RFD Today

The show kicks off with our weekly "7 with Kevin."  An update from Illinois Farm Bureau's Kevin Semlow.  Then hear from McLean County Farm Bureau President Brian Dirks on a recent donation to the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal.  Finally, wrap up visiting with Nathan Spangler, a student at the University of Illinois who was a recent stem cell donor, an FFA American Star Farmer finalist, and...

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses his public comments to the Illinois Pollution Control Board.  IFB Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo provides local foods update. IFB Economic and Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely talks facts and figures with trade and tariffs.   Rich Lewis, Illinois National Archery in the Schools Pro...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan covers a number of ag related topics.  IFB Young Leader Program Coordinator Perry Harlow shares details about the Hoops for Hunger Bracket Challenge. Luke Allen, Chicago area FCAE Program Advisor previews this week's Illinois Jr. MANRRS Conference. Will Griffin from Valent USA discusses weed management. 

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza warns of tax related scams.   Julie Hewitt from Illinois NREC discusses annual report and 2026 requests for proposals.   DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick recaps last Friday's severe weather. 

An update from Don Schaefer with Springfield, Illinois based Mid-West Truckers Association.   Mellisa McMillan with the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation recaps the Class of 2025 international trip.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

Loads of information on Friday's show including updates from Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.   Jesse Kohlbecker, VP of Claims and Client Services with COUNTRY Financial talks severe weather prep.  Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather discusses today's severe storm potential. 

Highlighting the Jersey County CEO program, which includes 14 students this school year. The group project includes a children’s book titled "Adventures of Carl the Corn!" Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Program Coordinator Jacey Yahne provides an update. Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

We visit with Darlene "Dar" Knipe, Co-Founder of the National Food MarketMaker. Illinois Farm Bureau board member Jeff Kirwan recaps the 2025 Bushels for Hunger program in Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island Counties. Patrick Osterman, Vice President of Business Strategy at McDonough District Hospital talks rural health care issues.  We discuss resistance management with Will Griffin from Valent U.S.A....

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine reminds farmers to locate underground utilities before beginning any excavation projects this spring.  Jersey County author Rod Jackson discusses his new book "From the Creek Bank to the Classroom".   Jenny Colvin from the River Bend Food Bank talks food insecurity issues and a $21,000 donation from the "Bushels for Hunge...

We discuss the deadly 1925 Tri-State Tornado with Christine Wielgos, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY. A commemoration event is scheduled for Saturday at Murphysboro High School. We highlight the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for March, Owen Kocher from Richland County High School in Olney. Joe Camp at Commstock Investme...

Updates from Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. We then hear from Scott Gaffner.  The Bond County farmer Scott Gaffner, the first Illinois farmer on three national boards representing Illinois soybeans. U.S. Soybean Export Council, World Initiative for Soy in Human Health & U.S. Poultry & Egg Council. The...

Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of State Legislation Anna McKinley discusses deer nuisance  legislation filed in Springfield.   Photojournalist Vincent Johnson on his travels throughout the state and his new book “Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms In Illinois.”

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly provides a March update and says trapping cooperators are needed throughout the state. Commodity Classic coverage from RFD Radio's Rita Frazer.   University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring gardening.  

Jenna Spychal provides updates on the Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Jonamac Orchard in Malta.  Kevin Daugherty with Illinois Ag in the Classroom details some conferences coming up. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says heavy rain should impact parts of Illinois today and tonight.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse talks budget and Farm Bill.   We catch up Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition at the Commodity Classic. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.   We talk food insecurity with Michael Hoffman from Midwest Food Bank.  An update on the 2025 county fair season with Ken Tyrrell from the Sandwich Fair.  Eric Snodgrass previews next month's Illinois Farm Bureau Advantage Conference. 

Christian Lovell from the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition previews next month's Grazing Conference in Springfield.  We highlight an "Adopt a County Board Member" program in Woodford County with Woodford County Young Leader Ali Gibbs.  Henry County farmer Rock Katschnig provides a "snowbird" report. 

Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future promotes Spring Green Career Week.   We talk farmland market with Andrew Schultz with Arrowhead Land Company. 

We preview the Illinois Farm Bureau Advantage Conference with keynote speaker Peter Zeihan. We meet Alexis Shreves, manager for the Massac County Farm Bureau and Pulaski-Alexander Farm Bureau.  We chat local government with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate.  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford talks a wetter than normal spring planting outlook.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo recaps last month's Everything Local Conference.  Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely with an update on the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirement.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.  We visit with Cook County Farm Bureau member Kayla Biegel, who is participating in the Illinois Farm Bureau ALOT program.  Highlighting the Joliet Junior College Collegiate Farm Bureau with interviews from Kirstyn Lucht and Sean Morris.  

Celebrating National FFA Week with Illinois FFA State Secretary Owen Torrance.  We highlight the Village of Tampico celebrating its Sesquicentennial  this year and also its legacy to President Ronald Reagan with Sean Sandrock from the Reagan Community Center.   We learn about the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program with Tim Marten from Montgomery County.  

Coverage of the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference as we chat with IFB President Brian Duncan, IFB Director of Local Government Brenda Matherly, and Champaign County Farm Bureau Executive Director Kirk Builta.  Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Catching up with National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider during National FFA Week. Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely discusses the latest USDA Farm Income Forecast.   DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks changing weather pattern.  

We celebrate National FFA Week with Mindy Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the Illinois FFA Center.  KJ Johnson highlights Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association trainings.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a shortened market week.