise roofs on the property. The new buildings will never replace the gems that the Schabackers had before the tornado, but Jim is more than pleased.

“I have a pretty nice shop – so nice that if my wife ever kicks me out I have a place to go where I would be very comfortable,” Jim said.

Last year, the crops came in just like they did for every other area farmer and as father and son prepare for another season in the fields, the hope as always rests upon Jim Schabacker’s antique tractors survived the tornado despite having the building they were housed in blown down around them. the weather.

Above and below, every view shows the devastation the tornado left behind at the Schabacker farm. Only their house remained standing, although it was damaged, too.

Above and at left, the demolished farm buildings at Jim and Beverly Schabacker’s farm have been replaced with brand new Morton buildings.

Photos courtesy of the Schabacker family

Workers from Metzger Brothers Concrete, Rochelle, pour the floor for a new machine shed.

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Farm Focus

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C4

Passion is high for ag teachers and students

By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Ag education is flourishing in Ogle County schools with dedicated teachers planting the seeds for tomorrow’s future.

At the Forreston High School, Robert Nelson has been teaching for 35 years with the past 15 years in agriculture.

“Teaching agriculture is fun,” he said. “I love working with the kids. I could have retired last spring but the students make me laugh and I love being here because we are always having fun.”

Over at Oregon High School, agriculture education has an instructor with a storied past to fill.

Josh Nelson is in his second year of teaching at the school where he graduated.

“I realized sitting in these desks the influence my ag instructors had on my life,” said Josh. “I am grateful to be where I am. I want to continue the tradition and help students succeed.”

There have not been many agriculture teachers over the past 50 years at OHS and they have always been locally grown instructors.

Josh was taught by Justin Ebert, who he credits as helping discover his passion to be a teacher.

Ebert is now an instructor at Highland Community College.

“OHS has always had local instructors and it is special to be here to fill those shoes,” Josh said. “I took these same classes I am now teaching.”

In order to continue the tradition of quality ag teachers in Ogle County a new crop of teachers will need to be educated and students will need have the seeds planted in their mind that will grow into a passion to return to the classroom.

“The number one industry is agriculture based but the private industries are

“There are so many non-farm kids interested in agriculture today.

Agriculture is not just cows, sows, and plows.”— Robert Nelson Forreston High School financially viable,” said Josh. “Students may choose that over teaching.”

That thought was echoed

by Robert.

“An ag education degree is versatile and that takes our teachers from the classroom,” Robert said.

“They have so many opportunities that teaching may not be their passion.”

One thing that is clear is the passion for agriculture education remains strong in Ogle County.

Forreston has 80 FFA members in a school with an enrollment of 275.

“There are so many non-farm kids interested in agriculture today,” said Robert. “Agriculture is not just cows, sows, and plows.”

Josh said agriculture has opened his eyes to a different world that he wants to pass on to his students.

“Being a teacher provides the ability to introduce a world to students that can open their eyes and benefit them everyday of their lives,” said Josh. “I am working to explain the how and why to students.”

At OHS there is also a high demand for classes.

There are 30 students signed up for “Into to Ag” for the fall 2016 semester.

“We are running classes based on the interest levels, but we really could use a

Forreston FFA advisor Robert Nelson, FFA co-vice-president Rhett Merell, and FFA secretary Jamie Cullor. Photo

by Chris Johnson

second instructor,” said Josh. “I only have six classes per day but the interests and demands are varied at OHS.” Even though local schools have had a solid history of quality agriculture instruction, there is a shortage of teachers nationwide.

“There is a shortage of ag teachers in the nation and students will need to fill the void,” said Josh. “We are lucky to have the options we have at OHS.” “Ag education is improving in northwest Illinois and we are always looking for new opportunities,” Robert said.

“I have a student studying agriculture at UW Plattville and that student may become a teacher.”

One aspect that is being addressed in the classroom is becoming aware of new agriculture technologies.

“The new generation of teachers will need to be aware of all the new technology,” said Robert. “I am learning every day. The changes are coming. Drones are now a fantastic tool that helps the farmers observe their fields.”

Administrative support has remained high over the years in Forreston and Oregon.

Oregon High School ag teacher Josh Nelson and student Abby Martin. Photo by Chris Turn to C5 Johnson

Illinois schools struggle to fill vacant ag positions

The future may not be so bright for the Illinois’ agriculture industry, one of the state’s leading economic drivers, if more agricultural education teachers aren’t recruited and retained, and soon. Specifically, 25% of all jobs in Illinois are directly or indirectly related to agriculture.

