Today starts school, at least at my house. I would love to know where summer went! It seems like only yesterday I was begging for warm weather to come and now I am begging for it to stay. Only yesterday I was trying to figure out my summer sitter schedule. I do have to say that I am ready to be back into the school routine. While summer proves to be my favorite season, I am also anal enough to have the inconsistency drive me insane some days!

Another Carroll County Fair is in the books. The older I get the more I swear I will not make it through the week. I remember back to when I thought the world would come to an end if I missed the fair. It is certainly an exhausting week. The Children’s Farm continues to be a hit. I always smile as the children who have no contact with any “farm” animals come into the Children’s Farm. The looks on their face are priceless. I have to say my favorite animal was the calf. She was so little and loved every bit of attention she had.

This year was the first year in (guessing here) about 17 that there was not a sheep rodeo. To replace the event, the Young Leaders teamed up with the Carroll County 4-H. Our first year we didn’t have the number of teams that we had hoped for, but I was told by many other counties that is how it works! Very few were brave enough to participate in something they have never seen before! The event however went over very well and we ended up with 9 teams. A huge Thank You goes out to the sponsors of the event: Clark Carroll Insurance, Eastland Feed & Grain, 1st Farm Credit, Carroll Service, Milledgeville State Bank, THE National Bank, Lanark Ag, and First Class Insurance. Without their assistance, the event wouldn’t be possible. Also a big thank you to all the Young Leaders who assisted with the event and the 4-H Ambassadors. They did a great job of making sure there were no injuries and the event ran smoothly. We will surely be planning for next year!

I have heard some questions recently on the SPCC. The Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule governs oil and fuel storage for many businesses, including farms. Those of you who have been in operation and fit the guidelines need to currently have a plan. New farms that were not in existence before 2002 have until November 2011 to be in compliance. A fact sheet detailing the requirements and compliance information is available on our website at www.carrollcfb.org.

Good News! Crop-share tenant farmers will no longer be considered “for-hire” and implements of husbandry will not be regulated as trucks under the terms of the announcement issued August 12 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA.) That decision wipes away mountains of uncertainty for farmers faced with serious decisions about motor carrier safety regulations (MCSR) and how their operations could function legally.  

For sale: 2000 General Marine Jon boat  18’  72” beam.  Model  NVJR 1848 with 2001 Mercury 40 HP oil injected, power tilt & trim motor. Hummingbird 400TX locator, Minnkota 50# Endura trolling motor, (2) anchormate electric anchors, (2) seal beam headlights, carpeted with 2001 haul rite roller bearing trailer.  Dual batteries and covers.   $4200.  Can be seen in Thomson Illinois.  Call to see.
FS:  2003 Suzuki GSXR-600 – Custom paint, new tires, Devil Shotgun Exhaust, 13,000 miles - $5000 obo –

FS: 2002 Chevy S10 ext. cab 4x4 2R2 Package. 87,500 miles, auto, very clean & good condition. White in color with black int. & tonneau cover.

FS: 1946 Vac Case, New Rear Tires & good condition.

FS: 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 2wd 4.3-5speed, 42,000 miles $5,900.00

FS: Almost 2 years old Purebred Blood Hound, needs some training $50

FS: Farm fresh helmeted eggs, guinea keets & baby chick, straight run. South Carroll County

FS: Futon bed w/mattress $100

FS: Misses size 16 jeans & capris

FS: Fishing & boating items priced to sell: 2 Lowrance locaters, anchors, middle buckets, outboard motor oil, rod holders, lifejackets rods & reels

FS: Rose of Sharon bushes pink & white 15-18in tall $3 each. Sliver Maple trees 18-24in tall $2 each

FS: Homegrown tomatoes, red beets, peppers, and potatoes.

FOR SALE:  Four days, three nights in December 2011 at Glacier Canyon Wilderness Territory Resort at the Wisconsin Dells.  Includes access to indoor water parks.  Call for more details.

WANTED: Fresh dill

FS: All natural beef, quarter or half. Available Aug. 24th

FS: 15ft 5th Wheel Camper $600 OBO

FS: Silver maple seedlings 12 to 18” tall $2.00 each. Grow 6 feet in a year

FS: 4 prong left handed cane $15

FS: Large round bales of grass hay. No rain, stored inside.

FS: 24in Huffy Purple Bike, $25. 20in Mongoose Bike, $25. 3 Queen Ann tables & 2 end tables of solid wood, $250. 2 Pioneer Speakers 2ft high CS-A31,never used $75 each or $150 for the set. 2 Victorian glass lamps $50 each

FS: Happy Hens Healthy Eggs- Multi Colored, Chicken and now duck eggs will deliver