News

2024 Hunter Safety Course

2024 Hunter Safety Course- August 23 & August 24

Friday, August 23 from 6:00-10:00 pm and Saturday, August 24 from 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Knox Agri-Center, 180 S. Soangetaha Rd, Galesburg

Area residents, 8 years old and above, will have an opportunity to learn basic principles of safe hunting at a Department of Natural Resources hunter safety course sponsored by the Knox County Farm Bureau Young Farmers. Participants must attend both session days. A snack will be provided on Friday evening and lunch provided on Saturday.

Participants must be 8 years old and above. A 1996 state law requires that all hunters born on or after January 1, 1980 must successfully complete the hunter education course before they can receive their first hunting license. Participants completing the hunter education course will receive a Hunter Education Certification card verifying that they have passed the course of instruction.

Classes are free and taught by volunteer instructors. The programs are primarily designed to train young people between the ages of 12-18 and materials are based on a sixth-grade reading level. Anyone under the age of 10 has to be accompanied by an adult the whole class.

The minimum ten hour course includes instruction in wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques and regulations. This course is limited to 40 participants and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Please call the Knox County Farm Bureau with any questions 309-342-2036

This course is sponsored by the Knox County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Knox County Pheasants Forever.

Registration will open on July 8 at Noon HERE.

Tractor & Lawnmower Safety School & Driving Contest

The Knox County Farm Bureau Young Leaders are hosting their 2^nd Annual 4-H & FFA Lawnmower & Tractor Safety School & Driving Contest on July 25 at the Knox County Fairgrounds at 6PM. Pork Chops and hot dogs will be served prior to the safety school portion of the night. Young Leaders will teach participants 8-13 lawnmower safety and 14 and older tractor safety. After a brief safety test, participants will be able to take part in the lawnmower or tractor driving contest course. Please RSVP to the office at 309-342-2036 or HERE. This event was rescheduled from June 25 to July 25 due to weather.

Agriculture in the Community Grant

The Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Agriculture in the Community Grant! In 2022, the Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation adapted a new Mission Statement, “sustaining and promoting the growth of agriculture in Knox County through education and philanthropy.” The Foundation has also done strategic planning with a goal of offering community grants to further the agriculture industry. These grants are available to teachers, FFA Chapters & 4-H Clubs, and community groups wanting to signify the importance of agriculture in Knox County.

Teachers- have a lesson idea that goes beyond the usual Ag in the Classroom curriculum?

FFA Chapters & 4-H Clubs- have a field trip idea that would improve groups members knowledge of agriculture?

Community Groups- have an idea that brings agriculture to the community?

Grant Guidelines:

Grant proposals will be accepted 4 times throughout the year on the 1st of February, May, August, and November.
Grant applications must be submitted on the application form.
The audience of the project must include a majority of Knox County/Knox County residents.
The recipients of the grants will be chosen based on the above criteria and guidelines along with the answers to the questions. Some applications may not be funded.
One project may be submitted at a time per quarter.
The grant funds may not cover all expenses related to the project.
Projects that have a lasting impact will be favored over those with a short-term impact.
A final report will have to be submitted within three months of completion of project.
Publicity of the project will be coordinated with the Knox County Farm Bureau Executive Director.
Additional information may be requested to verify the organization status.

Questions regarding the grant application should be sent to knoxcfb@knoxcfb.org

2024 Application Due Dates: February 1, 2024; May 1, 2024; August 1, 2024; November 1, 2024

TO APPLY:

To complete an application, click HERE and submit THIS budget worksheet.

4-H Fair Activities

Check out what we have planned for the 2024 4-H Fair! Call the office with any questions!

8th Annual Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Outing

Join us for an exciting day of golf to help support the Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation! Registration begins at 7:00am with a shotgun start at 8:00am. Four-person teams playing best ball. Team entry fee is $260. Individual entry fee is $65. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart and lunch. All proceeds will benefit Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation Ag in the Classroom, scholarship, and Agriculture in the Community Grant Program.

To register your team or become a sponsor, click HERE.