Our Mission
Be a voice for agriculture by providing leadership and services that enhance the quality of life in Whiteside County.

Events & News

Young Leaders Support Local FFA Chapters

The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Young Leaders presented checks to the county’s three FFA chapters in Morrison, Prophetstown and Sterling. The $500 donations were part of the proceeds from the Breakfast for Agriculture Education held in March.

In addition to the FFA donations, the Young Leaders awarded three $1,000 scholarships to local students studying agriculture.

For information on the Young Leaders program and their activities, contact Matt Lillpop, Executive Director of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau®, at (815) 772-2165 or matt.wcfb@gmail.com.

Farm Bureau Supports Local Food Bank

On October 2, the Whiteside County Farm Bureau® presented a $500 check to the Sauk Valley Foodbank. “Sauk Valley Foodbank is a tremendous asset to local community food pantries. We are proud to support an organization that does so much to help those in need,” says Don Temple, President of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau.

Scenes from the 2019 summer Farm Camps

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FOUNDATION NEWS

Diane Baker
Agriculture Literacy
Coordinator
aitcwhiteside@gmail.com

Scholarships Available

The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation is pleased to announce the 2020 scholarship program for area students majoring in a field of agriculture. The Foundation is offering the following scholarships:
  • Up to three $2,500 scholarships to high school graduates planning to study agriculture at a four-year college/university.
  • Up to two $2,500 scholarships to a current college student majoring in agriculture at a four-year college/university.
  • One $1,000 scholarship to a high school or college students planning to attend or currently attending a two-year college/technical school that is studying in a field of agriculture.
 
For details about the scholarship program, including eligibility requirements, visit the Foundation’s website. Students can complete the application at https://form.jotform.com/82604098889978. The application deadline is February 28, 2020.
 
Interested persons can contact Matt Lillpop, Executive Director of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation, at (815) 772-2165 or matt.wcfb@gmail.com for more information.

Summer Internships Available

     The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation is funding up to three summer internship positions to assist in the coordination of the Foundation’s summer 2020 Farm Camp program.
     The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation is a general not-for-profit corporation organized under IRS Code 501(c)(3) with one of its goals being to serve the needs of our county’s youth through education and other opportunities, so that they may increase their knowledge of agriculture.
     The internship is open to high seniors graduating in the spring of 2020 and current college students.  Preference will be given to applicants from Whiteside County who have a farm background and/or are studying an agriculture- or communications-related field. Additional internship information, including access to the online application, can be found by visiting the Foundation’s website www.wcfbfoundation.org/summer-internship.
    Interested persons can contact Matt Lillpop, Executive Director of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation, at (815) 772-2165 or matt.wcfb@gmail.com. The application deadline is March 13, 2020.

Classroom Grants Awarded

     The Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation awarded four grants of $200 each to four local schools. The grant program offers grants to pre-school through high school teachers in Whiteside County, in a public or private school system, to fund projects promoting agricultural literacy.
      To date, classroom grants have been awarded to the following:
  • Kelly Ottens, Prophetstown Elementary
  • Sara Krabbenhoeft, Christ Lutheran School, Sterling
  • Susan Zambelloni, Dillon Elementary, Rock Falls
  • Kristi Chavira, Merrill Elementary, Rock Falls
 
     Criteria for the classroom grants are as follows:
  • Priority will be given to applicants purchasing resources that will last more than one school year.
  • Priority will be given to first-time applicants that meet all grant requirements.
  • Projects may be, but are not limited to, agricultural teaching units, classroom presentations, field trips and career fairs.
  • Projects should focus on integrating agriculture into a variety of curriculum areas.
  • This grant will not fund consumable items such as landscaping, plants, incubators, and one-time use consumables.
  • Applications combining multiple classrooms are eligible for one grant award of $200.
 
Items considered when evaluating applications:
  • Quality and uniqueness of the agricultural lesson, activity or project
  • Integration of agriculture into a variety of curriculum areas
  • Quality and completeness of application
 
     The online application will be open until January 31, 2020, or until grant funds are exhausted. To apply, visit https://form.jotform.com/92164230490956. Winning applicants will be notified within one week of submitting an application. A final report will be due by Friday, May 15, 2020.
 
Please direct questions to Matt Lillpop, Executive Director of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation, at (815) 772-2165 or matt.wcfb@gmail.com.
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Illinois Agricultural Association
1701 Towanda Avenue
Bloomington, IL 61701