Corn and Soybean Growers Meet
The Corn and Soybean Growers held their joint committee meeting at 7:10 pm on Thursday, January 11th 2024. It was led by Jeff Haas with the following members present: Jim Robbins, Dan Tewes, Al Beseke, Darren Deutsche, Gordon McCoy, George Beutel, Gary Fritz, Jeff Haas, Mike Newbrough and Mark Schneidewind, Farm Bureau manager.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as printed. The group discussed the harvest dinner and they felt that they needed to take a year off and that decision was made to wait another year as they had discussed it earlier in September after the event was held.
The committee will work on trying to get speakers for the February 19th annual dinner of the corn and soybean growers and plans are to start at 6 pm and eat at 7 pm. This will confirmed over the next 3 weeks. They will need to replace 2 members (Steve and Bob) and they discussed names and those names will be contacted over the next 2 weeks.
The group discussed the Ag Expo set for March 11-14. Set up will be March 11th and assignments were made but speaking parts will be done at the next meeting. We will see if we can use Mikes trailer to haul things to the venue and the farm equipment was discussed. Gary will see about the use of his combine as well as they have the tractor and drill coming and Jim said if not, they could bring theirs. Al has corn, wheat and soybean actual plants that we can use. Someone will get the bushel of corn and soybeans and we will need 2 bushels of wheat as we will make flour again. The committee reviewed the speaking parts. Displays will be ordered soon. Invites are out to schools and Dakota is handling all the reservations and buses.
The committee then went over the update on the corn and soybean associations at the state level. Gary and Jim reported on the corn growers draw down and to get your ticket if you have not already as the drawing in February. Also, they were able to lobby to gain ethanol markets back into Japan. George reported on the Soybean Assn.’s annual member dinner which is free for members and has 4 keynote speakers. It will be held Jan 31st in Champaign.
The On The Road Seminar with truck regulations meeting set for our office February 28th with a lite meal at 5:30 pm and program will start at 6 pm. Guest Speaker will be Rodney Knittle. The Will County Farm Bureau annual meeting is set for Jan 27th. The silent auction is online and post cards will be mailed Jan 12th and should be in mail boxes by Feb 18th. The silent auction goes live on Feb 19th. There was discussion by the group on removal of dirt by the state on land around the area and we will investigate that. The summer elected official tour will be worked on over the next two months and we will plan for and shoot for an August program.
The pesticide applicators testing will be on two days this year at Will County with two different sessions: a 9 am to noon session and then a 1-4 pm session for testing. It is only for testing, no pre-study/review time. The dates are Feb 9th and March 28th and call the Farm Bureau office for the links as we will send links to those who need them. The FFA auction is scheduled for Feb 25th at the atrium and you need to see Dakota or Abby for tickets, The Foundation scholarships are on the Will County Farm Bureau website and deadline to apply is March 3rd. The Cash Bash for Tractors for a Cure is on March 9th at the Will County Fair Grounds atrium and see Debbie Werner for tickets. The 4H Dinner is Saturday, April 6th at Lincoln Way West off Gougar Road in New Lenox. Watch for more details on that event in March 2024.
The next committee meeting was set for March 6th at 7 pm.