Women for Family Farms Meets
The Women for Family Farms Committee met at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10th. It was led by Sam Tewes, with the following members present: Karen Warrick, Dana Brandau, Katie Sharkey, Amy Brandau, Ashley Davis, Jeanne Tewes, Annie and Amelia Soucie, Nicole Issert, Anita Schneidewind and Mark Schneidewind, Farm Bureau manager.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as printed. Sam reported on the Christmas party; everyone had a good time this year. They will see about going back to the same location. Wreaths Across America went well on December 16th, exceeding 36,000 wreaths donated with 88 volunteers.
We also had assistance on the day of the event, and this year’s event is December 14th. The current match for wreaths will end on January 16th. So, the Wreaths Across America wreath farm used for the bidding of the program matches every wreath purchased from Christmas to January 16th of this year.
The fall luncheon was discussed next, and they worked on three different theme ideas for 2024. They will see what they can develop around these for decorations and entertainment for the event. They will book the Victorian Ballroom again for November of 2024 and will do another collection for the women’s shelters.
The program on pinching, pruning, shaping, and dealing with insects and wildlife is set for Sunday, April 7th, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., with Nancy Kuhajda as the guest speaker. They will work on more details at the next meeting.
The group will assist with the annual meeting set up on January 26th and the meeting on January 27th. They worked on a raffle schedule for selling tickets. There will be three raffles: the wheelbarrow of booze, including a wheelbarrow, Play Station 5 bundle, and a patriotic Afghan, which is very large and nicely made by Loretta Sartore.
There will be three live items: one being a patriotic hanging and/or traveling bar with five premium bottles of hard liquor; a case IH white pedal tractor commemorating their 100th Anniversary; and a year membership to the Children’s Museum in Chicago, including 12 visits, 12 parking passes, discounts and can have three different names on membership.
The committee will spend about 2 hours after the meeting making decorations for the annual meeting on January 27th. They will assist with the golf outing again in 2024 back at Green Garden Country Club, and it is their 11th Anniversary. Harvest Dinner is not set for 2024, and the Tractors for a Cure Cash Bash is March 9th. Christmas Cuties and Christmas Animals, their new program went over well, and they will do it again in 2024.
The speakers postponed the emergency services meeting for ag-related items because of weather predictions as they had to fly into O’Hare. They will assist with the Ag Expo; Nicole will speak on wheat. They will attend the FFA Auction on February 25th and are working with Sunrise Greenhouse for spring flowers for the Wreaths program. The 4H Dinner is April 6th, and the group will have a basket for that.
The pesticide applicators testing is two days this year – February 9th and March 28th, and on both days, the program has two different sessions, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Participants need to register online, and we have the link if needed.
Sam reported on the paint program by “On A Whim,” and Cheri developed the flier. She has details on dimensions, and people can choose one of 3 designs to make for $30, including all materials, instructions, and refreshments.
The program is set for Sunday, April 14th, from 1:00-3:30 p.m., with several breaks in the auditorium.
We will limit the program to 25 people. It will fill up fast, as it is like a barn quilt process with wood. Another program idea was Boot Camp for Women, sponsored by AFBF, and five were interested in possibly signing up for the program in Washington, D.C. The first program is April 1-4, and the second program, which is the one they are considering, is in October, with a date to be finalized.
Over 284 women have gone through this program. Karen Warrick will work with a speaker for a CPR class. Sam asked Mark to discuss the ag safety day program, and they were to receive materials in the mail. The group is interested and will see if the person doing the program would be willing to come up and see how we can offer this to 4H clubs. The “On the Road” truck program is set for February 28th, with a meal at 5:30 p.m. and the program at 6 p.m. at the office.
The final item of business was the election of officers for the 2024 year, and the current three officers were stepping down. The new officers for 2024 are Ashley Davis, Chairwoman; Dana Brandau, Vice Chairwoman; and Anita Schneidewind, Secretary/Treasurer. The group thanked Sam, Anne, and Amy for four years serving as officers.
The next meeting is set for Thursday, March 7th, at 6:30 p.m.