News

Steffen Recognized by Illinois Cooperative Council

Joe Steffen, agriculture education instructor and FFA Chapter Advisor at Newark High School, was presented with the 2016 Illinois Cooperative Council’s Outstanding Cooperative Educator Award during the Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates Youth Conference held in East Peoria on Tuesday, April 4, 2016.

Renee Deuth, vice-chair of the Illinois Cooperative Council and membership and program manager for the Illinois Farm Bureau, who presented Steffen with the award, said, “Mr. Steffen is an outstanding educator who teaches the cooperative principles and cooperative way of doing business to his students year after year. His students are very fortunate to have him as their teacher and advisor.”

The Newark FFA Chapter consistently receives high honors from the Farm Bureau and Affiliates Cooperative program. Steffen’s chapter has a strong understanding of the cooperative principles and demonstrates them well though their project. Mr. Steffen instils the cooperative principles in his students and their cooperative program, an ag test plot.

Deuth praised Steffen for being highly respected by his peers and always willing to jump in and lend a hand.

For more than 30 years the Illinois Cooperative Council has promoted a positive climate for cooperatives and helped educate the public about the value and importance of cooperatives in their everyday lives. The council has publicized the wide range of essential goods and services cooperatives offer and the differences between cooperative and corporate business models.

Each year the council presents awards in four leadership categories: Director, Manager/CEO, Educator and Friend.

Hannah Recognized by Illinois Cooperative Council

Jacqueline Hannah, general manager of Common Ground Food Cooperative, Urbana, was presented with the 2014 Illinois Cooperative Council’s (ICC) Outstanding Cooperative Manager Award on Monday, January 13.

Fred Iutzi, program manager for the Illinois Cooperative Development Center, Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs, who nominated Hannah for the award, says, “Jacqueline has been a transformative general manager at her co-op. During the course of five years, she led her team to a tenfold increase in sales, while at the same time producing large increases in member-owner goals around access to purchasing local food and community outreach and education. Jacqueline also embodies the ‘cooperation among cooperatives’ principle, giving generously of her time and expertise to mentor start-up food co-ops and supporting cooperative development efforts in both Illinois and Indiana.”

ICC Chair Nancy Rhoads McDonald, who presented Hannah with the award, said, “Jacqueline’s enthusiasm for the advancement of Common Ground Food Co-op, and the cooperative business model is contagious and to be commended. She is truly the ‘best of the best’ among cooperative leaders and is so deserving of this award.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kraft Recognized by Illinois Cooperative Council

Larry Kraft, immediate past board chairman of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) in Springfield, was presented with the 2014 Illinois Cooperative Council’s Outstanding Cooperative Director Award during the association’s annual meeting held in Springfield on Thursday, July 31.

Rod Kelsay, secretary of the Illinois Cooperative Council and executive director of Mid America Cooperative Council in Indianapolis, who presented Kraft with the award, said, “Larry has been a great supporter of educational programs for all co-ops. And under his tenure as chairman of the Monroe County Electric board, Concordia Water District was created and in the future will bring water to currently unserved rural residents.”

Kraft has been a strong leader within the electric cooperatives, serving as board chairman of Monroe County Electric Co-Operative in Waterloo and recently completing his term as board chairman of the AIEC.

Kelsay praised Kraft for being highly respected by his peers and always willing to jump in and lend a hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robison Named 2013 Outstanding Cooperative Educator

Jeffrey Robison, Ag Education instructor/FFA advisor at Goreville High School, was recently presented with the 2013 Illinois Cooperative Council’s Outstanding Cooperative Educator Award.

For more than 30 years, efforts of the Illinois Cooperative Council have promoted a positive climate for cooperatives and helped educate the public about the value and importance of cooperatives in their everyday lives. The council has publicized the wide range of essential goods and services cooperatives offer and the differences between cooperative and corporate business models.

Each year the council presents awards in four leadership categories: Director, Manager/CEO, Educator and Friend.

Robison was a 1990 graduate of Goreville High School and has been an instructor/FFA advisor there since August 1997. He was responsible for leading the Goreville FFA chapter to a top 10 ranking in the nation. Steve Webb, PhD, superintendent at Goreville Community Unit School District praised Robison, saying, “Mr. Robison has a passion for teaching his students life lessons as well as their regular agriculture curriculum and we are very proud of that here at Goreville Schools.  He works tirelessly to give his students unique opportunities that they will remember forever and this award helps highlight what he has done for our FFA program and the hundreds of students he has mentored over the years.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Receives USDA Grant to Aid in Cooperative Research and Education

http://1.usa.gov/1c9bfwx

Galva FFA Wins Understanding Cooperatives Video Contest

Congratulations to the Galva FFA Chapter for winning first and second place in the 2012 Understanding Cooperatives Video Contest!