Fortunately, Ogle County schools have passionate teachers.

A recent study by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS) finds that schools are struggling to fill positions and find qualified candidates. Those involved with agricultural education in Illinois could not agree more.

Over the past five years, demand for graduates in agriculture education has exceeded supply by an average of 32 per year.

The shortage of teacher candidates comes at the most inopportune time as Agricultural Education in Illinois is growing in order to supply the agriculture industry with the talent

necessary.

Only 65% of high school districts offer agriculture programs and less than 4% of the secondary student body takes an agriculture course.

This industry perspective fine-tunes the results of the IARSS findings which identified that 60% of Illinois school districts report trouble filling teaching positions and 75% of these districts are seeing fewer qualified candidates than in past years. Those numbers are much higher in rural districts, the Teacher Shortage Study notes.

Ultimately, the problem for agriculture is about teacher recruitment and retention.

“If you’re passionate about teaching but have large student loans to pay off, then you’re probably going to industry not the classroom,” said Andrew Bowman Chair of the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE).

Bowman cites statistics from a Purdue University study released in May where 57,900 new job opportunities

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are expected annually, but only 60% of those jobs will be filled by people with agricultural majors. As demand outpaces supply, salaries increase and school districts are less competitive.

“Our average first-year agricultural teacher salary is $36,975 compared to a $44,900 average for WIU and UofI ag-majors taking industry positions.

If you’re in debt, how do you say no to nearly an extra $10,000?

It’s unfortunate, but about 10% of our teachers could qualify for public housing based on Illinois’ median income,” Bowman said.

It’s a problem that the Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education team (FCAE) fights constantly.

Jess Smithers, FCAE Coordinator, points out that the demand for agricultural instructors is growing dramatically with an average of more than sixty vacancies annually for agriculture

teachers despite an average of six new agriculture programs over the last five years. But with only an average of twenty agricultural teachers graduating each year from Illinois universities, FCAE has had to resort to alternatively licensed, retired, and out-of-state candidates to meet the annual demand.

Smithers said, “It’s not ideal, but it gives students access to classroom instruction, work-based learning and leadership development. We seek the best candidates, but worry about filling the next vacancy.”

Industry is recognizing the alarming trend.

Doug Hanson, former agricultural teacher at Waterloo and Clifton Central High Schools, now with ProHarvest Seeds, and current ILCAE Board Member, sees great potential.

He said, “Our current state funding, which is only $1.8

million, is nowhere near enough. But we are working on solutions to increase teacher pay.”

ILCAE is also seeking to have agricultural education identified as a designated teacher shortage area by the Illinois State Board of Education, opening up loan forgiveness options. Since this is federal money, the state of Illinois pays nothing.

“That’s a common sense approach that won’t require arm-twisting in Springfield,” Hanson added.

Bowman agrees, stating that ILCAE membership

is also seeking to extend agricultural teachers’ contracts to increase their pay and also engage businesses statewide to invest in agricultural education.

He said, “We understand state funds are tight. And we understand that the private sector must provide resources to supplement, not replace, state funds. The solution is investors taking action in addition to donors writing checks.”

One in four future jobs in Illinois may depend on how successful ILCAE is in these endeavors.

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Farm Focus

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C5

Students have the passion for agriculture education

By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Students have been the backbone of agriculture programs at local schools, and without their passion the classes would not be available.

“Ag has opened my eyes to different things,” said Oregon High School Senior Abby Martin. “Agriculture is one of those things that we can relate to all aspects of life. It effects everyone.”

Over the past four years it has been difficult for Martin to decide which classes to take at OHS because of the variety of course offerings.

“At OHS there are a lot of classes to take, and it can be hard to pick and choose,” she said.

Ultimately she decided to stick with agriculture.

When Martin was a sophomore she took a class in the school greenhouse which led her to decide on a college career path.

“I am planning on attending Kish for production and horticulture then transferring to Southern,” said Martin.

“Programs like agriculture classes help students decide what they want to do. The elective courses at OHS help you figure out your passions.”

The one wish Martin would have liked to see was more class offerings at the school in agriculture.

“Unfortunately there is not much of a demand for advanced horticulture classes at the high school level,” she said.

