[NOV. 20, 2000]  With so many bushels of corn and soybeans produced in Logan County, it probably becomes difficult for many of you to make the connection between local agricultural production and the delicious food on your table this holiday season. Unless you’re feasting on tofu, cornbread and pork sausage, that is. Although it may not be readily apparent to most, there is a diverse sampling of agricultural production within a 50-mile radius of Lincoln. Some of those products may be part of your Thanksgiving feast.

Turkeys are raised throughout the country, but it is quite possible that yours has come from a farm in Tremont. Sweet corn, peas, green beans and potatoes are all produced under irrigation in the sand fields of Mason County. And if the filling in your pumpkin pie filling came out of a Libby’s can, then it’s highly likely that it originated in fields around Morton, Washington or Pekin.

The traditional Thanksgiving fixin’s not raised locally include sweet potatoes, which could have come from Louisiana, and the cranberries, that were likely produced in a bog in Massachusetts or Wisconsin.

In case you don’t have it marked on your calendar, Thanksgiving week is also National Farm-City Week, a time when the non-farm population can thank America’s farmers for the bounty of food on their tables. This year grocery shoppers can be extra thankful for lower prices at the checkout lane.

The American Farm Bureau released a study last week stating that the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10 people has decreased by $1.46 this year from $33.83 to $32.37. This information is based on a survey of 121 shoppers from 30 states using the best in-store price, excluding any coupons or other special offers.

According to Joe Miller, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the decrease in the overall price for the Thanksgiving dinner is determined by the lower prices of all items in this year’s dinner. For example, Farm Bureau’s average per pound price for a turkey last year was 86 cents. This year the average price fell to 78 cents per pound. Logan County residents can save even more money on their Thanksgiving turkey since one local merchant advertises a store brand at only 58 cents per pound.

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Other Thanksgiving fixings also dropped dramatically in price, according to the Farm Bureau survey. They include:

• A gallon of whole milk, $2.56, down 39 cents
• Sweet potatoes, $1.94 for a 3-pound bag, down 23 cents
• A 14-ounce package of cubed stuffing, $2.14, down 16 cents
• 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries, $1.54, down 16 cents
• 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $1.54, down seven cents
• 16-ounce package of frozen green peas, $1.06, down seven cents

• A half-pint carton of whipping cream, $1.11, down four cents

Miller says that there have been low prices at the farm level for several years now due to large supplies in all commodities, and the lower prices are just now reaching the retail level.

So when you say grace this holiday season, remember to include America’s hardworking farmers in your blessings. Their sacrifices over the past few years are making this year’s Thanksgiving dinner much easier on your pocketbook.

[Marty Ahrends]

[NOV. 13, 2000]  We’ve been through a season of ups and downs — no doubt about it. First we had a lack of rainfall in most areas, then we caught up in one fell swoop, then turned dry again. We have also watched the prices for ag commodities pretty much head south — literally. Extension has slated some educational offerings for the winter season that might help you in your agriculture operation and your home. In this column, I’ll outline some of the upcoming sessions.

These days, technical agriculture is often linked directly with global positioning systems and all of the bells and whistles that different parts of the puzzle can offer. After collecting data for a period of time, it is important to put that data to use. A Nov. 16 workshop with Jay Solomon and Dr. Sufeng Han will focus on current research and development in this area, and most importantly, how to put your yield maps and other data to work. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. until noon at the new 4-H and Extension Center located on the west edge of the Logan County Fairgrounds. Attendance is limited to 20 participants, and you may register by calling the office at 732-8289.

"What Does It Cost To Farm?" is the title given to a seminar co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and Farm Credit Services. The seminar will be Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the 4-H and Extension Center. Highlighted will be the various costs of farming including land costs, land values, interest rates and machinery costs. A complimentary lunch will be served over the noon hour. Register by calling the Extension office at 732-8289.

Soybean cyst nematodes have long been an economic pest in Logan County. Extension will have a fall diagnostic clinic on Nov. 30 at Tri Ag Fertilizer and Chemical at Emden to help producers determine management strategies to deal with this pest. At the clinic, you may have two samples analyzed free of charge and additional samples at $5 each. Samples should be taken like soil samples (6- to 7-inches deep) and representative of a field or area. Samples taken in advance of the clinic should be stored in your refrigerator to prevent them from drying out.

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Private Applicator Pesticide Training is a required class for those wanting to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides on ground that you own or operate. This season’s training and testing sessions will be Dec. 5, 2000, and Feb. 20, 2001. Both sessions will begin with training at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with the test (most participants should be out of the sessions by 12:30 p.m.). Both sessions will be at the new 4-H and Extension Center located on the west side of the fairgrounds. These training sessions will also meet requirements for Worker Protection Standards training if you have employees that need that designation. Registration is limited at each session, so call the office at 732-8289 to get your name on the list. You may actually train at any location in the state, and each person due to retest this year received a list of statewide clinics. You may also make an appointment at the Illinois Department of Agriculture to just take the test by calling (217) 785-2427, but you will have to take the test in Springfield if you use this option.

Hopefully these offerings will help you improve your operation efficiencies.

[John Fulton]

Announcements

Steffens exhibits winner in sheep show
[NOV. 18, 2000]  Aaron Steffens of rural Lincoln exhibited the Junior Champion Ewe in the National Open Hampshire Show of the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., on Wednesday Nov. 15. Earlier in the week, his lamb had also won the February Ewe Lamb Class in the National Junior Hampshire Show.

[NOV. 2, 2000]  The Hartem FFA Ag Issues team placed fifth out of 27 teams at the recent National FFA Convention competition. The team members — Kate Wrage, Matt Duckworth, Sarah Struebing, Nick Reinhart, Anthony Jones, Nic Coers and Natalie Coers — presented a forum on genetically modified organisms. The team advanced through the preliminaries and into the semifinal rounds. By going this far, the team ranked as a National Silver Emblem winner.

While at the convention, the team, along with Hartem FFA members Daniel Eeten and Brittney Kavanaugh, heard keynote speaker Debra Norville and witnessed the naming of the American Star Farmer and American Star in Agribusiness, besides taking time to tour the Agriculture Career Show.

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