Young Farmers Committee Meets
The Will County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee was called to order by RJ Nugent at 7 pm on February 27th with the following members present: Kandice Kestel, Austin Brown, RJ Nugent, Kevin Ardaugh, Michael Bernhard, Courtney Sowa and Mark Schneidewind, Farm Bureau manager. RJ thanked Austin for hosting the meeting.
The first item was to discuss the pedal pull circuit for the year.
- Family Fun Night on July 11th at JJC Wietendorf Ag Education Facility with registration at 6 and the pull at 6:30 pm.
- Will County Thresherman’s Show on July 20th at Spiess Farms in Wilton Center with registration at 1 pm and the pull at 2 pm.
- Symerton Home Coming on August 18th next to Symerton Tap with registration at 2 pm and the pull 3 pm.
- Will County Fair on August 24th on the sidewalk near the horse barn with registration at noon and the pull 1 pm.
- Chasing Cans for Cancer on August 31st at the Berger horse farm where the event takes place in Beecher with registration 11 am and the pull at noon.
- Christmas in the Village in Peotone on December 14th with time to be determined yet and the location inside Dralle Chevrolet & Buick.
- They still have the pull won at last year’s golf outing that has not yet been scheduled.
Focus on Youth article is out and applications are due in early June. We are currently sending the information out to all the FFA and 4H clubs. The Christmas party is set and the retirement party for RJ and Kevin is set for September 14th but are looking to secure a location in next 2-3 months. PrimeTimers picnic is on August 7th and the will Young Farmers will cook and serve the meal.
The Annual Golf Outing is set for Friday, July 26th. They will have a wedding tent for the meal with air conditioned and they guaranteed it being cool. Times moved up for event by 30 minutes with registration 9:30 am and shot gun start 10:30 am and the dinner around 4 pm. Blue course games approved with the Ogalla Game, Dakota’s Game, Ag Wheel Game, Cannon Game, longest drive and closest to the pin. Hole sponsor $125, Food $300, Beverage $500, Platinum Sponsor is $1,000 and includes hole sponsor and a foursome. Raffles and auction items discussed have two 1/2 hogs, 1/2 beef, CZ shot gun and we are working on more. They will place this on social media to hold the date.
RJ reported on the annual meeting and all went well. Ag Olympics was reviewed and the games selected. There was some concern on the number of clubs as they want at least 5 clubs to make it a go as they need this for brackets. The event is scheduled for July 13th. The Peotone FFA Auction went well and the pedal pull event we donated went for $1,250.00 to Dralle Chevrolet & Buick. The FFA acquaintance program is set for Friday, April 5th, and they are doing by request of school boards the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Currently 2 schools are participating with over 50 students.
RJ mentioned that the crew decided to give the harvest dinner a year off so it will be back in 2025. The “On the Road” truck regulation meeting is Wednesday night and several committee members have signed up. Ag Expo is set for March 11-14 and they have a few spots yet to fill in for speaking. RJ will let us know where he can work as will Kevin. The last pesticide applicators testing is set for March 28th at the office so sign up. Tractors for a Cure Cash Bash is sold out and will be held March 9th at atrium. The 4H fundraiser is cancelled for this year with lack of help Kandice reported. The Nutrient Management program will be March 27th at the Peotone Fairgrounds Atrium from 10 am to noon with lunch to follow.
Michael Bernhard reported on the state committee and the state conference had around 450 attending, He will send out the basketball bracket and will see if we can place it on Facebook. The achievement award deadline is approaching. The meeting was then adjourned at 8:05 pm with the next meeting set for June 24th at 7 pm with RJ providing refreshments.