McLean County Farm Bureau

Weathering the Storm - Stress Management Workshop
2024-09-11 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Gridley Public Library
Local farmers care for their communities, which we know can take a toll on them. From unpredictable weather patterns to the rising cost of goods, farming is stressful. The Weathering the Storm program helps farmers and local growers understand the signs and symptoms of chronic stress. Join University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator Sara Attig as she shares how to identify common stressors, recognize symptoms, and access practical management tools and techniques to reduce the effects of unwanted stress.
To register, call the Gridley Public Library at (309) 747-2284.
*There is a 5 participant minimum for this workshop to take place.

Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Training
2024-09-05 13:30 - 15:00 | ASMARK Agricenter
Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower training will be offered Sept. 5 or Oct. 8 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the ASMARK Agricenter, 14171 Carole Drive in Bloomington.
To register online click here or contact Jenny Eisenbeis at Illinois Farm Bureau at 309-557-3207. Additional dates and locations for in person training around the state are listed on the website.
Online certification can also be completed at any time through the Illinois Department of Agriculture at agr.illinois.gov/
The training covers properties of ammonia, safe operating practices, transportation safety, personal protective equipment & first aid and emergency/leak response.
Effective April 1, 2022, Illinois growers and grower farm operators who transport or apply anhydrous ammonia, or otherwise maintain anhydrous ammonia equipment must complete certified grower training.
Certification is valid for three years, after which a refresher course is needed to recertify.

Office Closed - Labor Day
2024-09-02

Prime Timers
2024-08-22 11:30 - 13:30
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, August 22 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from Jason’s Deli, chips & dessert). Reservations for lunch are required by August 20.
Speaker: Maureen Brunsdale, ISU Milner Library
Topic: Circus History in Bloomington-Normal
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Ag History Bus Tour
2024-08-08 08:00 - 12:30
Join us for an ag-mazing bus tour of northern McLean County & into Woodford County.
Highlights: Yuton Grain Elevator; White Oak Wind Farm; several sites in Hudson; Oneida Ghost Town; Evergreen Stables; various stops in El Paso; Kappa; Coon Ford Bridge
Tour narrated by Local Ag Historian, Don Meyer & McLean County Museum of History Librarian, Bill Kemp
Cost: $40 for Farm Bureau/Museum members, $45 for non-members
Coffee and donuts will be available at 7:45 a.m. Bus will leave from the McLean County Fairgrounds promptly at 8:15 a.m. and return approximately 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 50 passengers, with a minimum of 28 people required to secure the motor coach.
Registration is due by July 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Register online or call the Museum at 309-827-0428 to pay with a credit card.
Teachers can earn 4 PDCHs from the University of Illinois Extension Livingston-McLean-Woodford Unit. Please note on your registration if you are a teacher and wish to obtain the PDCHs.

IL Soybean Association Ag Legislative Breakfast
2024-08-05 07:30 - 09:00
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) invites McLean County farmers to an Ag Legislative Breakfast Monday, August 5 from 7:30 – 9 a.m.

Gain insights into the state and federal legislative landscapes and ISA’s eﬀorts to advocate for Illinois farmers.

The event will be held at the ISA office 1108 Trinity Lane in Bloomington.
The event is open to anyone in the ag community, ISA membership is not required.

A light breakfast will be provided. The event will also include the Illinois Pork Producers
Association.

To register, click the button below or contact Matthew Johnston at ISA at matthew.johnston@ilsoy.org or (309) 846-
4598.

Ag Tech Innovation Showcase
2024-08-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Heartland Commuity College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
What’s the next generation of on-farm innovation?
Join Illinois Farm Bureau on August 1 to find out at the 2024 AgTech Innovation Showcase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Heartland Community College Ag Complex.
The event is free to join & includes lunch.
Learn more and register at https://on.ilfb.org/agtech24

MCFB Foundation Golf Outing
2024-07-15 09:30 - 15:30
Golf Outing – July 15, 2024

Time: 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $90 per golfer or $360 per foursome
Includes golf cart(s), 18 holes of golf, lunch, snacks and ribeye dinner!
Plus raffles, contests & prizes
Location: The Den Golf Course, Bloomington
You can also join us for the ribeye dinner for just $20!

All proceeds benefit the ag education efforts of McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation

Members Night Out
2024-06-29 17:00 - 20:00
Save the Date for Members Night Out!
Join us for a casual evening at the West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds Saturday, June 29 from 5-8 pm. Family friendly event for Farm Bureau members & all ages are welcome!
Registration deadline June 25.

