Farm Bureau News from Franklin County

The weather has been nice enough that there have been sprayers and a few combines in the fields around the county. This does not mean that the cold weather is over, though. I am not exactly sure how many farmers have actually gotten seeds in the ground, but I feel it might be a little early for this. The normal planting season does not begin for a while, but with that said, those who have already planted I wish you nothing but luck. Start seeing farmers, and be extra careful on the roadways.
Tuesday was National Ag Day, and we celebrated by visiting kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Zeigler-Royalton Elementary School. This was our fifth-annual Farmer to Table event. A huge thank you to all who were involved.
Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders are again selling smoked pork loin. These pork loins will be ready for pick-up April 12 and 13. Mike Thomas is providing his talents once again to offer the best smoked pork loin available. A half-loin sells for $30, and a full loin for $45, just in time for Easter. Call the office at 435-3616 to get your order in before April 6. All proceeds go toward scholarships for Franklin County students from the Young Leaders Committee.
Scholarship applications are available from the Franklin County Farm Bureau Foundation and the Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders. These scholarships are available for high school graduates as well as students graduating from junior college and going into university. The applicant and/or parent must be a Franklin County Farm Bureau member. You can stop by the office to pick up an application, or we can email one to you. Call 435-3616 for more information.
Members of the Farm City Days Committee have been super busy bringing back a family-friendly promotion that served the area well in past years. Farm City Days features equipment and farm safety exhibits from the rural community that will be on display during the event. The Farm City Days festival will be held on and around the Benton Public Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 10, with proceeds benefiting the Ag in the Classroom Program. The festival and expo will kick off at 11 a.m. with a farm machinery parade on North Main Street from Immanuel Baptist Church to the Benton Public Square. There will be 18 activities during the day including a car and motorcycle show, a craft and flea market, a farmers market, a petting zoo, inflatibles and more. The event will be free to the public.
Residents are asked to pre-register for select activities. You can find these at FarmCityDaysIL.com. The craft and flea market booth fee is $30, and the food vendor fee is $40. There will be a limited number of food booths spots available, so get your registration in soon. If you would be interested in sponsoring an activity, call 435-3616, 927-0921 or 603-6002.
To obtain additional information, contact us at FarmCityDays2017@gmail.com, Fcfb028@frontier.com or online at farmcitydaysil.com.
Remember, we are farmers working together. If we can help, let us know.