Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
The McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501 c 3 charity that focuses our efforts in two main areas. 1. Scholarships for students pursuing higher education in or related to the field of agriculture. 2. The Agriculture in the Classroom program (AITC) which provides teachers and classrooms with monthly agriculture presentations as well as resources and kits all at no cost to the school. AITC efforts are concentrated in the Pre K– 6th grade range.
Fun Farm Fact!
in this issue >>> 2011 Golf Outing Scholarship Recipients Teacher Spotlight Raffle Winners AITC Year End Review
“To promote agriculture through quality agriculture literacy efforts in the schools and communities of McDonough County.”
Scenes from the 2011 Foundation sponsored events at the 4-H Fair.
Summer 2011
In a lifetime, the average American will consume enough milk to fill 34 bathtubs!
Ag in the Classroom Year End Review
In a lifetime, the average American will consumer 1,239 chickens!
Farm Bureau Foundation Names Four Scholarship Recipients Four youth from McDonough County have been named recipients of the 2011 McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship. Each of the recipients will receive $500 to be applied toward the cost of continuing their education in an agricultural field. Kari Kelso, the daughter of Clarke and Deborah Kelso, is a 2008 graduate of Macomb Senior High School. She attends Oklahoma State University majoring in Animal Science and Pre Vet. Erika Ferguson, the daughter of Rick and Beth Ferguson, is a 2011 graduate of Bushnell Prairie-City High School. She will attend the University of Illinois and plans to major in Elementary Education. Jill Greuel, the daughter of Stephan Greuel and Paul and Lisa Butterfield , is a 2011 graduate of West Prairie High School. She plans to attend Spoon River College and major in Agriculture Business. Austin Tate, the son of Dennis and Diane Tate, is a 2009 graduate of West Prairie High School. He is currently attending Ranken Technical College and Carpentry and Construction Technology with an emphasis on construction management. The McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to be able to support agricultural education through its scholarship program. Congratulations to the 2011 McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship winners.
Summer is flying by and soon it will be time for school to start! This past school year was a great success. Check out these highlights of the Agriculture in the Classroom program (AITC).
August 2010 brought a new coordinator to the program. Retired teacher, Margaret Harn, accepted the position and got right to work on programs for the Fall. 278 programs were presented on topics that included: Pumpkins, Turkeys, Corn, Evergreen Trees, Soybeans, Soil, Dairy and Beef. That’s 100 more programs than last year! Close to 1,000 students PreK- 6th received AITC presentations per month That’s over 100 more students than last year! 417 Teachers received resources from the AITC program. New this year!!!!- Quarterly newsletters for parents! These newsletters compliment the lessons that are received in the classroom by the students.
West Central FS Donates to the Foundation
The following members graciously donated to our first annual McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation Annual Campaign. The Annual Campaign will be an annual effort to raise funds for the benefit of the Ag in the Classroom program. For more information on how to donate, please contact Sarah at the Farm Bureau office.
West Central FS recently continued their support of the Ag in the Classroom program by presenting a donation of $500 to the McDonough County Farm Bureau Foundation. Thanks to the high quality of FS Seeds, GROWMARK, Inc. and West Central FS are able to make a generous contribution to ensure the continued success of the Ag in the Classroom program in McDonough County. (Pictured left to right is West Central FS General Manager, Barry Schmidt and McDonough County Farm Bureau President, Jeffrey Butler.
the t fi e n be unty on l l wi h Co dati s ed noug Foun om e c o o Pro McD reau lassr Bu he C !!! m m t r Fa g in rogra A P Lunch Sponsor
Save the Date! 3rd Annual Foundation Golf Outing
4-Person Scramble/ $50 per person Includes 18 holes, ½ golf cart & lunch
Teacher Spotlight Cheryn Ramos 1st Grade, Lincoln Elementary Macomb
Why do you like Ag in the Classroom? Ag in the Classroom provides opportunities for my students to learn about the environment around them. Many of them have little experience with some of the agricultural ideas that they explore. For example, they know milk comes from a cow, but not about the process it takes to get the milk into the jug. Or they may have eaten corn on the cob from a store, but they do not know about all of the different uses that corn has. I like that no matter what the topic is, it is something that the students can directly relate to their lives.
Call t he Fa rm B ureau offic e by Augus t 15 to sig n up! 8373350
Saturday, August 20th 8 a.m. Tee Time Gold Hills Golf Course
Tournament Sponsor
How is AITC beneficial to your classroom? Ag in the Classroom benefits my classroom by providing resources and activities that supports the curriculum. The presenter plans the lesson according to the curriculum that we teach. It gives my students the opportunity to experience, apply and expand what they learn in other subject areas.
Elsie Archer Kelly & Cara Baker Nye Bouslog Steve & Janet Breckon Jeffrey & Melissa Butler Kathy Butler Charles & Janice Butterfield Tyler & Beth Carson Steven & Tamra Chipman Dean & Phyllis Cook Ron & Dorothy Curtis Grant & Lindsey Curtis Elaine Deems Don & Ruth Dexter George & Janet Dixon Todd & Sue Dixon Herbert Easley Dorothy Emory Rick & Beth Ferguson Jeremy & Tasha Hamm Leonard Hammond Steve & Lyren Haney Margaret & Jack Harn Marjorie Harris Bud & Deb Hobbs Steve & Lisa Hood Jay & Betty Hopkins Larry & Pam Hopkins Robert Hudson Lyle Hudson Ed & Millie Hunt Jake & Kara Hunt Colby Hunt
Scenes from “Dairy Days” Summer Youth Program at Spoon River College taught by AITC Coordinator Margaret Harn
Greg & Anna James Dan & Joyce Johnson Roger Kelso Jack Kepple Craig Lant Theodore & Judith Lefler Maurice & Georgia Litchfield Tim Lovejoy Jack & Sharon Lowderman James & Elizabeth McGrew Justin & Alison McGrew Adam & Stephanie McMillan Eileen Melvin Ned & Cathy Null Merle & Mildred Parks Paul Parks Jesse & Sally Pestle Mark & Janeen Peterson Harvey Provine Anne Richardson Jerry & Lynne Riggins Wanda Ruebush Jan Runner Chad & Dorvea Russell Eddie & Marjorie Sammons Lloyd & Mary Sandstrom Jerry & Pat Schisler Gary & Theresa Schmalshof Marilyn Ward Harlan Watson Mitchell & Sandy Welsh Shannon Welsh Mark & Sue Wolford John Zimmerman
What are your student’s favorite part about AITC? They love the hands on activities provided by the instructor. Whether it’s dressing up like a cow or making a garden glove, they remember the experience that they are provided with. What would you say to teachers that are not currently utilizing AITC? I hope that they would take advantage of the knowledge and resources available and watch the reactions of their students as they participate in Ag in the Classroom. It helps them make sense of the world around them.
Lantz & Ferguson Win Raffle JD Lantz and Rick Ferguson were the 2011 winners of the Heritage Equipment Raffle at the WIU Ag Mech Show. Lantz won the generator and Ferguson the chainsaw. Both prizes were donated by Heritage Equipment Company, Macomb. Pictured from left to right is Shawn Hendel, Sales Manager; Rick Ferguson; JD Lantz; and Sarah Grant, MCDFB Manager
As a special treat, Steve Hess and daughter, Alison from Heritage Grain & Dairy brought a 10 day old dairy calf to visit the students.