1 Front Volume 141 No. 14
Friday, May 30, 2014
The Tonica News
Single Copy Cost 50¢
2012 Census of Agriculture released More young people choosing farming as a full-time job By Goldie Currie Shaw Media Service
TONICA — The 2012 Census of Agriculture is revealing new trends in farming.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final Census data and reported record sales moderated by rising expenses; agriculture becoming increasingly diverse; and farming
and marketing practices changing. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a statement with the data, saying it illustrates the power of USDA efforts to grow the economy and strengthen infrastructure in rural America. “The Census shows the potential for contin-
ued growth in the bioeconomy, organics and local and regional food systems. USDA will continue to focus on innovative, creative policies that give farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs the tools they need to attract a bright and diverse body of talent to rural America.” An interesting highlight
from the Census data shows that 22 percent of all farmers were beginning farmers in 2012, which means one out of every five farmers operated a farm for less than 10 years. Young, beginning principal operators who reported their primary occupation as farming increased from 36,396 to 40,499 between
2007 and 2012. That’s an 11.3 percent increase in the number of young people selecting agriculture as a full-time job. Jake Warner is one such individual. Warner farms outside of Wenona and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Census Page 3
Sherman: Getting it done for Tonica By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — Heather Sherman, Tonica village clerk, came into the position in a roundabout way. “The neighbor across the way was involved with the board, and the old clerk was looking to retire,” Sherman said. “So I ran in the next election and totally lost.” However, circumstances were such that Sherman was tapped to be village clerk by then-mayor Roger Thompson. It was a great fit. Sherman, a new mother at the time, was able to bring her new daughter to work. “It kind of turned into something that was helping me out,” she said. The job has ended up being a little of everything, Sherman said. The village clerk prepares and sends out the water bills, handles the park shelter reservations and liquor licenses and handles phone calls, answering questions various residents have. “It’s the meetings and the minutes and a lot of miscellaneous things,” Sherman said. Being the village clerk keeps Sherman in the midst of what goes on in the village. She gets calls, not always happy ones, about things going on with the village. “Pleasing everyone is the main thing with this position,” she said. “It’s often about compromise.”
Sherman Page 3 Vol. 141 No. 14 One Section - 8 Pages
Tonica News photos/Dixie Schroeder
Parents, grandparents and guardians eat with Tonica Grade School kindergarden through second grade students during the annual Field Day and Family Picnic held on May 21 at the school.
A fun way to wrap up a great school year! TGS holds annual Field Day and Picnic By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
TONICA – The end of the school year at Tonica Grade School brought another tradition that not only the students, but their parents and grandparents enjoy — the annual Field Day and Picnic. The Field Day started in the morning with the students being escorted outside by class and taken through a series of games like limbo, fun with chalk and the parachute game. Students enjoyed the weather which had finally become sunny and rain free on May 21. Kindergarten students Grant Kumerall and Christian Conrad had fun.
“I liked the limbo; I’m really good at that,” Christian said. “We also played chalk and the cool parachute game,” Grant said. For some, it is simply a fun day, being able to be outside and play all day with friends. “”We get to eat and play all day. That is a lot of fun,” Desiree Sluder said. Destiny Sluder said, “The parachute game was the best. You get to go down under the chute, and there are balls under it.” The picnic part of the day is set up outside, where the cafeteria staff led by Michelle Carmean prepares hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, fruit, carrots and dip and chips to eat picnic style with their families. For dessert, everyone enjoyed ice cream
Holly Gingerich (left) and Ava Engels get condiments from Tonica Grade School Student Council members Mary Claire Jesti (right) and Tyler Marcinkus during the annual Field Day and Family Picnic event on May 21. sandwiches. Carmean noted this meal is a little easier than the Thanksgiving one to prepare. The staff plans on feeding 400 people, between students and visitors to make sure there is enough food
Inside Memorial Day services held in Tonica See Page 2
© The Tonica News
for everyone. Parents and grandparents were able to make reservations through the office to join their children in the three lunch sessions the school has. Brightly colored picnic blankets were placed on the front lawn of the school along with lawn chairs for families to eat together. The Tonica Junior High School Student Council members were on hand to help serve during the younger student’s lunches. Hailey Soran said, “I’m glad we get to help everyone.” Tonica Grade School cafeteria worker Carrie Colemane enjoys the annual event. “Its a fun day today and the families get to sit and enjoy,” she said. “It goes by grade with kindergarden and goes up from there. It’s pretty nice to see everyone here like this.”