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

Events & News

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) is accepting applications for its Illinois Veterinary Education and Training (IVET) loan program. Loans are available to students attending any accredited college of veterinary medicine in the U.S.
                The program loans up to $40,000 to as many as three veterinary students each year. Loans are made over a period of 2-3 years. IVET awards recipients a $1,500 stipend during their fourth year in school to help pay expenses associated with clinical rotations. Loans are repaid over a 5-year period, during which graduates must commit to working in a food animal practice that services Illinois livestock producers.
                Applications are due May 1, 2018 and can be found here:  www.ilfb.org/IVET. The selection committee will interview applicants in spring 2018 at the IAA building in Bloomington, IL. Successful applicants will be notified by mail.
                IFB established IVET in 2005. Since then, the organization has awarded more than $430,000 to 20 veterinary students who focus on caring for food animals in Illinois.
                The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of 396,000 and a voting membership of more than 79,000. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.

Young Leaders Launch FFA Jacket Scholarship Program

The symbolic blue corduroy is much more than Official Dress, but an icon of an American tradition–instilling pride and responsibility in those who wear it. But not everyone can wear the jacket. Not because they don’t deserve to…but because they can’t afford to. To meet this need, the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Young Leaders have started an FFA jacket scholarship program.
 
The “TRUE BLUE FFA Jacket Scholarship Program” will provide funding for up to ten Whiteside County FFA members to receive their own FFA jackets.
 
The application process opened October 23 and is open to current freshman and sophomore students. The following qualifications must be met to apply for a new FFA jacket:
  • Student must be currently enrolled in an agriculture class.
  • Student must currently be in good standing. (not failing any classes)
  • Student must have attended at least one (1) FFA meeting or activity this school year.
To apply, students can complete an online application at: https://form.jotform.com/72905111553955. Advisors are to review the application and also sign it. The application deadline is January 12, 2018.

Foundation, Young Leaders Donate to Morrison FFA

This fall, the Morrison school district re-implemented high school agriculture education. Under the direction of Buddy Haas, the program has had an active first semester. To assist the Morrison FFA chapter send its officers to the national FFA Convention, the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation and Whiteside County Farm Bureau’s Young Leaders each donated $500 to help offset trip expenses. Pictured with Morrison FFA officers and members are (left) Doug Kuehl, President of the Foundation board of directors, and Jeremey Geerts, Chair of the Young Leaders.

FOUNDATION NEWS

www.wcfbfoundation.org
Hiring:  Ag Literacy Coordinator

The Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation is hiring an individual to fill the Agriculture Literacy Coordinator position.  A link to the position description is below. This is a permanent, part-time contractual position with an expected starting date of April 1, 2018. The application deadline is February 23.

To apply, send resume and cover letter to Matt Lillpop, Executive Director of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation. Interviews will be scheduled for early March. Interview will include candidates developing a classroom-style presentation using Agriculture in the Classroom resources provided to candidates.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation is pleased to announce the 2018 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 mAY 2018 high school graduates
  • Up to two $2,500 scholarships to current college students
Applicants can apply by visiting: https://form.jotform.com/53356186194967.

The application deadline is March 2, 2018.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
The Whiteside County Farm Bureau® Foundation is funding up to three summer internship positions to assist in the coordination of the Foundation’s summer 2018 Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) programs. AITC is an educational program designed to educate students of all ages on agriculture’s role in society.

The internship is open to high seniors graduating in the spring of 2018 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 can be found by visiting the Foundation’s website, http://www.wcfbfoundation.org/summer-internship.html.

The online application can be found at https://form.jotform.com/52774147717968.

The application deadline is March 16, 2018.
Over the Road Information All Farmers Needs to Know

Kevin Rund, Senior Director of Local Government for Illinois Farm Bureau, has updated the Motor Vehicle Rules for Illinois Farmers booklet.  You can download the complete booklet by clicking on the image.
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
Contact the Farm Bureau office for more information

Scenes from the 2017 summer Farm Camps

AITC Now On Facebook

Attention teachers!  Whiteside County Agriculture in the Classroom is now on Facebook.  Get updates on programs, grants and resources available for use in your classroom.

Illinois Farm Bureau News

Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701