July 13, 2011

Contact: Heather Combs

IAA Foundation Development Specialist

309.557.2230

hcombs@ilfb.org



Cyclists will Ride where Abe Walked to support Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom



Bloomington – Cyclists will travel through a six county area during the 16th Annual Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) Bike Ride. This cross-country style ride September 6-8, 2011 is an annual fundraising event hosted by the IAA Foundation to support the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program.



Each year the IAITC Bike Ride heads to a new location in the state of Illinois and hosts upwards of 100 cyclists. This year the ride highlights routes through Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery & Sangamon counties, with lodging and evening activities in the Springfield area. Cyclists stop at approximately 30 schools along the ride to provide students with an interactive lesson on the importance of agriculture and also includes a portion on bicycle safety.



“The bike ride is a lot of fun and provides an opportunity to meet a lot of great people, and raise funds for a great cause” said Charlie Grotevant, bike ride chairman. All routes follow paved roads and will begin and end in Springfield each day. Riders can participate for 1, 2 or 3 days and have the option to ride short (40 miles), medium (65 miles), or long (100 miles) routes.



Make plans to join the ride

The IAA Foundation is now taking registrations to participate in this year's event. Riders who register by August 22 can save $20 on registration fees and pay only $75. After August 22, the registration fees will increase to $95.



Individuals who raise funds for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom will receive special benefits as a rider. Those who collect between $250 and $499 in donations receive free registration, raising between $500 and $999 earns free registration and meals, and raising $1,000 or more earns free registration, meals and lodging. More details on registration and how to raise funds to support your ride are available online at www.iaafoundation.org or by calling 309.557.2230.



“The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program is dedicated to teaching the benefits of modern agriculture to students” noted Susan Moore, IAA Foundation Director. “The IAITC program has a very positive impact, but we can do more. Participation in events like the IAITC Bike Ride helps raise more funds to allow the positive message of the importance of agriculture and the impact it has on our daily lives to be shared with even more consumers.”



Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is the top funding priority of the IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau®’s charitable foundation, which funds educational, research, and charitable activities that benefit Illinois farm families and agriculture.

At the request of several members of Congress, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the comment period on Docket ID: FMCSA 2011-0146 by 30 days until August 1, 2011.

WRITTEN COMMENTS
County Farm Bureaus and individual farmers are encouraged to submit formal comments to the FMCSA. Comments from those farmers who have undergone a New Entrant Audit and were found to be out of compliance could be especially convincing, since they can readily identify real world impacts. Comments must be received by the FMCSA on or before June 30.

Ford Motor Company is pleased to provide members this exclusive offer through the Farm Bureau Rewards Program. This offer provides Farm Bureau members the opportunity to receive a $500 Bonus Cash Offer good toward the purchase or lease of any eligible new 2010/2011/2012-Model Ford or Lincoln Car, Truck & SUV (Excl. Mustang Shelby GT, Shelby GT 500, Edge SE AWD, F-150 Raptor and Taurus SE).
A person needs to be a member in good standing for 60 days prior to purchase. Our Ford program is valid from January 4, 2011 through January 3, 2012.

In order for you to receive the discount, you will need to go to the following website: https://www.fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/il/

Once there, you will need to do the following:
1) To apply for this offer, please supply the information below (Member ID and zip code). You will need to type in the membership number that is printed on your Farm Bureau Membership Card. 2) Upon approval, a certificate number will be issued for you to present to your local Ford or Lincoln Dealer to redeem the incentive.

3) Additionally, you will receive an email confirmation of your approval that contains the certificate number as well.

4) You will print your confirmation email and take it to their local Ford or Lincoln Dealer for redemption. You will be required to present your valid Membership Card as proof of membership.

5) This program offers a $500 Bonus Cash Direct Offer to the eligible recipient who purchases or leases an eligible new 2010/2011/2012-Model vehicle during the program period.

6) There is a limit of five (5) new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per Farm Bureau member during the program period.
7) If you hsve already purchased an eligible vehicle between January 4, 2011 and now, they MAY be eligible for the discount. You would need to do the very same procedure listed above and take their email to their Dealer. The Dealer will then start the paper process to get the member a $500 rebate check. It can take up to 3 weeks for the member to receive the check.

If you have any problems, please call the Customer Service number: 1-888-322-5862

An amendment before the House Revenue Committee would end all sales tax exemptions, including those on agricultural inputs, by Dec. 31, 2012.

February 28, 2011





Illinois Farm Bureau is addressing several environmental-related issues among its state legislative priorities in the spring session.



Under SB 1841, sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency would keep confidential the name of an individual being investigated for a potential environmental violation until the investigation is finished and enforcement proceedings have started.



IFB Director Chuck Cawley, chairman of the IFB Illinois Government Committee, explained IFB wants an investigation to be completed before possible causes and sources are identified to prevent an individual from being accused falsely.



It goes against the grain of being innocent until proven guilty, Cawley said. It would be unfair to all parties involved.



On an another environmental front, IFB wants to reconnect mineral rights that have not been used in 20 years with the surface land owner. That is the purpose of SB 1876, sponsored by Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet).



The legislation addresses the issue of mineral rights that were sold many years earlier but have remained dormant. The idea is to have dormant rights revert to the surface owner.

IFB would consider any action, such as development or even filing of a notice of continued ownership, by the mineral rights owner to mean the rights are being used and those rights would not revert to the surface owner.



Safety concerns are at the heart of two bills related to the use of slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) emblems. Both HB 1438, sponsored by Rep. Chad Hays (R-Danville), and SB 1907, sponsored by Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), propose to increase fines to $75 for improper use of SMV emblems.



Currently, the fine for misuse of an SMV emblem is $25. By increasing the fine, IFB hopes people would be discouraged from using SMV emblems to mark their driveways or other improper uses, according to Cawley.



A driver could mistake that (improper use) for a vehicle with dangerous results, Cawley said. Its simply a matter of safety.



IFB supports SB 2012, sponsored by Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), which would change how the Illinois Council on Food and Agriculture (C-FAR) is funded.



Cawley, who serves as C-FAR chairman, explained the bill proposes to make C-FAR research grants competitive instead of awarding designated percentages of funding to the four state universities with agriculture programs.



The legislation also would allow C-FAR to accept contributions instead of the existing requirement that it must rely solely on state funds, Cawley added.



The changes are key components of the reinvention of C-FAR and were proposed by a C-FAR task force, Cawley said. - Kay Shipman





For More Info Contact:

John Hawkins, News Service Director

Phone 309 557-2237 Fax (800) 640-1995 E-mail jhawkins@ilfb.org

Copyright © 2011 Illinois Agricultural Association ®

IFB Governmental Affairs Leadership December 13, 2010

Conference set for Feb. 23-24, 2011 For Immediate Release



“Different reasons. Same Road. -- Farming and Politics and Alliances, Oh My” is the theme for the 2011 Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference (GALC) scheduled for February 23-24 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. With two days of general sessions and workshops, you will travel the road to where you want to be by exploring new partnerships that can help bring new wisdom, heart, and courage to the issues that impact your farm and family.



GALC workshop sessions will focus on a number of issues including rural development, transportation, environment, and legislative issue updates, just to name a few.



Again this year, you’ll see firsthand what happens when hundreds of farmers, just like you, partner together on issues during the Statewide Legislative Reception on Wednesday evening.



You’ll have the opportunity to visit exhibits relating to public policy issues, organizational issues and programs, and IFB tools available to you as a Farm Bureau member.



The cost of the conference is $50 for Wednesday only, $30 for Thursday only, or $70 for both days (a savings of $10).



To register for the conference or to obtain additional information, contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.ilfb.org.