​Students can count on support of scholarships for college tuition during the 2024-2025 school year, courtesy of the IAA Foundation.
 
The charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation, is awarding $151,501 to 89 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields. Students are selected based on their activities and leadership, their community involvement, professional career goals and their overall commitment to success.
 
“Each year we are proud to support and encourage students who represent agriculture’s strong and vibrant future,” said Jennifer Smith, Development Manager, IAA Foundation.
 
Derek Sample of Sesser was a recipient of the Allen and Ellen M. Blessman Scholarship.  Derek will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study Agricultural Education and is a member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee.  A full listing of recipients can be found at www.iaafoundation.org
 
Annually, the Illinois Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus combine to award more than $1,000,000 in scholarship support.
 
“The scholarship program acknowledges hard-working students and offers financial support so they can pursue their dreams and land careers in agriculture,” Smith said. “Through generous farm gifts and contributions from individuals, farm families, Illinois Farm Bureau members, and others who support our industry, we continue to see diversification and growth in our program.”
 
For more information on the IAA Foundation scholarship program, how to establish a scholarship, or to donate to a scholarship fund, visit the IAA Foundation’s website at www.iaafoundation.org or call 309-557-2232. 

​West Frankfort FFA and Franklin County Farm Bureau hosted a Farm Safety Day for 4th and 5th grade students from West Frankfort on April 25th at the Rend Lake College Agronomy Building.  Students were able to learn about general farm safety from Blake Patton and Addison Page of Rend Lake College, animal safety from West Frankfort FFA, seat belt safety from the Illinois State Police, firearm safety from the Illinois Conservation Police and lawn mower safety from H&R AgriPower.
We would like to thank Rend Lake College for donating the use of their equipment and facilities and to the COUNTRY Agents of Franklin County, Trudee Wynn, Leann Stilley and Dana Wylie for donating lunch for the volunteers.  We would also like to thank Illinois Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial for providing a Farm Safety Grant to help make this event possible.