Twenty Illinois farmers/couples will comprise the 2007-2009 class of Cultivating Master Farmers (CMF), a program designed to link young and beginning farmers with Prairie Farmer Master Farmers to share ideas and information.

The participants were chosen on a combination of factors, including background, experience, an eagerness to learn from the program and a willingness to share information with others. The individuals will participate in six scheduled events over two years held adjacent to or in conjunction with regularly scheduled agricultural activities.

Following are participants in the 2007-2009 CMF program:

Young Farmers: Chad and Deb Bremmer, Pearl City: Jarad Carroll, Mount Carroll; Cory Green, Tuscola; Jeffrey Hackman; Havana; Jason Johnson, Paxton; Mark and Sherri Kannmacher, Martinsville; Jason and Misty Lay, Bloomington; William and Lisa McDonnell, Ottawa; Peter Pistorius, Blue Mound; and Brent and Connie Pollard, Rockford.

Master Farmers: Jack and Jeannie Erisman, Pana; Mike and Judy Hennenfent, Gilson; Kent and Linda Krukewitt, Homer: Thomas and Debbie Mueller, Taylor Ridge; John and Nancy Riefsteck, Champaign; Russell and Marilyn Rosenboom, Clifton; Randy and Mary Ann Sims, Liberty; Steve and Judi Stierwalt, Sadorus; Jim and Sue Walter, DeKalb; Larry and Kathy Wernsing, Raymond; .
The kickoff meeting for the CMF program will begin at 11:30 a.m. on July 11, at the Farm Credit Services Office in Champaign, followed by roundtable discussions and the 2007 Master Farmer dinner awards program at the University of Illinois Alumni Center.

Additional meetings are planned for Aug. 30 in conjunction with the Farm Progress Show in Decatur and for Nov. 19 at the Illinois Commodity Conference in Bloomington.

Sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau, 1st Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of Illinois, Farm Progress Companies, Growmark, Inc., and Monsanto, the CMF program provides an opportunity for young and seasoned farmers to share ideas, information and strategies on ways to best manage a farming operation in today's ever changing environment.

The inaugural 2005-2007 class graduated earlier this year.