Having a young teacher has allowed her to relate to the experiences in the classroom.

“Mr. (Josh) Nelson can offer advice on the projects we are working on because he has been through this,” Martin said. “He has helped spark my interest with what I want to do.”

Over in Forreston the students are also enjoying their adventures in agriculture.

Rhett Merrell is the co-vice president of the Forreston FFA. He has enjoyed the many contests that are held each year.

“I have started to understand the small differences between seed varieties,” he said. “The contests have you identify meats and seeds.”

Another competition is the annual poultry contest in April.

“I am looking forward

to beating Jamie this year,” Merrell joked.

Merrell and classmate Jamie Cullor have been neck and neck the past two years while competing in the contest.

“FFA is a lot of fun and we get to learn about a lot of agriculture,” Cullor said.

Her ties to agriculture and FFA cross generations.

The necktie she wears with her FFA uniform was her grandfathers.

“My tie was given to me by my grandpa and this was the tie he wore as a student,” said Cullor.

Both of these students are planning on studying agriculture in college.

Cullor would like to study agronomy and horticulture while Merrell may take a different route in his education.

“I am still deciding on post high school education,” said Merrell. “I may start at Highland or I may join the Army.”

One thing is certain for these two students, agriculture will always be a part of their lives.

“Ag has a big impact on our world. Without ag we would die off,” said Cullor.

“Ag means everything to life.”

“It is hard to get people to know agriculture is not just farming,” said Merrell. “We need to tell everyone about it.”

Cullor said everyday products like daily medications have ties to agriculture.

“Agriculture is everywhere,” she said.

The students are also grateful that the school administration and FFA alumni have been so supportive of the agriculture department.

“It was fun to bring our tractors to school on tractor day,” said Merrell. “The administration has been good and allows us to continue with the tradition.”

The alumni have helped purchase equipment for the department to allow new course offerings for the students.

Besides the help from these groups, the students themselves are working hard to improve the agriculture program.

“We are selling items to help fund our scholarships,” say Cullor. “We are also looking at trying to receive a grant to install an ultraviolet light project.”

When the students are not

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in the classroom they are taking field trips.

They may be fun excursions away from Forreston, but they are educational.

One trip the students took was to the Quad Cities to the John Deere factory.

“The new tractors may look the same but they are not the same tractors we are used to,” said Cullor.

Some of the newest tractors have GPS tracking to help farmers improve yields by maximizing the ground cover. Others have better turning features to help squeeze in extra rows of crops.

“Other new technologies we learned about are how drones and tablets are useful for agriculture,” said Merrell.

“Drones can fly over the fields and help estimate the yields while the tables record map the field. There are so many changes in agriculture every year.”

Without the trips, the students may not of had the chance to see these newest innovations.

There is also plenty of time for fun with agriculture.

The Forreston FFA held a karaoke night to sing the night away.

They would not admit if anyone sang Jason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor” or other agriculture themed hits.

Oregon FFA Chapter members Austin Wolber, Abigail Martin, Abigail Mongan, and Bre Pedersen visited the Illinois State Capitol March 1. Photo supplied

FFA Chapter visits capitol Members of the Oregon FFA Chapter visited the Illinois State Capitol on March 1 to participate in Ag Legislative Day. Austin Wolber, Abigail Martin, Abigail Mongan, and Bre Pedersen visited Representatives such as Tom Demmer to tell their stories in Agriculture Education.

The event was important due to Governor Rauner’s

planned budget.

In his plan, the Illinois Agriculture Education Line item is completely zeroed with no funds. This item provides 321 Agriculture programs with funds to purchase essential instructional resources.

This item also funds six staffers for the facilitating coordinators for agricultural education that provide continuing education and

professional resources for agriculture teachers.

The line item funds Ag in the Classroom for 549,000 students at the elementary level.

The State Board of Education recommends the increase of the line item from $1.8 to $3 million. Agriculture is the leading industry in Illinois supplying 25 percent of jobs in the state.

and when I look around all I see is talent and potential at OHS.” The support has even grown beyond the classrooms in Oregon. Josh said local industries have supported school programs including the welding program.

In Forreston

superintendent Sheri Smith supports everything students are involved from sports, to educational achievements.

“She goes to our activities and supports the students,” said Robert. “Our support from the administration is strong.”

The support extends

beyond the school.

Both programs have greenhouses that students work throughout the year to plan annual plant sales.

