EFFINGHAM, Ill. — In the hustle and bustle of daily life, you might notice buildings or signs of local businesses in your community. Maybe you recognize the name. Maybe you know some people that work there. But, do you ever stop to wonder what exactly it is they do? University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau provide a unique opportunity to homeschool families to find out just that. This program, called Farm to Family Ag Tours, features a monthly tour, visiting local farms and businesses, where families can discover the importance of agriculture in their local communities. “Our goal is to provide a fun, educational experience for youth and adults, while creating transparency and eliminating misconceptions about the agriculture industry,” said Tabitha Welch, Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension.
On January 26, 2017, over 40 participants visited the Equity and Walton & Haarmann Veterinary Clinic in Effingham, IL.
For the morning tour, participants learned about the Equity’s grain, feed, and livestock services. “The Equity was honored to have the opportunity to educate local homeschool families about agriculture and our business. We are glad to be a part of this community and appreciate the group taking time out of their day to learn about what The Equity does,” said Robin Brown, Employee Relations & Marketing Manager. The Equity is an Agricultural Cooperative serving 37 counties in Illinois. It is a full-service cooperative offering a complete line of supplies and services for farm and residential customers. The Equity has locations in Effingham, Stewardson, Altamont, Farina, Alma, West Liberty, Marshall, Lovington, Robinson, Montrose, Dieterich, Pana, Galton, Greenville, St. Rose, Strasburg, and Horace Illinois.
After lunch, Walton & Haarmann Veterinary Clinic hosted families to inform them about animal care. According to Dr. Nikki Haarmann, their practice enjoys being part of the community. “The staff and I loved having the children and their families visit the clinic,” she said. “I was very impressed with their willingness to participate and the great questions they asked. Programs like this are so important for the community and we were excited to be a part of it. I wanted the children to learn that veterinarians and farmers work together to keep our animals healthy, happy, and part of a safe food supply. And hopefully they had some fun learning about pets as well.” Walton & Haarmann Veterinary Clinic is always accepting new clients and would love to be your other family doctor!
University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau plan to provide tours throughout the year covering a variety of agriculture related topics. To learn more about this opportunity or to host a tour, contact Tabitha Welch at 217-347-7773, or visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cefj/.
— Illinois Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension
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