By Gay Bowlin, Manager
We will be taking a bus to the Louisville Farm Show on February 11 – if you are a farm bureau member and would like to go please call the office – there are only a few seats left. We will leave at 6 a.m. and return approximately 7:30 p.m.
I am currently working on the 2015 Plat Book – the book should be out sometime late summer. If you would like to advertise in the book please call the office.
The following is a statement from Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) President Richard Guebert, Jr., regarding President Obama’s State of the Union address.
“Illinois Farm Bureau opposes President’s Obama’s plan to increase the capital gains tax. Good tax policy sets capital gains tax rates at a lower level to encourage business investments that grow the economy and create jobs.
“Unfortunately, the President’s proposal would dramatically increase the tax bill for any farmer who sells land, buildings or breeding livestock.
Our Adopted Legislator Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, is behind Senate Bill 61 to reduce the sales tax on diapers and baby wipes.
The Senate Democratic Staff news release explains:
Illinois currently has two sales tax rates; a general merchandise rate of 6.25 percent and a food and drug rate of 1 percent. Sandoval is pushing for diapers and wipes to be added to the 1 percent (rate now assessed on purchases of) groceries, medicine, and certain other medical products.
One of the biggest issues facing farmers today is their age – I don’t necessarily mean that they are getting old but they are getting “older” and this means that there is a need for younger farmers to take over.
We feed the world’s population today and it is only going to grow in the future. As agriculture professionals I feel that it is our responsibility to speak to the young people today. If we wait it may be too late and there won’t be anyone to take over. This does not mean that farming will go to the wayside just that there will be fewer farms to produce what the America and the world will need.
The way that Farm Bureau handles this is to involve 18 to 35 year olds in our Young Leaders Committee and high school age under 18 in our Junior Young Leaders Committee. Being a part of this committee will help the youth today by exposing them to young people who are already heavily involved in agriculture business and farming. For more information on joining either one of these committees please call the office.
There are many more discounts available to anyone who has been a member in good standing for at least 30 days. So don’t wait – call or come by and join now. The savings are amazing and it is a great organization.
The Franklin County Farm Bureau has many businesses giving discounts and/or support to our members. Here are just a few:
Mr. D’s Drive-In – 219 N Main St, Benton, IL (618) 439-9647
Free medium Pepsi with purchase of steak sandwich
Door Doctor of Southern Illinois Inc – 1208 W Webster St, Benton, IL (618) 439-3667
Farm Bureau Members – “The doctor will see you now!”
Jamerson Auto Sales – 1512 N Main St, Benton, IL (618) 439-9668
Voted best pre-owned auto dealer in Franklin County – Family owned & operated
Rend Lake Marina – Rend City Road, SW end of the lake by the dam, Benton, IL (618) 724-7651
10% off week day boat rental (not including holidays) rendlakemarina@rendlakemarina.com
For more information on joining the Franklin County Farm Bureau please call our office at 435-3616.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.