Administration supports classes From C4 “At OHS we have great administration that sees the value of having a vocational department and having art and music,” said Josh. “Those classes open possibilities for students.

There are so many wants and needs for these students

“Our greenhouse has been successful and it has taken a bigger direction with our class offerings,” said Robert.

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Farm Focus

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C6

Pending legislation has impact on agriculture

By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The Illinois Farm Bureau recently released its annual list of bills, pending before the Illinois General Assembly, that are likely to impact agriculture and related businesses.

Ogle County Farm Bureau Director Ron Kern pinpointed some of the legislation important to local farmers.

Especially important, he said are Senate Bill (SB) 2160 House Bill (HB) 4254 which seek to extend the current property tax assessments, set to expire at the end of this year, on vegetative filter strips to December of 2026.

“The taxes are lower on filter strips,” Kern said.

The vegetative filter strip assessment was created in 1996 to increase voluntary participation of farmers to build filter strips, which aid in combating soil erosion and nutrient leaching, he said.

They are also encouraged by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Department of Agriculture Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy that focuses on improving water quality.

This assessment was originally set to expired on Dec. 31, 2006, but was extended another 10 years to this December.

Another important bill is the Governor’s Harvest Emergency Proclamation in SB 2992 and HB4535.

Passage would authorize the Governor, during an emergency harvest situation, to allow for a 10 percent gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit increase to effectively transport agricultural commodities from the field to local grain bins and elevators in a more efficient manner, while also reducing truck traffic on local roads.

Under current Illinois law, the Governor can issue an emergency harvest declaration that allows a 20 percent tolerance for truck axle weights only.

During emergency harvest situations, an increased tolerance to axle weights does nothing to help provide additional efficiencies in transportation costs, according to the IFB newsletter.

The IFB is also supporting pending legislation that would exempt truck overweight fines from the Traffic and Criminal Conviction Surcharge.

During the spring session of last year the General

Assembly passed legislation that created reforms in law enforcement and a funding mechanism for body cameras worn by officers.

However, the mechanism used to provide additional funds for the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Fund and the Traffic and Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund created a significant burden on farmers and truckers in Illinois, the IFB newsletter said.

“These guys are getting hit hard on fines,” Kern said.

The law increased the surcharge for traffic violations and criminal convictions from $10 per $40 of fine to $15 per $40 of fine.

Pending legislation opposed by the IFB would require anyone selling meat in Illinois to package it with a label indicating the country in which the meat was produced.

Kern said language included in the bill could actually impede interstate commerce.

“We need a federal standard rather than state standards,” he said.

Several pending bills address changing township government to allow dissolving or consolidating townships and changing size limitations.

In light of the state’s budget woes, Kern said some of the changes might be advantageous but need to be carefully considered.

Several more bills address taxes of all kinds — estate tax, sales tax, motor fuel tax, and property tax.

“Taxes are always important,” Kern said.

Another bill would allow the formation of a foundation for the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The purpose of the foundation would be to accept private grants and donations and grants from the federal government to support the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair.

“We want that to happen,” Kern said.

With questions or for

more information about the upcoming legislation and the IFB’s stand call 309-557-2308 or email statelegislation@ilfb.org.

Some of the bills and an explanation from the IFB are below.

Besides the vegetative filter strip assessment, Governor’s Harvest Emergency Proclamation and truck overweight fine surcharges bills, other IFB legislative priorities include:

limitation on home rule powers does not apply to a specified ordinance adopted by the city council of City of Chicago.

The bill also creates a credit against the withholding tax liability of employers with fewer than 50 employees, calculated based on the increase in the minimum wage.

SB 2145 has been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee. IFB opposes it.

Expedited Review of Transmission Line Projects — SB 2551, HB 4969 SB 2551 and HB 4969 are a result of landowner concerns that have surfaced with the expedited review process used to approve high voltage transmission lines in Illinois.

They limit the use of the expedited review process to any transmission line that does not exceed 25 miles in length across privately owned real estate.

They also amend the process so that if a public utility seeks eminent domain powers after the commerce commission has issued an order using the expedited review process, then the time the commission has before it must issue its order regarding eminent domain is expanded from 45 days to 365 days.

SB 2551 is on first reading in the Senate. HB 4969 is in the House Rules Committee.

IFB supports SB 2551 and HB 4969.

