Champaign County Farm Bureau

Wheeling the Wabash

Wheeling the Wabash

by, Kirk L. Builta, Information Director

The Wabash River Valley was home of the 12^th annual Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Bike Ride in early September. To raise money and awareness for agriculture education initiatives, nearly 50 riders from across Illinois peddled over the rolling hills and river bottoms of Edwards, Lawrence, Wabash , Wayne and White counties.

Beginning each day in Grayville, IL, the three day ride supported Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom by “raising funds, friends and fun” to support the program. Along the way, riders stopped at 25 area schools providing a short presentation about the importance of Agriculture in students’ everyday lives. An experience local rider, Don Bergfield called rewarding and fun. “It was great to visit with High School FFA members and other students along the way. Speaking with students and teachers who benefit from our ride and seeing first hand the students who benefit from our initiative means a lot to all of us” said Bergfield, agriculture instructor at Parkland Community College and long-time AITC bike ride participant.

The three day ride was part of the Illinois Agriculture Association (IAA) Foundation’s initiative to raise $566,000 in additional funding for County Agricultural Literacy Coalitions over the next two years. This important effort is supported by Agribusiness, commodity groups, government and foundation grants and individuals, so that our children might appreciate and understand the importance of our industry.