Member News

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Bane, Stanko Earn IL Ag in the Classroom Honors

A McLean County teacher and a McLean County farmer earned statewide recognition for their Ag in the Classroom efforts. Pat Bane, a McLean County hog farmer from Arrowsmith, was named an Illinois Ag in the Classroom Volunteer of the Year for decades of work helping others learn about agriculture. Bane helped establish the McLean County Fair Food & Farm Fun Zone educational exhibit and continues to serve on the committee to help plan and facilitate

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McLean County Farm Bureau Community Engagement Chair,
Karen Corrigan (center), delivered food items to the Heartland
Community College Food Pantry in honor of Giving Tuesday.

Giving Back for Giving Tuesday

McLean County Farm Bureau Community Engagement committee contributed to several local nonprofit organizations in honor of “Giving Tuesday.” Baby Fold – diapers & wipes Brightpoint Crisis Nursery – diapers & wipes Bloomington-Normal Boys & Girls Club Heartland Community College Food Pantry – food items Home Sweet Home – meat gift certificate Midwest Food Bank – Hope Packs school food backpacks Project Oz – healthy snacks Salvation Army Safe Harbor – meat gift certificate School Street

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Sen. Tom Bennett farm visit

Legislator Harvest Visits

McLean County Farm Bureau hosted several state legislators for harvest field visits in during the month of October. The visits provided an opportunity for legislators who represent portions of McLean County to ride along in a combine, experience farming firsthand, talk about agricultural issues and build relationships with local farmers. We appreciate Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City), Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington), and Rep. Dennis Tipsword (R-Pontiac) for taking

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Leadership McLean County 2023

Ag Day Highlights Key Issues for Local Farmers

Local business leaders explored McLean County farming and agribusiness during Agriculture Day held Oct. 5 for a group of 30 local business leaders. McLean County Farm Bureau sponsors Ag Day each year for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Leadership McLean County program. Dr. Lucas Maxwell of Illinois State University kicked off the program with an overview of the global food system. Additional speakers included Bill Bodine, Illinois Farm Bureau; Pat Bane, local pig farmer;

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Sophomores and Juniors at LeRoy High School learned about
sharing the road with farm equipment at Rural Route Safety Day
facilitated by McLean County Farm Bureau Aug. 28. Equipment
for the event was provided by O’Neall Scholl Farms.

Rural Route Safety Days

Checking out the visibility from a tractor or combine seat proved to be an eye-opening experience for local high school students at Rural Route Safety Days held at LeRoy High School Aug. 28 and Lexington High School Sept. 8. Students had the chance to climb in the tractor cab to see what farmers can see and what they cannot see from the driver’s seat. Farmer volunteers shared safety tips and personal experiences with close calls

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