Richard Guebert Jr.
Harvest done, but farmers still busy
By Richard Guebert Jr.
As snow blankets our frozen fields, winter is a time of reflection for farmers. What worked well, what could we do better and what challenges will the upcoming spring bring? Those are questions we ask ourselves as we ring in the new year and begin planning for the next planting season.
At Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), winter is a time for farmers across the state to come together to see old friends, make connections and learn new strategies to build and strengthen our food systems.
American consumers today are increasingly concerned with what to put on their family’s table. They want to know where their food is grown and who’s producing it. Whether it’s choosing organic or locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats or other food products, consumers want to feel connected to their food producers and confident in their choices.
It’s a unique opportunity for farmers – big and small – to tell our story.
That’s why IFB collaborated with the Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) and the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) to create the largest, most inclusive local food event in Illinois. From food to flowers, the Everything Local Conference connected local growers, farmers, farmers market associates and business owners to build alliances and partnerships.
Illinois’ agriculture production goes far beyond corn and soybeans. Farmers across the state produce a wide range of specialty crops, a diverse variety of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and floriculture. Illinois ranks first in the nation for pumpkin and horseradish production, and among the top 10 in asparagus, cauliflower, fresh-cut herbs, green beans, lima beans, mustard greens and snap peas.
Illinois also ranks third in the nation for the number of farmers markets, where consumers can purchase farm-fresh, affordable, convenient and healthy products.
The Everything Local Conference brought together such producers to learn new ways to strengthen and build the local food supply chain. It was also a time for celebration for all the hard work our farmers put in day in and day out.
The ISGA honored Amelia and Michael Howard, of Cook County, and Tom Schwartz, of Randolph County, with the 2022 ISGA Award of Excellence.
The Howards – long recognized as “urban farmers” before “urban farming” was popularized – have led the way for growers in their community. Their work has ushered in more than 25 years of agricultural education and created a safe haven for children in the Fuller Park community of Chicago through farming experiences that connect them with nature, agriculture and the world around them.
Schwartz is another strong leader among specialty crop producers. His extensive knowledge of horticulture and marketing has amplified the industry while teaching how horticulture can serve communities. ISGA was honored to recognize Schwartz for being a bright light for many specialty crop families, as well as a major supporter within the industry.
Many other specialty crop producers were recognized throughout the conference. Two fan favorite competitions also returned: the Illinois State horticulture Society’s 33rd Illinois and National Sweet Cider Contests and the 20th National Hard Cider Contest.
This year, Joe Ringhausen of Joe Ringhausen Orchards in Fieldon took home the gold as the No.1 overall rated cider. His cider blends Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Fuji apples for a winning combination. Wiles Family Orchard of Fairchild placed first in the Hard Cider contest as repeat champions. Their hard cider blends Gold Rush, Golden Delicious and Fuji apples.
Who doesn’t love a cup of cold, refreshing cider after a hard day’s work? Illinois is lucky to have such wonderful orchards.
Building and strengthening the local food supply chain wasn’t the only goal this winter. In late January, about 500 young and beginning farmers attended IFB’s annual Young Leader Conference to tackle challenges facing the next generation of farmers.
IFB’s Young Leader Chair, Sadie Asher, of Henry County, outlined her priorities for the coming year. With more IFB members over the age of 90 than under 35, Asher called on her fellow young leaders to strengthen the organization’s membership and recruit younger voices.
Our young farmers’ talent was also displayed during the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Evan Hultine, a Bureau County farmer, received third place in the AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award competition. Kaylee Heap, of Kendall County, ranked fourth in the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture competition; and Ryan Reeverts of Ogle County was honored to represent Illinois in the AFBF Young Leader Discussion Meet.
Winter is a period of downtime. That is a true statement for many farmers, but we’re not staying idle. Illinois farmers continue to develop new best practices for their businesses and celebrate those who are making our industry stronger, better and more efficient for future generations.
Richard Guebert Jr. is president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. This op-ed was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.
