Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Farm Bureau issued the following announcement on Aug. 15.

With relatively mild temperatures compared to some previous years, Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair got off to a busy start Tuesday with nice-sized crowds filling several venues.

The day featured many honors, including young Illinois agricultural leaders. A farm couple from Mount Carroll (Carroll County) and ag professionals from West Salem (Edwards County) achieved top honors as outstanding young leaders as part of a competition sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). Recipients included Farm Bureau Young Leaders Justin and Ellen Rahn along with Andrew and Heather Spray.

Justin and Ellen Rahn received the Young Leader Achievement Award. It recognizes young farmers who derive the majority of their income from farming for their efforts in production agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Current members of the Carroll County Young Leaders, the Rahns have participated in Young Leader projects including Harvest for All, Pedal Tractor Pulls, Ag Olympics and Farm to Fork events. They also actively participate in the Illinois Beef Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, local 4-H and FFA alumni associations and their local church.

The northwest Illinois couple raise soybeans, corn, rye and alfalfa and maintain a cow/calf and feeder cattle operation. They also manage their own custom cover crop business, raising, cleaning and selling rye and oat seed to local customers, as well as providing custom seed application.

Andrew and Heather Spray received the Excellence in Agriculture Award. It recognizes Young Leaders who actively participate in the agricultural sector but do not rely solely on production agriculture for income. It honors agricultural advocacy, leadership ability, participation and involvement in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

The Sprays have served in a variety of roles in the Edwards County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, including committee chair. They also work on Young Leader projects such as Harvest for All, Ag in the Classroom, Ag Olympics and Drivers’ Education Ag Awareness. They also have competed in the state Young Leader Agri-Quiz Bowl and attended the state Young Leader conference.

The Sale of Champions later Tuesday afternoon and a concert in the evening will wrap up Agriculture Day events. The fair continues in Springfield through Sunday.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Kankakee County Farm Bureau