|
 The
doors to the American Legion were opened before 6:30 a.m. to welcome
guests to the annual Ag Scholarship Breakfast that would commence at
7 a.m.
It has been three years since the last ag breakfast. In 2019 the
breakfast was held at Lincoln College. In 2020 and 2021 the
breakfast had to be cancelled due to coronavirus. This year, the
breakfast was held once again in a new location and on a slightly
smaller scale. This year there were no vendor tables set up for
guests to visit before and after the program. With the smaller
venue, the Farm Bureau had utilized all the space available to
provided seating for an expected 200 guests. Most of the tables
provided had guests seated at them by the time the program began.
As guests milled about and visited with friends and acquaintances,
Farm Bureau Manager Jim Drew announced that they were going to get
started promptly. He said that the guest speaker for the event was
on a time schedule and had to be in Springfield by 8:30 a.m. so they
would step up the pace and possibly rearrange the program slightly
to accommodate Representative Tim Butler.
Farm Bureau members and local farmer David Opperman was called on to
ask the blessing for the food and fellowship. Drew then encouraged
guests to assemble for the buffet breakfast prepared by the American
Legion.
As guests were mostly finished enjoying their breakfast Farm Bureau
Board Chairman Derrick Martin introduced Representative Butler.
Butler is currently the representative for the 87th Illinois
District. Due to redistricting that will take effect in 2023,
Butler’s district has been rearranged and he will not be
representing Logan County in the future. Butler spoke about this and
other issues important to the day. Complete coverage of Butler’s
speech may be found in a separate story in Lincoln Daily News.
After Butler left the podium, Drew returned. He said first he wanted
to thank everyone for attending. He went on to deliver a special
thank you to the Lincoln Memorial Hospital for sponsorship of the
meal. And finally, a thank you to all the sponsors of the breakfast
on the whole.
Drew then asked Abby Coers Miller to join him at the front of the
room. He said that Miller has been a great help to him over the
years in preparing presentations and PowerPoints for the Ag
Breakfast. This year, he wanted to acknowledge her contribution with
a plaque of appreciation.
In the room, there were a number of political figures and candidates
for office in the 2022 primary and/or general election. He
introduced those in attendance and asked that they stand. Included
in the group were Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers, Circuit Judge
Johnathan Wright, Representatives to the new 87th District Mary
Burress and Bill Hauter, and Eleventh Judicial Circuit Associate
Judge Amy McFarland.
Logan County Farm Bureau President Derrick Martin came to the podium
for the balance of the program.
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He offered thanks to all for coming and for the many involved in
agriculture, including the teachers and sponsors, local FFA and others.
Martin said that he was very proud of the scholarship program and
that it means a lot to Logan County Farm Bureau to be instrumental in helping
further the education of future ag leaders.
This is the fifth year of the Farm Bureau administering the scholarship
breakfast and program. Martin said as of this year, the Farm Bureau has awarded
$102,500 in scholarships to Logan County ag students.
In 2018 the awards totaled $16,000, in 2019 - $21,000, in 2020 -
$18,000, in 2021 - $22,500; and in 2022, $25,000 will be awarded in five, $5,000
scholarships.
As a show of appreciation to some of the ‘Planter” sponsors who have helped
throughout the years, plaques were presented to Ag-Land FS, AHM, Apex, BASF,
Best Friends Animal Hospital, Central Illinois Ag, Country Financial,
Frontier-Mt. Carroll Insurance, Graue Inc., Harbrand - Hopedale and Lincoln Ag,
Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, and Pioneer
Seed.
The last event of the day was the awarding of the five scholarships. After being
called to the front of the room, each of the five awardees were asked to
introduce themselves to the audience.
The 2022 Ag Scholarship recipients are:
Everett Maaks of Lincoln
Parents: Mike and Tracy Maaks
Plans to go to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Study to be a game warden
Lucas Kuhlman of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Jason Kuhlman and Katie Buckles
Plans to attend Iowa State University
Agronomy major
Alanea Cryulik of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Samantha and Chris Brown
Plans to attend Southern Illinois University
Major in ag education
Cassidy Clark of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Gale and Michelle Clark
Southern Illinois University
Ag communications
Jonathan Wright of Emden
Jonathan and Melanie Wright
Pensacola Christian College
Major in biology
With the introduction of each awardee the day was called to a conclusion by
Drew.
[Nila Smith] |
