Issue 1 February 2020

Recharge & Reset with Farm Credit College Workshops Register to Attend a FreshRoots Forum Feb. 11 or 12 and Estate Planning Workshop Feb. 19

Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University FreshRoots Forum FEB 11 and FEB 12 Dr. Ron Hanson, professor emeritus at University of Nebraska FreshRoots Forum FEB 11 and FEB 12 Brooke Didier Starks, attorney with Meyer Capel law firm Estate Planning Workshop FEB 19

FreshRoots Forum Registration Estate Planning Registration

Attention Youth: Scholarships & Grants Available Apply Online by February 28

Scholarships - Apply Community Improvement Grants - Apply

Weather Outlook Update Active Jet Stream Provides Clues What can you expect for the rest of winter? Will we see a repeat of the 2019 wet spring, or will rainfall return to average levels?

Watch Current Projections

Directors Cup Recognizes Beginning Farmers $5,000 Awards Available

The FreshRoots Directors Cup presented by the FCI board celebrates young and beginning farmers committed to continuous learning and intentional living for a brighter future for their farm family business and community. Recipients receive a $5,000 cash award and plaque. Up to six recipients will be selected in 2020. Apply by April 1

ARC Versus PLC - What's Right For You? New Decisions Required Following 2018 Farm Bill

Unsure if ARC or PLC works best for your farm business following the 2018 Farm Bill program changes? Weigh the differences and contact your Farm Credit Illinois crop insurance agent to discuss your options. The deadline to elect 2019 and 2020 coverage is March 15.

Decide Between ARC & PLC

Price Check Land Sales Since August 2019

The listing includes results for 109 different farmland auctions reported since the last results were published in August 2019. These public auctions concluded with successful bids and represented 9,313 total acres in 29 different counties selling for a grand total of $80.01 million with an average price of $8,591 per acre. The highest price per acre was $18,555 for Class C land in Clinton County; the lowest price per acre was $2,474 for Class C land in Richland County.

Recent Auction Prices

On The Block Upcoming Farmland Auctions

Farm Credit Illinois maintains a list of upcoming farmland auctions submitted within the Association’s 60-county marketplace.

View Listings or Submit an Upcoming Farmland Auction

Raffles & Reactions Enter to Win One of 10 Collapsible Shovels- Drawing held Feb. 28

This heavy-duty utility shovel is durable and light – weighing less than 1.5 pounds. It collapses too, making it perfect to store in your vehicle .

Enter to win

Congratulations to the winners of the RTIC rambler following Issue 6 of 2019: Bruce Kleinschmidt of Morgan County Clyde Winter of Effingham Curtis Boester of Williamson County Jeff Miller of Macoupin County Michele Hubert of Randolph County Russ Mersinger of Madison County Shane Gordan of Will County Todd Decker of Lawrence County In Issue 6 of 2019, readers were asked what date they completed harvest. Here are the results from 112 answers:

Ag Economy Barometer Producer Sentiment Soars to 167

The Ag Economy Barometer measures the health of the U.S. agriculture economy with an index value based on a survey of agricultural producers on economic sentiment. A score of 100 means producer sentiment is unchanged from the six-month baseline research period; a score higher than 100 means sentiment improved from the base period; a score lower than 100 means sentiment declined versus the base period.

Learn More About the Barometer's Latest Reading