Farm Family Event Planned for March 23
March 09, 2026
The HSHS St. Francis Foundation and its agriculture committee will host the Farm Family event Monday, March 23 at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. The Farm Family Event is a free event where Macoupin and Montgomery County farmers and their families can come together for a day of health, education and community.
Complimentary health screenings will be available from 7 to 9 a.m. and will include:
A hearty breakfast buffet will begin at 7:45 a.m., compliments of Litchfield Family Practice Center. At 8:15 a.m., Jonathan Griffel, who farms corn and soybeans, and also raises beef cattle, will discuss "What the new food pyramid means for agriculture.” Active in the Farm Bureau, he has served as an ambassador to the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and received his bachelor's degree in business management and accounting from Blackburn College. At 9 a.m., Tom Emery, freelance writer and historical researcher, will present “19th Century Agriculture Across Central Illinois." Emery has created 44 books and booklet titles in his career.
Following their presentations, the event will conclude with the presentation of the St. Isidore, Friend of Agriculture Award and drawings for door prizes.
“We hope this event will be beneficial to our area farmers by providing them with health screenings, timely information on agriculture issues, and a nice meal,” said Paula Endress, St. Francis Hospital Philanthropy Manager. “We appreciate all the work of our agriculture committee members in planning this event – Lou Ellen Anderson, Eric Helgen, Erik Hyam, Jean Jubelt, Jane Martin, Bill Montgomery and Kevin Niemann.”
Complimentary health screenings will be available from 7 to 9 a.m. and will include:
- Comprehensive blood profile screening
- Prostate screening
- Skin cancer screening
- Hemoglobin A1C check
- Hearing check
- Blood pressure check
- At-home colon cancer screening kit
A hearty breakfast buffet will begin at 7:45 a.m., compliments of Litchfield Family Practice Center. At 8:15 a.m., Jonathan Griffel, who farms corn and soybeans, and also raises beef cattle, will discuss "What the new food pyramid means for agriculture.” Active in the Farm Bureau, he has served as an ambassador to the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and received his bachelor's degree in business management and accounting from Blackburn College. At 9 a.m., Tom Emery, freelance writer and historical researcher, will present “19th Century Agriculture Across Central Illinois." Emery has created 44 books and booklet titles in his career.
Following their presentations, the event will conclude with the presentation of the St. Isidore, Friend of Agriculture Award and drawings for door prizes.
“We hope this event will be beneficial to our area farmers by providing them with health screenings, timely information on agriculture issues, and a nice meal,” said Paula Endress, St. Francis Hospital Philanthropy Manager. “We appreciate all the work of our agriculture committee members in planning this event – Lou Ellen Anderson, Eric Helgen, Erik Hyam, Jean Jubelt, Jane Martin, Bill Montgomery and Kevin Niemann.”
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