Prime Timers
2024-06-27 11:30 - 13:30
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, June 27 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (sandwiches from La Gondola, chips & dessert). Reservations for lunch are required by June 25.
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Cover Crop Focus Group
2024-06-10 18:00 - 20:30
Farmers are invited to participate in a focus group to discuss cover crops June 10 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau office, hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.
Food & drink will be provided and the first 20 participants to register will receive a $100 stipend!
To register and secure a stipend, RSVPs are requested by Monday, May 27th.
RSVP by contacting Gisele Hamm, Program Director at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at 309.333.5065 or gf-hamm@wiu.edu, or by completing the short questionnaire at https://forms.gle/Gpf4RjhsN7XL4kku8.
Focus groups will also be held at the June 11 at St. Clair County Farm Bureau in Bellville and June 12 at the Effingham County Farm Bureau in Effingham.
Funding is provided by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No. 2019-69012-29851 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Golden Clover Nomination Deadline
2024-06-01
Know an outstanding 4-H Club or McLean County Fair volunteer? Nominate them to receive a Golden Clover Award! Deadline is June 1, 2024.
Golden Clover Awards recognize individuals for outstanding service to 4-H and the McLean County Fair. Awards are given in these categories:

Golden Clover – volunteer of retirement age
Emerald Clover – deceased person who has not previously received a Golden Clover
Special Clover – Extension or fair staff of retirement age

Click here for the Nomination Form
Click Here for list of Past Winner

Summer AITC Workshop
2024-05-29 - 2024-05-30
Teachers: Join McLean County Ag in the Classroom as we explore “Awesome Agriculture” May 29 &30!

2 days of field trips & hands-on learning
16 PDCHs + option to earn 1 hour graduate credit
Geared for pre-K to grade 12 educators
Learn about FREE resources for STEM lessons

Cost is $35 for the workshop (optional grad credit is $100 tuition)

Prime Timers
2024-04-25 11:30 - 13:30
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (boxed lunches for Jason’s Deli). Reservations for lunch are required by April 23.
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

ISU Cover Crop Field Day
2024-04-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Illinois State University Research Farm, 25578 ISU Farm Lane, Lexington, IL, 61753, United States
ISU Cover Crop Field Day will be April 12 from 4-6 pm at the ISU Farm in Lexington, IL (25578 ISU Farm Lane, Lexington, IL 61753).
Topics will include successes and challenges, implementation, profitability, regenerative agriculture, climate smart agriculture, and ecosystem services.
Click here for the event flyer.

Office Closed - Happy Easter!
2024-03-29

Transmission Line Landowner Meeting
2024-03-28 18:30 - 20:00 | West Expo, McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
McLean County Farm Bureau will host a meeting for Farm Bureau members regarding a proposed transmission line project Thurs., March 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Expo on the McLean County fairgrounds. A virtual option will also be available to livestream the event.
Speakers will include Illinois Farm Bureau attorneys Laura Harmon and Garrett Thalgott, who will provide an overview of the potential project, route approval process and key items for landowners to consider.
Ameren has proposed a route for new right of way for a transmission line in Allin, Dale, Bloomington and Old Town townships. The line is proposed along existing right of way in Dawson, Arrowsmith and Cheney’s Grove townships.
To see the proposed route, click here.
Link to IL Commerce Commission Case, click here.

March 19 at 10 a.m. – Peoria or Virtual
2024-03-19 10:00 - 11:30
Get the latest on transportation rules and regulations for Illinois farmers with the Rules for the Road program – dates & locations listed below.

March 5 at 10 a.m. – Sangamon County (Rush Truck Center, Springfield)
March 13 at 6 p.m. – Livingston County (Precision Planting, Pontiac)
March 19 at 10 a.m. – Peoria County (Peoria County Farm Bureau Office, Peoria
March 19 at 10 a.m. – Virtual

More dates/locations listed in the graphic above, these 3 are just the ones closest geographically to McLean County.

Chamber Ag Awareness Breakfast
2024-03-19 07:00 - 08:30
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce Agri-business Council invites you to celebrate and show support for agriculture education and the advancement of agriculture in our community during the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Awareness Breakfast on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
The breakfast highlights FFA Service Award Winners, Maitland Scholarship Fund Recipients, and will feature a keynote address from Heartland Community College President, Keith Cornille.
The event program will begin at 7:00 am on March 19th, is open to the community, and free to attend thanks to our generous event sponsors.

Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Training
2024-03-18 13:30 - 15:00
A free session Certified Grower Training session will be held Monday, March 18 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Asmark Agricenter in Bloomington.

This will be the ONLY in-person session before the spring anhydrous application season. Advance registration is not required.

