Franklin County Farm Bureau News

By Gay Bowlin
Another week when not many farmers are farming.  I hear that if anyone has planted anything it is mostly beans and not corn. With rain scheduled for the end of this week it looks like not much will be planted this week either.

With that said – this Saturday is the Rend Lake Water Festival Parade and that means that the 7th Annual Farmers Memorial Antique Tractor Drive will be happening.  We will be at the beginning of the parade and then continue on with our route over the lake.

If you have not registered for the Tractor Drive yet we will be at the old Toler Cinema on West Washington Street at 8:15 and a $25 registration fee is required.  You will receive a t-shirt and an amazing fish dinner.  Or if you just want to enjoy seeing all of the old tractors we will see you on the parade route.
Last Tuesday evening I was very proud to attend the Honors Awards Night at Sesser-Valuer High School and present Marissa Lamczyk with a scholarship for $500 from the Franklin County Farm Bureau and a $910 scholarship from the Young Leaders.  Marissa is the daughter of Melissa Lamczyk, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator and Mark Lamczyk who works at the U of I Extension.  Marissa is planning on becoming a Veterinarian and we wish he the best.

Farmers Markets around the County begin this week. Check out your local market and enjoy home-made items and some fresh foods as well.

Melissa was busy last week setting up incubators and I will keep you posted as to the outcome in each classroom of the number of chicks hatched plus ducks as well.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service  (NASS) is reminding farmers to complete their questionnaires and get them in. The numbers are down this year and by turning in your questionnaire it saves in-person and phone conversations to gather this information.

On the legislative side – SB486, Amendment #1, and HB 5284 both establish a standardized method of assessing commercial solar energy systems for property tax purposes. IFB policy supports a standard method of assessing solar energy systems and supports providing protection for landowners should a solar conversion system owner fail to pay property taxes. IFB is nearing an agreement with representatives of the solar energy developers, County assessors and other interested parties on the t cynics, aspects of the assessment process.  Stand by for more information as it becomes available to me.

Looking for more information on the 2018 Farm Bill? You can go to farmdoc.daily where they have released an initial review of cost estimates of the bill, farm programs and crop insurance, conservation programs and nutrition programs.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.