Local News
Area wrestlers advance to sectionals
Spread the loveFrom Staff Reports The following wrestlers have qualified for sectional competition after placing in the top three at their respective regional tournaments. (Name, class, finish at regional) Class 3A Marist Regional Marist George Marinopoulos, Fr, 2nd at 106 Michael Esteban, Fr, 1st at 113 Will Denny, Fr, 2nd at 120 Jesse Herrera,…
Mayor ‘out of control,’ hero says
Spread the lovePolice ranks ‘thousands’ short, dispatcher tells Scottsdale By Tim Hadac It’s not every day that a City worker has the courage to attend a public meeting and call a mayor “out of control.” But Keith A. Thornton Jr. did exactly that earlier this week on the Southwest Side. A 911 dispatcher hailed as…
Rockie is the new kid on the block
Spread the love While some folks see heavy snowfall and curse the skies, children across the Southwest Side seemed thrilled with last week’s winter windfall. Schools cancelled classes, and kids like 9-year-old Rosie Arroyo showed her creativity by working with her father, Raul, to build a snowman in front of their home near 49th and…
Kaegi, legislators, advocates unveil affordable housing initiative
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi was joined by state legislators and affordable housing advocates earlier this week to launch the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program, a new form of property tax relief recently signed into law. Kaegi worked with legislative partners who passed the law last spring, including State Sens.…
Lopez nixes dibs
Spread the love While calling dibs on parking spaces in the winter is an informal tradition in the city, 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez recently reminded his constituents in Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Gage Park and West Englewood that no one may call dibs indefinitely. He instructed his Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent…
St. Dan’s Summerfest to return
Spread the lovePopular event was gone for several years By Tim Hadac Details are just starting to emerge, but it looks like St. Daniel the Prophet Parish’s Summerfest will return in 2022, after an absence of several years. The family-focused event is set for Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 19 on parish grounds at…
Skating is winter’s silver lining
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. As I write this, snowmageddon is raging outside. I’m not sure how many inches we have as of yet, or how many we will end up with; but I hope by the time you read this, we are…
Property tax bills due soon, Pappas says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recently mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2021 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 1, 2022. The First Installment is 55% of the previous year’s total tax. Exemptions that can reduce a property owner’s taxes are applied to the Second Installment bill.…
Marchers welcome in St. Patrick’s Day parade
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Southwest Side organizations are welcome to march in the community’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, set for Saturday, March 12. It is anticipated that local schools, churches, Scout troops, youth athletic associations and others will have units in the parade. Units will have to register in advance with parade organizers.…
Neighbors
Boys Volleyball | Sandburg seeks 26th regional title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Coming off the worst season in program history in 2023, Sandburg was not going to settle for anything less than better results this year. Past the midway point of this season, however, the Eagles had a record of 11-8. But they closed the regular season strong, winning 11 of…
Baseball | Red-hot Reavis looks to make noise in postseason
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Reavis is determined to send their head coach Don Erickson into retirement on a high note and will head into the postseason red hot and as South Suburban Red champions. The Rams defeated Oak Lawn 3-0 for the second straight day on May 15 to clinch the conference title.…
Sports Bits | Rice boats at Carlyle Lake, Hawkeye DB and Do It Stevie’s Way
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Noteworthy sports briefs from May 12-19 • Brother Rice’s No. 1 boat of Joe Hall and Joe Judeh took 31st in the state bass fishing tournament, which wrapped up on May 18 at Carlyle Lake. The Crusaders had a two-day haul of 7 pounds, 12 ounces. The Crusaders’ No.…
Nothing NU at SeatGeek
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent There was speculation that because of the renovations being done at Ryan Field, Northwestern would schedule a few football games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this fall. The Wildcats announced their schedule and no home games are listed at SeatGeek, but the situation is still fluid. They are opting…
College Softball | Close losses at nationals end Saint Xavier’s season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier softball team played three nailbiters in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament. But the end result was a 1-2 record to eliminate the Cougars from advancing. SXU (28-14) opened the tournament by nipping Bellevue (Nebraska), 5-4, in Sioux City, Iowa on May 13. Alexus Reese…
Red Stars’ Naeher misses loss to Gotham
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The world’s best kept secret is still a mystery. The Chicago Red Stars are not releasing information to the public about the severity of a thigh injury or the status of world-class goalie Alyssa Naeher. What is known is that she did not play in a 2-1 loss to…
Summer calendar filling up quickly
Spread the love. By Patti Tyznik Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com . Summer is rapidly approaching, and the neighborhood is geared up for lots of great summer fun and activities. The Midway Chamber of Commerce’s farmer’s market will be opening on Wednesdays at the end of May through September…
Shepard’s Kyla Motley cruises to two medals at girls state track finals
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Shepard junior Kyla Motley medaled in two events in the Class 3A girls state track and field meet, the finals for which were held May 18 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Motley finished fourth in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 4 inches. She finished…
Boys Tennis | Lyons’ Jack McLane and Mason Mazzone win sectional doubles title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The area produced a handful of boys tennis state qualifiers, but only one entry is headed to state as a sectional champion. At the Class 2A Lyons Sectional, the Lions’ Jack McLane and Mason Mazzone were doubles champs. The state meet opens May 23 at various sites in the…
Water Polo | Lyons boys win third state title; girls finish 3rd
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The best matchup of the IHSA boys water polo state tournament was arguably in the quarterfinals. That battle between Lyons and New Trier could have been considered the real state championship match. But no matter what, the Lions are state champions. Heading into the postseason, Lyons had just three…