Over 200 people attended the 30th annual Christian County Ag Group Ag Appreciation Luncheon at the Christian County Ag Fair over the noon hour today.

A host of Christian County ag businesses sponsored the event spotlighting the importance of agriculture to the Christian County economy.

Guest speaker was Scott Halpin, the Illinois State Executive Director for the U-S-D-A Farm Service Agency.  Halpin discussed the status of the pending Farm Bill passing thru Congress, adding that Congress must pass at least an extension by the end of September to avoid many U-S-D-A programs not having funding.

Halpin added the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress and signed by the President provides additional funding for U-S-D-A conservation programs for farmers.

A host of scholarships were announced at today's Ag Appreciation Luncheon.   The Christian County Ag Group awarded a scholarship to Jay Bliler, son of Nate and Elizabeth Bliler of Taylorville.   

And, Alec Myers, manager of the Christian County Farm Bureau and its Foundation, awarded 15-hundred dollar scholarships to several deserving students:

Jay Bliler of Taylorville

Riley Brown of Morrisonville

Julia Corzine of Assumption

Chloe Grant of Owaneco

Drew Mickey of Taylorville

Abby Morris of Palmer

Cole Paulek of Stonington

Waylon Paulek of Stonington

Tessa Saxe of Morrisonville

And

Lizzie Schafer of Owaneco.

After a host of dignitaries were introduced, a chicken dinner with all the trimmings was served and catered by Angelo's Catering.

The Christian County Ag Group was founded 30 years ago based on an idea by Taylorville native Richard "Dick" Breckenridge, who was recognized at the luncheon for his efforts in founding the group.