Under state law, Illinois growers and grower farm operators who transport or apply anhydrous ammonia, or otherwise maintain anhydrous ammonia equipment, must complete online or in-person certified grower training.

The requirement for training took effect April 1, 2022. Certification is valid for three years, after which a refresher course will be required to re-certify.

Click here for more information or to complete training online.

Rules for the Road - Pontiac
2024-03-13 18:00 - 20:30

Volunteer Night at Midwest Food Bank
2024-03-06 18:00 - 20:00
McLean County Farm Bureau members are invited to volunteer at Midwest Food Bank Wednesday, March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. hosted by Young Leaders & Illinois State University Collegiate Farm Bureau.
Kids ages five and older are welcome to volunteer along with parents.
Please sign up & fill out the volunteer waiver by Feb. 28.
Please arrive about 5- 10 minutes early. Closed toed shoes are required.

Rules for the Road - Springfield
2024-03-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Rush Truck Center, 3441 Gatlin DR, Springfield, IL, 62707, United States

Next Level Grain Marketing
2024-02-29 18:30 - 20:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Ready, set – market! Expand your understanding and skills for successfully marketing your grain with two upcoming classes:

Feb. 22 – Grain Marketing Fundamentals
Feb. 29 – Next Level Grain Marketing

Classes will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau building, 2242 Westgate Drive in Bloomington and also available virtually (via Zoom).
Instructors:

Dr. Maria Boerngen, Illinois State University
Brian Basting, Advance Trading

Registration costs:

Farm Bureau member fee (per farm): $20 per class/$40 for both
Non-member registration fee (per farm): $25 per class/$50 for both

More than one person per family/farm can attend the classes. Minimum of 12 farms must register for the class to be held.

A Night for Agriculture
2024-02-24 17:30 - 21:00 | McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States
Join us February 24, 2024 for a fun night to celebrate & support McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation!

5:30 p.m. – Social Hour
6:30 p.m. – Dinner & Program
$75 per person – Steak Dinner, Cash Bar, Silent & Live Auctions, Raffles & More!

Your support helps us…

Grow Knowledge through McLean County Ag Classroom + the Food & Farm Fun Zone at McLean County Fair
Nurture the Future through Ag Science Grants for teachers & FFA Matching Grants
Cultivate Excellence through Ag Leadership Scholarships

Grain Marketing Fundamentals
2024-02-22 18:30 - 20:00 | McLean County Farm Bureau, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61705, United States

Prime Timers
2024-02-22 11:30 - 13:30
Prime Timers will meet Thursday, February 22 at 11:30 a.m. the McLean County Farm Bureau Office, 2242 Westgate Drive, Bloomington.

Lunch will be available for $5 per person (pasta, salad & bread from Avanti’s). Reservations for lunch are required by February 20.
Speaker: Jane Chamberlain, LeRoy Replex
Topic: Heart Healthy activities
The Prime Timers group is geared for any Farm Bureau members of retirement age.

Private Pesticide Applicator Clinic & Test - Springfield
2024-02-16 08:00 - 15:00 | Illinois Department of Agriculture, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
University of Illinois Extension will host private pesticide applicator training & testing Feb. 16 a the State Fairgrounds/IL Department of Agriculture building in Springfield.

Private Applicator Training – 8:00 am – 11:45 am
Private Applicator Testing – 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The cost is $45 and pre-registration is required.

That Won't Happen to Me - Emergency Planning on Your Farm
2024-02-12 09:30 - 13:00 | Epiphany Farms Estate, 23676 E 800 North Rd, Downs, IL, 61736, United States
Does your farm have an emergency plan of action in place if the need should arise?
Join Farm Broadcaster, Mike Pearson, for “That Won’t Happen to Me – Emergency Planning on Your Farm” at Epiphany Farms Estate February 12.

Doors Open 9:30 am
Brunch Served at 10:00 am
Program Begins at 11:00 am

Hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau & COUNTRY Financial
Registration will be open December 1st through January 26th.
Click here for more details

Ag Bites Breakfast
2024-02-06 08:00 - 09:30 | Heartland Commuity College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Rise and shine for Ag Breakfast Bites to check out the new Agriculture Building at Heartland Community College.

The event will be held Tuesday, February 6 in the new ag facility.

Agenda:

7:30 a.m. – Doors Open
8 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Program

Speaker: Heartland Ag Faculty & Students
Hear about Heartland’s first study abroad trip to South Africa plus stick around for the opportunity to tour the new ag building at 9 a.m.
Ag Bites is geared for professional & voting members.
