Ag Day Breakfast 2007      

Scholarships, the value of agriculture and humor

[March 21, 2007]  What breakfast event could draw hundreds out to eat at the early hour of 7 a.m., other than one that is serving farmers? Once again, the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Ag Day Breakfast has come to pass as a big success. Farmers, community leaders and business representatives who relate to the agricultural industry filled tables Wednesday morning in the Laughlin Center at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.

One of the big features of the program each year is the announcement of ag scholarships. Local sponsors have contributed $34,000 to scholarships since the program began in the late '90s. Every year it has increased. This year eight recipients were awarded $9,000. A new top award was announced in the memory of J. Michael Abbott, and that award went to LCHS student Elizabeth Brooks. (See "Ag scholarship recipients recognized at breakfast.")

John Hartman of Farm Credit Services and John Fulton, Logan County Extension director, made a brief presentation of statistics showing Logan County's agricultural economic impact. Agriculture has an enormous ripple effect through the community and the state of Illinois. Numerous businesses supply products and services for the ag community, ranging from chemicals and equipment to financing. Take a moment and see just how deeply agriculture is a part of our community. (See "Agricultural economic impact.")

The morning closed with the laid-back agricultural humor of guest speaker Dick Burns.

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