If there’s one thing that Farm Bureau members are universally known for, it’s the impact that volunteers have had on behalf of family farms over the past 100 years of this Champaign County organization.  It’s no surprise, therefore, that excitement is growing for a Harvest Luncheon coming right up on Wednesday, October 3, in the CCFB Auditorium that will focus on the importance of volunteerism and the continuing need for members to lock arms and work together on today’s issues that deeply impact agriculture.

Sponsors for the event will include the CCFB Women’s Committee and the 100^th Anniversary Committee.  The event begins with a catered lunch of sweet smoked pork loin by L.A. Gourmet at 11 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m.   Cost is $20 to attend and registration is limited to 80, so reservations should be made as soon as possible!  Doors will open at 10 a.m.

 Featured speaker for the event is Isabella Chism, the second vice-president of Indiana Farm Bureau.  Chism also serves on the IFB board of directors and its affiliated companies, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.  She is a member of the executive committee and chairs the State Women’s Leadership Committee.

  Chism and her husband, Kent, farm in Howard County, raising corn and soybeans.  They have three grown children, all of whom are married, and one grandson.  This past growing season was the first year that two of the children and their families began farming with their parents.

At the state Farm Bureau level, she has served on the leadership development committee, the resolutions committee, and the ELECT Oversight Committee.  She promotes Ag-in-the-Classroom as well as Taste from Indiana Farms at the Indiana State Fair and leads other educational programs that reach hundreds of children and parents.

Other leadership positions include membership on the Howard County Extension Board, leader of a community Bible study of more than 220 women, Christian education director and board member of her church, and she’s been an adult Bible study leader for more than 23 years.  Chism is a lay director of the Great Banquet Ministry, a member of the Northwestern School Corporation strategic planning committee, and chair of the schoolbook adoption committee.  Isabella also ran a successful in-home business, managing 42 people.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate 100 years of Farm Bureau than with a speaker who truly understands volunteerism,” said CCFB Assistant Manager Susie Harbaugh.  “In our organization just as others, it’s essential to know how to recruit volunteers; how to keep them; how to motivate them; and how to treat them.  It’s clear that Isabella has the experience and the background to help us celebrate 100 years of Farm Bureau and even more importantly, take us back to our roots and remind us of the importance of giving back.”