Farm activity is back in full swing! The Noland family rang in 2012 by celebrating Blake and Kristin’s marriage in Pasadena, CA. Leaving 75 degree and sunny weather for hauling corn in central Illinois’ frigid icebox was a little difficult, but the truck lines remain short at ADM’s corn processing plant. I spent Jan 7-14th in Austin, Texas, particpating in the final year of The Executive Program
for Ag Producers. The two-year program allows producers to improve their managment skills and broaden their network of peers across the country. The program http://tepap.tamu.edu/ is administered by Texas A&M… I’ve also included the topics covered this year http://tepap.tamu.edu/2012%20Unit%20II%20schedule.pdf .
Logan and I also had the opportunity to participate in a “restock the local food pantries” event at Kroger in Decatur. Organized by Big Brothers and Big Sisters, volunteers Altogether, the three locations collected over 1,870 food items and around $220 in monetary donations.