March Field Notes
3/17/20
Hello everyone,

I wanted to write today to share some changes we will be making around our office given the current situation surrounding COVID-19. Starting tomorrow we will be limiting our staffing. Please be aware that these plans may change at any time. As of now we plan to be in the office to answer any phone calls. For your health and safety and the safety of our staff we do ask that you refrain from visiting our office in person and ask you to call our office at 815-942-6400.

You can reach us via email at:
Victoria- manager@kendallgrundyfb.com
Chris (for all membership related questions)- membership@kendallgrundyfb.com
Kathy- assistant@kendallgrundyfb.com
Ann (Ag in the Classroom)- aitc@grundycfb.com

Below we have several events that have been postponed or cancel. Please read the information carefully. I will be working to keep our website and Facebook page up to date with the latest information.

Finally, I would like to encourage our members to share with me how this situation is impacting your farm or business. Farm Bureau strives to be a voice for agriculture and if there is any way we can be of assistance, I want to know.

Thank you,

Victoria Wax, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau Manager
News and Info
Scholarships
Scholarship applications are now available for both the Kendall and Grundy County Foundation. Both applications are due on March 31st to the Farm Bureau Office. Applications, instructions, and more information can be found on our website.

We encourage all students to submit their applications via email but are also working to install a drop box at the office.

Please reach out to Victoria if you have any difficulty completing any portion of the application. You can reach her via email at manager@kendallgrundyfb.com or call her cell phone at 217-714-4724.

Draw Down Rescheduled
This year's Draw Down has officially been rescheduled for July 11th. All ticket holders will be receiving a letter with more information. If you have any questions please contact our office or visit our website. Thank you to all those who have purchased tickets and donated thus far to the event. We hope to see you all this summer!
It is with great sadness we announce that the 2020 Ag Jeopardy Tournament has been canceled. We hope you can all join us in 2021 for the 30th Annual Ag Jeopardy Tournament!
We may be out of the classrooms but the learning continues! Follow along with Ann and her 2nd grade daughter as their spring chicks grow on Instagram.


Other elearning opportunities are being made available through Illinois Ag in the Classroom at beyondthebarndoor.wordpress.com/
Other Area Ag News
Important Updates on Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing

Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing Clinics jointly administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension are cancelled for the remainder of the clinic season. These cancellations include the Peoria, Champaign, Moline, Matteson, Collinsville, Springfield, Alsip, Carterville, Skokie, Des Plaines, and St. Charles locations and the test-only locations in DeKalb and Springfield. The University of Illinois Extension has initiated the process of contacting each individual registered for clinics.  The Illinois Department of Agriculture will extend licenses that expired December 31, 2019. These licenses will now be valid through December 31, 2020. Training and testing opportunities will be available for individuals not currently licensed as applicators.  Please visit the   Illinois Department of Agriculture homepage for the most up to date information and FAQs. IFB will be communicating about this via our communication channels to make sure all are aware as we have already had several questions on this topic.
Grundy County FSA
At this time the Grundy County FSA office is open but accepting visitors by appointment only. Please call ahead if planning to conduct business face to face.

Kendall County Corn Growers
The next meeting of the Kendall County Corn Growers was scheduled to be held on March 19th at the Farm Bureau office. At the last meeting it was voted that the organization will meet on the third Thursday of the month with the date of the next meeting TBA.
Statement from IFB President Richard Guebert Jr.
These are unprecedented times in our world. Efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus has disrupted our way of life. Downturns in the commodity and financial markets have dealt major blows to the balance sheets of our farmers and members.
I just arrived home from the American Farm Bureau Federation Board meeting in Washington, D.C. We spent hours discussing the best ways to support farmers during this crisis. Many of us have animals to care for and bills to pay.
Farm Bureau will be actively communicating to state and federal officials to the need for:
• farmers to have access to capital,
• packing plants, milk processing facilities and our nation’s ports to be considered essential services and remain open, and
• the handling and supply system farmers rely on to continue to operate.
IFB’s Leaders to Washington this week reiterated with key elected officials the stress in the farm community and how vital trade and markets are to our farmers and rural communities.
Your struggles are real. Our staff is working diligently to communicate the impacts. Please don’t be afraid to reach out for help. The IFB website at  www.ilfb.org  provides a resources tab for mental health.
Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau | kendallgrundyfb.com