Taxes Estate Tax Farm Property – HB 4650 HB 4650 exempts the value of farm property transferred to a qualified heir from the decedent’s taxable estate if any qualified heir of the decedent will be engaged in active management of the farm for a period of at least 10 years after the date of the transfer, or until the death of that qualified heir.

HB 4650 has been referred to the House Rules Committee.

IFB supports HB 4650.

Minimum Wage Increase — SB 2145 SB 2145 increases the minimum wage from $8.25 to $9 per hour beginning July 1, 2015 and increases it by $0.50 each July 1 until July 1, 2019, at which point the minimum wage will be $11.

It also states that the establishment of a minimum wage that employers must pay their employees is an exclusive power and function of the state and is a denial and limitation of the home rule powers and functions, except that the

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Estate Tax Repeal – HB 4962 HB 4962 states that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after the effective date or for transfers made on or after the effective date of the bill.

It eliminates the state estate tax in Illinois.

HB 4962 is in the House Rules Committee. IFB supports HB 4962.

Estate Tax Exclusion for Farmers – HB 6113 This bill allows that, for persons dying on or after July 1, 2016, if the decedent was a farmer, then the exclusion amount for that decedent shall be the federal exclusion amount, including any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount.

The term “farmer” in the bill is defined as a decedent

whose adjusted taxable estate consists of at least 75 percent farm property and who was engaged in active management of that farm property at any point during his or her lifetime.

HB 6113 has been referred to the House Rules Committee. IFB supports HB 6113.

Recouping of Estate Tax – SB 2776, HB 6052 SB 2776 and HB 6052 provide that, for persons dying on or after Jan. 1, 2017, the exclusion from the State Estate Tax shall be the applicable exclusion amount under the Internal Revenue Code.

This would recouple Illinois’ Estate Tax with the federal Estate Tax, increasing the exemption from the State Estate Tax. SB 2776 has been referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.

HB 6052 is in the House Rules Committee.

IFB supports SB 2776 and HB 6052.

Sales Tax - Seeds & Plants – HB 6208 HB 6208 states that a person who sells seeds or plants to a purchaser who uses those seeds or plants in raising vegetables, fruits, nuts, crops, or other plants for sale is selling those seeds or plants to purchasers for purposes of resale and is not required to remit the tax imposed under the act on those gross receipts.

This bill essentially exempts the sales of seed or nursery stock from sales tax when used for nonproduction agriculture activities for conservation programs.

HB 6208 is in the House Rules Committee.

IFB supports HB 6208.

Motor Fuel Tax Distributions – HB 5528

HB 5528 makes distributions from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to counties, municipalities, and road districts irrevocable and continuing appropriations to the Department of Transportation of all amounts necessary for those purposes.

This would allow Motor Fuel Tax funds to be distributed even in the event no state budget is passed.

HB 5528 has been referred to the House Rules Committee.

IFB supports HB 5528.

Wind Energy Property Tax Assessment– SB 2612 This bill extends the sunset date on the current process of assessing wind turbines for property tax purposes by five years.

Current law ends the process for assessing wind turbines at the end of the 2016 assessment year.

This bill would extend the sunset until the end of the 2021 assessment year.

SB 2612 has been assigned to the Senate Revenue Committee.

IFB supports SB 2612.

Ethanol Sale Tax Incentive – SB 3378 This legislation will sunset the current 20 percent sales tax incentive for E-10 ethanol upon becoming law, creates a 10 percent sales tax incentive for E-15 ethanol until Dec. 31, 2018, and creates three new grant programs to encourage the distribution of ethanol, increased efficiency of ethanol production, and development of future corn based fuel production.

The grant programs would receive a total of $25 million annually for three years.

HB 3378 has been assigned House Revenue Subcommittee on Sales and Other Taxes.

IFB supports HB 3378.

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Farm Focus

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C7

Beef association elects officers Luke Diehl, Mt. Morris, was re-elected president when the Ogle County Beef Association held its annual meeting Feb. 20 at the Pinecricker restaurant in Polo.

Reid Blossom, Illinois Beef Association (IBA) Executive Vice President, was the featured speaker for the evening.

He thanked the Ogle County Beef Association for its marketing efforts this past year and work with state and national legislative issues.

He stressed the economic importance of the beef industry in local communities and the State of Illinois.

Diehl, who has served as

president the past two years, reviewed the Ogle County Beef Association activities for the year including several fund raising activities.

