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Dekalb funds NASCAR FFA scholarship. U of I schedules farm economics summits. Plus, the IFYE program is accepting applications.

December 2, 2019

3 Min Read
NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer meets with North Lyon County FFA student Kaylee Burton and advisor Jacob Lang
RACE ON: North Lyon County FFA member Kaylee Burton of Americus, Kan., and FFA Advisor Jacob Lang met with NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer following a race where Dekalb raised funds for an FFA scholarship.Photo courtesy of Bayer

NASCAR, Dekalb corn fund FFA scholarship

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, the National FFA Organization and Bayer’s Dekalb corn brand are teaming up to help students cross the finish line with the new Left Turns for Learning agriculture scholarship.

Bowyer completed 267 laps with the No. 14 Dekalb Ford Mustang during the Kansas Speedway NASCAR race on Oct. 20 to fund the $10,138 FFA scholarship.

The scholarship was created by Dekalb to help students achieve their goals and advance the agriculture industry. The dollar amount was determined by the number of laps Bowyer completed with the No. 14 Dekalb race car.

“For one selected student, this scholarship not only helps them reach their ‘finish line,’ but also illustrates how superior performance is driven by innovation, perseverance and the team supporting you,” says Pete Uitenbroek, Dekalb and Asgrow brand marketing lead for Bayer.

Eligible FFA high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors pursuing an ag-related degree can apply for the scholarship through Jan. 15 by visiting the National FFA website. The scholarship winner will be notified by FFA in April.

U of I hosts farm economics summits

Speakers from University of Illinois Extension and the Farmdoc team in U of I’s Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics will explore topics such as the 2020 outlook for prices and farm profitability at the 2019 Illinois Farm Economics Summits in December.

The consequences of the ongoing trade war with China, combined with one of the wettest spring planting seasons on record, will be reviewed at each of the five events scheduled throughout the state.

“Producers and landowners continue to face a series of difficult management challenges as they grapple with adjusting to this highly volatile economic environment,” says U of I ag economist Scott Irwin, adding that the events will give answers to such questions as: What is the prospect for a recovery in grain prices? Should cash rents be lower? And if so, how much lower? What strategies can be used to weather the current tough times?

The registration fee for each location is $85 per person. Save $5 by registering online for $80 by Dec. 9. This fee includes all meeting materials, break refreshments and lunch. Register by Dec. 9 to guarantee your spot. Registration will be available at the door for $90 per person as space permits. The dates and locations are as follows:

  • Dec. 16 Double Tree Hotel at 222 Potomac Blvd. in Mount Vernon, Ill.

  • Dec. 17 Crowne Plaza at 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, Ill.

  • Dec. 18 Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino at 21 Blackjack Blvd. in East Peoria, Ill.

  • Dec. 19 Faranda’s Banquet Center at 302 Grove St. in DeKalb, Ill.

  • Dec. 20 I Hotel and Conference Center at 1900 S. 1st St. in Champaign, Ill.

IFYE accepting applications

The International Four-H Youth Exchange, or IFYE, is accepting applications until mid-February for opportunities in more than 15 countries with its 2020 international exchange program. Applicants 19 years old and older can apply to experience rice harvesting in Thailand, dairy farming in Switzerland and cattle ranching in Argentina.

The application is available on the IFYE Association website. It takes less than 30 minutes to complete and submit. The IFYE national program director will then follow up with students to begin their international experience. 

Compeer accepting grant applications

Compeer Financial is accepting applications for its general use grant through Dec. 4. The grant is offered through the cooperative’s giving program, the Fund for Rural America.

The purpose of the grant is to fund programs and organizations doing work that aligns with Compeer’s mission of enriching agriculture and rural America. Applications must focus on one of the four following themes:

Education. Educating young, beginning or future farmers

Environment. Maintaining or improving the quality of the rural environment

Technology. Supporting the advancement and use of technology for the benefit of farmers and rural communities

Quality of life. Enhancing the quality of life for farmers and rural communities

Entries located within Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 per year. Applicants will be notified of their grant application status four to six weeks after the submission deadline. Funds will be awarded in 2020.

For more information about qualifications and to apply, visit the Compeer Financial website.

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