RFD Today

The show kicks off with a Seven with Kevin, Illinois Farm Bureau's Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities provides us an update on issues. Jim Taylor continues his coverage from the National FFA Convention, including visits with Jay Solomonson from the Illinois State University Department of Agriculture and Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences FFA Chapter President Bernard Balti...

Coverage of the National FFA Convention as we visit with former Peotone FFA member Mark Jones, now staffing the Joliet Junior College booth.   Monthly segment with Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown on mental health issues.   We visit with the new President of the National Corn Growers Association, Kenny Hartman from Waterloo. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government R...

Highlighting our great Illinois FFA chapters heading into the National FFA Convention including chats with Neoga, Streator, Cambridge, and Goreville chapters.  Emily Huber provides a Pioneer agronomy segment from the Peoria area. 

We talk ag and farm safety with farm safety specialist Amy Rademaker.  We preview the National FFA Convention with the Prairie Central agriculture communications team.  State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses October and fall weather stats.   

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse details the work in front of Congress post election. Josh Sullivan provides a CropWatcher report from Christian County. Ty Steffen from the Newark FFA Chapter is a American Star Farmer finalist at this week's National FFA Convention.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

"Seven with Kevin" featuring election and other updates from Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  Raghela Scavuzzo, Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development talks fall agritourism season. We highlight the Kaskaskia College Collegiate Farm Bureau.   DeLoss, Rita, and Jim finish the show with Pigskin Pickins'. 

Former Illinois FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider discusses his National FFA officer candidacy.  We hear from Streator FFA member Andres Salcido, who is competing in Spanish Creed Speaking at the National FFA Convention next week.  State Treasurer Michael Frerichs provides a monthly update. 

Illinois FFA Center Associate Director of Student Recognition Sean Welch highlights Illinois' involvement at next week's National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.   We highlight Marion County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Meggan Hiestand. Jason McVicker provides a Pioneer Agronomy segment along the Interstate 80 corridor.  

Karen Stallman highlights the Farm Family Resource Initiative and 833-FARM-SOS. Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Coordinator Jacey Yahne talks consumer trends and consumer engagement grants.  Trish Steckenrider with the Greater Metropolis CVB promotes the Fort Massac Encampment this weekend at the Fort Massac State Park. John Baranick, DTN ag meteorologist details more October dry weather....

We visit with COUNTRY Financial Crop Insurance Specialist Alan Davis at a “Feed a Farmer” event in Cambridge. Ryan Frieders provides a CropWatcher report from DeKalb County. We meet Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for October, Aidan Knobloch from Herscher High School. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

A weekly Illinois Farm Bureau “Seven with Kevin” update from Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. Don Schaefer with Mid-West Truckers Association talks harvest, recent dock strike, transportation, and details of a recent study that names women as the safer drivers on the road with 18-wheelers. USDA Rural Development State Director Pam Monetti shares information...

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel provides harvest and farm safety reminders. Illinois Deputy Director of Agriculture Kristi Jones discusses National 4-H Week and success and events going on this week at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Illinois acting 4-H Director Kevin Carey highlights the Beyond Ready campaign.   We meet Wayne-White Count...

Matt McClelland, Vice President & CEO of Prairie Farms Dairy & Frank Doll, President of Prairie Farms Dairy chat about a new incentive program being rolled out for dairy farmers along with new construction and growth for the cooperative. We celebrate National 4-H Week with Kevin Carey, acting director for Illinois 4-H. We feature a Pioneer agronomy segment with agronomist Matt Montgomery,...

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine attended last week's Illinois Renewable Energy Conference and says there was plenty of talk on batteries and battery storay. Jennifer Tirey provides an update from the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Clair discusses her involvement in 4-H. Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Pau...

We hear from new National Corn Growers Association President Kenny Hartman from Waterloo, Illinois.  We get an update from the Illnois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025. Todd Easton from Coles County provides a CropWatcher update. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow. An Illinois Beef Association update from Josh St. Peters. We hear from National FFA finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking, Marshal Allen Pruitt.   Friday Pigskin Pickins' with DeLoss, Jim, and Rita.  

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes talks about her role as a 4H club leader and then segues into a pest update.  University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Ken Johnson discusses pumpkin selection.   Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems provides an update. 

Heather Chambers, breast health navigator with OSF Healthcare Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, discusses Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   Kevin Daugherty provides an Illinois Ag in the Classroom update.  We highlight an expamle of FFA in action with Stewardson-Strasburg ag teacher Jennifer Barker. 

Susan Sams with the Energy Assistance Foundation discusses the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Program that is available in the Ameren Illinois service territory. We meet the president of the Illinois State University Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter, Beth Clark.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick looks at a dry October forecast. 

Melody Rosche Illinois Farm Bureau Local Government Research Specialist & Ryan Tate, IFB Associate Director of Local Government details the IFB Agritourism Zoning Map Project and the launch of the 2024-2025 Rural Development Grant Program. Jimmy Ayers from Sangamon County provides a CropWatcher report. Monica Nyman from the St. Louis District Dairy Council talks youth and teen nutrition. Joe C...

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. An update from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Develpment Raghela Scavuzzo. Lock and Dam discussion with Paul Rohde from the Waterways Council and Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel.  DeLoss, Ji...

Tim Killeen, President of the University of Illinois System visits with Illinois farm Bureau President Brian Duncan.  Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown talks mental health issues.  Tim Thompson, Vice Chair of Illinois Corn Marketing Board highlights partnerships with groups like the Illinois Farm Bureau & Illinois Livestock Development Group as well as the corn check-off investments...

We learn about EarthOptics from Mike Tweedy. We visit with Aidan White and Carmela Key with the Hinckley-Big Rock FFA Chapter.  We get an update from Darin Copeland at Prairie Farms Dairy.  

An update from the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025.  We visit with Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses tropical moisture impacting Illinois later this week.  

Katie Lemenager, Illinois Department of Agriculture International Marketing representative, details the success of the recent International Grain Buying Tour in the state. Larry Hummel from Lee County provides a CropWatcher report. Coverage from last month's Farm Progress Show, featuring Brandon Geiger, a seventh-generation farmer and owner of Geiger Ag at the Corteva Agriscience tent and Bergen N...