The association may be seen at many community events around the county serving those tasty rib-eye steak sandwiches.

Much of the income from these events is donated back to the community.

During the year significant donations were made to the Ag in the Classroom program, food pantries, and the Village of Progress.

The Ogle County Beef Association has been a valued supporter of the Ogle County University of Illinois Extension 4-H program and the Ogle County Fair.

Newly elected Ogle County Beef Association officers and directors, pictured from left to right, are: Luke Diehl, Mt. Morris, president; Joe Baker, Oregon, director; Nate Davis, Oregon, director; Jon Pearson, Mt. Morris, vice president; Roger Macauley, Oregon, director; and Reid Blossom, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President.

Photo by Stan Eden

Local businesses and farms help support 4-H fair The annual 4-H Fair awards drive is now underway in Ogle County.

Area families and businesses are invited to help support local 4-H project work by sponsoring one or more awards to be given at the 2016 Ogle County 4-H Fair, which runs from Aug. 3-7.

Award donations are needed in the amounts of $15, $20, $25 and $35 to cover trophies, plaques, and rosettes. Donors may specify the fair departments they prefer to fund.

Departments include all of the following: exhibit building, foods, beef, cat, dairy, dog, goats, horse, quality meats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and swine.

Because a majority of Ogle County 4-H’ers prepare and enter project exhibits which are judged in the exhibit building, that department is by far the department requiring the

greatest financial support.

Exhibit building donors may direct their funds towards any one of a number of project areas including: child care, entomology, interior design, forestry, geology, robotics, natural resources, vegetable gardening, crops, electricity, aerospace, woodworking, citizenship, intercultural studies, life skills, photography, bicycle, animal science, public presentations, computer science, sewing and textiles, health, and more.

For children, there are few things more exciting than winning a trophy or plaque.

For more information or to make a donation, call the Ogle County Extension Office at 815-732-2191 for details.

Sponsorship forms can also be downloaded from the 4-H website at http://web. extension.illinois.edu/bdo/ .

A huge thank you to our

2015 sponsors who made these awards possible.

Sponsors for 2015 include:

6K Farm, A & B Cleaning, Adams Farm, Ag Tech, Anderson Feeds, Ankney Family, Bakers’ Acres, Ben and Emily Diehl, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, Brenda Holm, By-YBadgers 4-H Club, Cassens Farms, Cathy Anderson, Cin-Cinsational Dairy Goats, Conover Coffees & Chocolates, Cori Lamberson, Creative Designs, Dan and Becky Roush, Deb and Terry Schabacker, Dennis and Sharon Alderks, Detig Farms, Dr. Dan Retzer, Dr. Thomas Hughes, Forreston Vet Clinic, Dun Wright, E. D. Etnyre & Co., Ethel Macauley Memorial, Friend of 4-H, Gary Davis, Hackbarth Brothers Farms, Henry Properties, Homemakers Forever, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club, Hubbard Farms, Humphrey

Livestock, in memory of Arnold Noon, in memory of Brian Strite, in memory of Kristine Leather Paris, Indian Ridge Kennel Club, Irv’s Autobody, JBS Shorthorns - Joel and Lester Brooks, Jessica Keys, Jim and Pat Kloepping, Joe and Julie Ebens, John and Lauren Hintzsche, Kathy Pfeiffer, Kevin and Chris Carter, Leary Grain and Cattle, Lloyd Bellows Horseshoeing, Macauley’s Curview Angus, Maplehurst Farms Inc., Marquardt Family, Marsh Family, McCanse Family, Melody Hinkle, Milligan Herefords, Mini-Mart Store, Mongan’s Machine and Engineering, Mount Morris Kiwanis Club, Mowry Farms, Mt. Morris Kiwanis, Nordman Feedlots, Inc., Ogle County Beef Association, Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club, Ogle County Farm Bureau, Pat and Tanya Bushman, Photos

by Dallas Keys, PLN Mutual

100 days of school was celebrated As part of their 100 days of school celebration, Ag in the Classroom visited kindergarten classes in Tilton Elementary, Rochelle; Highland Elementary, Stillman Valley; and kindergarten and first graders at Kings Elementary.

During the program, students were read the book, “Ms. Bindergarten Celebrates 100 Days of Kindergarten.”

In the book each of Ms. Bindergarten’s students

bring in a collection of 100 items.

