Awards presented as Beef and Ag Fest gets underway

A large crowd gathered last night to hear the Decatur Park Singers for the opening of the Beef and Ag Festival. But before they began, a presentation by Citizens First National Bank was made to recognize Cleo and Mary Lanham of Sheffield as the 2011 Volunteers of the Year. They were acknowledged for their work with the Western Bureau County Food Pantry as well as serving on the Village of Sheffield Board, and various other volunteer efforts.  During intermission, six students received the Farm Bureau Foundation scholarships. They are Amanda Corbin of Princeton, Beau Jensen of Tiskilwa, Jaymes Maciejewski of Princeton, Donna McCune of Walnut, Tevis Mott of Buda, and Sarah Schlund of Princeton. They will receive financial assistance as they pursue careers in agriculture.  Following that presentation, the Bureau County Farm Bureau, Bureau County Pork Producers Association and the Bureau County Cattleman’s Association awarded Karl Schultz with the 2011 Bureau County Agricultural Service Award. Schultz said he was humbled by the recognition.  Beef and Ag Festival continues today with a petting zoo, tractor rides, kettle corn and fried mushrooms, and beef dinners.  The Bureau County Cattlemen's Association is grilling steak sandwiches and all-beef hot dogs until 6 tonight at the Bureau County Fairgrounds with a drive-through service offered.