TLC Annual Meeting huge success

Nearly 200 people attended TLC's Annual Meeting on January 28th at Bull Valley Golf Club to hear speaker Orion Samuelson talk about the future of farming in McHenry County.

Guests included a number of county board members, municipal leaders from Woodstock, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, and Trout Valley. State Senator Pamela Althoff wanted to attend, but had to take care of a cold that day.

Attendees helped raise nearly $3000 at a silent auction and raffle. Silent auction items were donated by many local businesses, and were chosen to feature farm-related businesses in the county. Silent auction donations included: Joel & Linnea Kooistra: birthday party on their farm. Ken & Beverly Eriksen: red oak tree from their nursery. Prairie Pure Cheese in Belvidere: gift box with three varieties of locally produced cheese. Willow Lea Farm in Greenwood: gift certificate for natural beef from their farm in Greenwood.

The event included recognition of 2006 easement donors Walter & Madeline Bolger, who placed the county's first ever agricultural preservation easement on 69 acres of their farm south of McHenry. The farm has been inthe Bolger family since 1863 when Thomas Bolger acquired the land. Great-grandson Walter is the fourth generation of his family to work the farm, and while the land may one day pass from the Bolger family, it will remain forever farmland thanks to the generosity and courage of Walter and Madeline.

Recognition was also given to David Hall, Trout Valley Village Trustee and Alan & Jeanine Dammann for their efforts to preserve oak trees in the county.

Trustee Hall single-handedly took on Commonwealth Edison to get the company to utilize appropriate pruning practices when cutting trees in the utility right-of-way. They were spreading the fungus known as "oak wilt" by not cleaning their equipment between trees. Given that the county's oak resources have been depleted by 90% from the 1830's, any effort to reduce the spread of disease among remaining trees can make a big difference.

The Dammanns were recognized for the marvelous restoration they have done on their oak woodland in Bull Valley, and for their decision to dedicate the land as an Illinois Nature Preserve. The dedication will help ensure that the woodland (approximately 10 acres) will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.