For example, Adam brought in a fort made of 100 popsicle sticks.

Students worked together to put each of the items in the book into one of the following categories: cotton, trees, pigs, soybeans, sugar, cows, and corn.

They learned how these all play a role in their everyday life. At the conclusion of the program, students used their imaginations to

create something new and agriculturally related using the number 100.

Agriculture in the Classroom is a program to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society.

Students learn that thousands of farm products are in the world around them—on their plate, in the clothes they wear, in the medicine that makes them well, and in earth-friendly

fuels and plastics.

Ag in the Classroom is offered through the University of Illinois Extension-Ogle County in partnership with Ogle County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Farm Bureau, Ogle County Soil & Water, and Carroll County Soil & Water.

For more information about the program, call the Ogle County Extension Office at 815-732-2191 or visit the Extension website at web.illlinois.edu/bdo.

Kayla Blume, Pine Creek Valley 4-H, shears her sheep during the 2015 fair. Photo by Chris Johnson

Insurance, Polo Cooperative Association, Polo Lions Club, R & E Show Cattle, R. E. Wolber & Sons Excavating, Inc., Rochelle Veterinary Hospital, Ron and Bev Shuman, Sarah J. Carter, Schier Trucking, Scholl Insurance Agency Inc., Snodgrass Farms, Spirit Tent Rentals, Stan and Loretta Eden, Stan’s Performance Inc., Stillman Bank, Stranberg Family, Summerhill Huskies 4-H Club, Taylor Angus Farm,

The Farm, The Fifth Alarm, Inc., Thomas Guschl Photography, Timber Lane Farms, Todd Seaworth, Turning Point Farm, Valley View Dairy, Weller Family, Wes’s Tree Service, White Pines Ranch, Zach Ankney, and Zane Ankney.

4-H is an informal youth education program conducted by University of Illinois Extension.

U of I Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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Lenny Bryson Auctioneer 900 S. Division Polo 815-946-4120

Farm Focus

Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page C8

Barn quilts brighten rural and urban landscapes Designs now decorate barns and buildings

By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Colorful and creative designs have been brightening up the rural landscape of Ogle County across Ogle County in the last several years.

In celebration of the county’s agriculture and art heritage, barn quilts now decorate not just barns, but corncribs, sheds, and other outbuildings.

Village and city residents are also participating, displaying the wooden quilt blocks on their garages and houses.

Carol Bellows set the trend locally, when she and her husband Lloyd put up the first one on the front of their corncrib at 4412 Henry

Rd., southwest of Oregon, in September of 2009.

She patterned her idea similar projects in Iowa and Wisconsin which draw tourists who follow barn quilt trails.

Barn quilts are usually large, colorful quilt blocks painted on plywood or even the side of the building.

Most are eight-feet square, but can be larger or smaller.

They do need to be large enough — and bright enough — to show up at a distance.

Barn quilts got their start in Ohio more than a decade ago.

Using old and weathered tobacco barns, the Ohio Arts Council encouraged local artists to paint traditional quilt squares on the barns, similar to how barns were once painted with logos, such as tobacco advertisements.

The project, which also paid tribute to crafters in the area, soon began attracting tourists and subsequently spread to neighboring states.

This patriotic design is displayed on Chuck and Cherri Myers’ corncrib at the intersection of Midtown and North Mt. Morris Roads, north of Mt. Morris.

It took a crew to put a barn quilt made in the anvil pattern on Lloyd and Carol Bellows’ corncrib at 4412 Henry Road, southwest of Oregon.

The Granny’s Fan pattern in rainbow hues decorates the front of the barn at Irwin and Donna Immel’s home at 6468 N. Leaf River Road, south of Leaf River.

A maple leaf marks the front of the sugar house where Rob and Lynnette Hough make - what else? — maple syrup at 3788 N. Mt. Morris Road, north of Mt. Morris.

Linda Meyer, Adeline, created this design in honor of her brother, the late David Short, Polo, who loved International farm equipment.

Photos by Vinde Wells and Chris Johnson

Harold and Lucille Woodin, 701 E. Dixon St., Polo, painted this barn quilt and others.

A compass barn quilt is appropriately on the side of hangar at the Ogle County Airport Vendor Lori Blask, Baileyville Barn Quilts warms up with a hot drink at last year’s on Ill. 64 between Mt. Morris and Oregon.

Autumn on Parade Farmer’s Market.