|
Young and beginning farmers in
Illinois will have a unique opportunity to learn from
farmers with a lifetime of experience in a new program –
Cultivating Master Farmers -- designed to link young
farmers and Prairie Farmer Master Farmers.
The program is being launched this year by Illinois Farm
Bureau, 1st Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of
Illinois, Farm Progress Companies, GROWMARK, Inc., and
Monsanto, offers benefits for those just starting their
farming career and those who are seasoned in the industry.
For Master Farmers, the program offers a chance to be an
active role model while helping young farmers benefit from
experience. The program will give young farmers an
opportunity to network with some of the best, most respected
farmers and ag leaders in Illinois. Young farmers will also
learn the secrets of success of Illinois’ leading farm
operations, as well as learn how the “masters” incorporate
ideas, expand their operations and balance business, family
life and community involvement.
Cultivating Master Farmers will bring together two
generations of farmers – 10 young farmers and 10 of
Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmers -- for six scheduled
events over two years. Participants in the 2005-2007 class
will be will be chosen by a selection committee in May and
notified by June 1, 2005. The group will meet for the first
time for a roundtable discussion in conjunction with the
Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference August 3. Other
sessions are planned for late August during the Farm
Progress Show, Decatur, and at the IFB Young Leader
Conference in February 2006. A farm tour is also part of the
scheduled agenda, along with a graduation ceremony at the
2007 Master Farmer Program.
Young farmer application forms for the 2005-2007 Cultivating
Mater Farmers program are available by clicking on
Cultivating Master Farmers at
www.ilfb.org,
www.prairiefarmer.com,
www.growmark.com,
www.monsanto.com, or
www.usfarmcredit.com.
Young farmers must be Illinois residents between the ages of
21 and 35. Applications are due by April 15 to Young
People’s Activities Department, Illinois Farm Bureau, 1701
N. Towanda Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701.
Master Farmers interested in participating should complete a
one-page application, available at the March 16 Master
Farmer program at the Northfield Center, Springfield.
Applications may also be obtained by calling Prairie
Farmer at 217-877-9070, e-mailing
scrabill@farmprogress.com, or by writing Prairie
Farmer at 1301 E. Mound Rd., Decatur, IL 62526.
|
