We have some exciting news! Illinois Farm Bureau and Dodge are partnering for a SPECIAL 3 ½ week promotion for our members.  Beginning Monday, March 8, 2010, Illinois Farm Bureau members will be able to show their membership card at Dodge Dealerships and receive a $500 discount on their purchase. They must be a member for 30 days prior to purchase.  The special program is only available March 8 through March 31, 2010. 

This week is National Ag Week. There are many exciting things going on. Do you know of someone expecting a baby in March say between the 14th and 20th? If so, let the Carroll County Farm Bureau know when the baby is born.

The Women’s Committee has put together a basket of Ag items for the first baby in the county born during National Ag Week. The basket includes items made from agriculture and those that promote it. There is a milk can bank, an ag book, a soy candle, meat locker gift certificate and more. Please notify our office at 815-244-3001 or via email at carrollcfb@grics.net by Friday, March 26 of any babies you know born between March 14-20 to be eligible.

We are also calling all kids! The Carroll County Farm Bureau is sponsoring two coloring contests for National Ag Week which runs March 14-20. Children may stop by Brother’s Inn Restaurant in Lanark and color the designated coloring contest sheets along with pick up Ag coloring books and soy crayons. After coloring their sheet, children need to drop them in the box to win one of two free kid’s meals courtesy of Brother’s. There are two age groups, 3-5 and 6-11.

We are also sponsoring a coloring contest here at our office. Coloring contest forms can be printed off of our website at www.carrollcfb.org or picked up at our office. We will be also offering prizes to the top winner in each age category. The contests will take place beginning March 12 through March 22.

The Quality of Life Action Team is sponsoring an Identity Theft informational meeting on Wednesday, April 14 at 10 a.m. in the Naaman Diehl Auditorium. Identity theft can happen to anyone and with the economy it seems it is happening more and more. Come learn what you can do to protect yourself and what to do if you are found to be a victim. There is no cost to attend, however we would appreciate an RSVP by Friday, April 9th to ensure we have plenty of handouts.

The Foundation scholarship deadline is only a mere week away. So far I have one application in my hands. I can’t imagine that is all we are going to get. If you know of any students who may benefit from a General Ag scholarship, the Harold Schmidt Memorial Forestry Scholarship, or the Viola Rath Memorial Scholarship (do not need to be a Farm Bureau member and can be an agriculture, agri-business, or consumer science major) contact our office or print off the application at www.carrollcfb.org. They are due to our office by 4:30 on Wednesday, March 24.