Marc Adami supplied this event information.

The Whiteside Forum will host a panel discussion on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in the Community Room of the Odell Public Library discussing current agriculture. The Odell Public Library is located at 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL; the program will begin at 2:00 p.m. All Forum events are free and open to the public. Audience participation during the question-and-answer period is encouraged.

The title is “Farm Life, Feeding the World, and Future Farmers.”

The panel includes Kevin Larsen, Agriculture Professor, Sauk Valley Community College; Rachel Eissens, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Morrison; Dr. Michael Selover, SVCC Agriculture Instructor; Ron Lawfer, a dairy farmer from Kent, IL, who milks with robotic milkers; Don Temple, our local Farm Bureau Board President.

Our speakers will give short presentations on what they do and what they hope for. Your questions and concerns can further our understanding in a moderated discussion.
1. What is farm life like today, now that farmers constitute only one percent of the U. S. population?
2. How will we feed an ever-increasing, global population, without degrading our environment and–particularly–the environment downstream?
3. What challenges do farmers face today?
4. The USDA defines a farm as any place that produced and sold–or normally would have produced and sold–at least $1000 of agricultural products, during a given year. Do you or could you qualify?
5. What are your questions about farm life, farming practices, and future trends?

For more information about this event or The Whiteside Forum contact Marc Adami by text 815-718-5347 or email marcadami53@gmail.com.