RFD Today

Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities provides his latest "Seven with Kevin" segment.  We learn about composting with worms from Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator.  Author Mark Jacob promotes his book on the Harlem Globetrotters and their Illinois origins. He will be making a presentation at the Abraham Linco...

We visit with Du Quoin State Fair Manager Luke Davison.  Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty provides an update.  State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes recaps 2024 and looks ahead to 2025. We talk seed treatments with Dair McDuffee from Valent.  

Brian Bretsch from Ameren Illinois discusses the utility's response to last weekend's winter storm in central and southern Illinois.   Wayne County Farm Bureau President David White discusses their "Understanding Your Property Taxes" resource guide.   Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodities and Food Systems provides monthly update, including the latest news on bird flu.  

An update on the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation with Program Director Mellisa McMillan and Class of 2025 fellow Heather Dollinger from Grundy County. Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator Perry Harlow previews next month's Young Leader conference in East Peoria.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick discusses a calm weather pattern following last weekend's winter storm in central...

Scholarship season is underway as we visit with IAA Foundation's Jennifer Smith. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses state and federal energy policy issues heading into 2025. Winter storm reaction with Matt Barnes from the National Weather Service in Lincoln. A chat with Dr. Sharon M. “Shelly” Nickols-Richardson, Director of the University of Illi...

We visit with Emma Magrady and Stephanie Swieca about their Fresh Air Friendship, a mission to visit every state park in Illinois. The two are named the Outdoor Influencer of the Year by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.  We chat with Sadie Asher of Henry County, who received the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee Excellence in Ag Award last month.  A check-in with Pivot Bio CEO Chris...

The Master Gardener program in Illinois celebrates its 50th anniversary this year as we chat with U-of-I Extension's Candice Anderson. We highlight Ag in the Classroom efforts in DuPage County with Ag Literacy Coordinator Kristina Baumbach. We visit with Illinois Corn Growers Association board member Chris Gould from Kane County.  

Highlighting our Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month recognition program, which was launched this school year. We hear from Avery Watson of Unity High School, Aidan Knobloch from Herscher High School, Max Main from ROWVA High School, and Ella Anderson from Annawan High School.

Reflecting on some of our favorite conversations during 2024: Former Illinois FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider just shortly before becoming National FFA President last October.  Ogle County Fair Queen Blakelynn Swanson from a livestock barn during Ogle County Fair week in August.   County Farm Bureau in action, as Schuyler County Farm Bureau President Chris Vogler in August discussing a deer n...

Curt Hastings, Illinois Farm Bureau Printing & Mailing Manager talks with RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer about his 40+ year career at IFB. Celebrating Ag in the Classroom in Hancock County.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp recaps 2024 market year.  

KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association recaps 2024 and looks ahead to 2025.   University of Illinois Extension Specialist Josie Rudolphi discusses mental health issues involving rural youths. Highlighting a couple of our favorite conversations from 2024, farm broadcaster Max Armstrong and the farmers who plant corn at the Field of Dreams site.   

Illinois Farm Bureau's Mark Gebhards reflects on his career with the organization.   Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely provides an update with the Corporate Transparency Act and the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting requirement. Highlighting one of our favorite 2024 interviews, Malachi Cliff of the Crete-Monee FFA Chapter.    

Holiday cheer, recipes, and traditions with RFD Radio's Rita Frazer and Jolene Neuhauser and Illinois Farm Bureau's DeAnne Bloomberg and Emily Hall. Plus, that soybean plastics plant reference in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses--USMCA victory for corn to Mexico, continuing resolution approval, and need for permanent Farm Bill. Riley Robb from earlier this year staffing the Lake Land College booth at the National FFA Convention.    Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recaps 2024 and looks at Christmas and New Year's Forecast.  

USDA Rural Development State Director Pam Monetti discusses several projects around the state.  We check in with Illinois FFA President Trenton Payne.  Illinois Manufacturers' Association's Mark Denzler speaks to the Illinois Corn Growers Association.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau's Kevin Semlow and Ryan Whitehouse discuss all the moving parts as it relates to the potential government shutdown and continuing resolution debate in Washington.   Jeff Adkisson of the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois provides an update and previews their 132nd annual convention and trade show.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo previews the Everything Local Conference.  Ameren Illinois' Stephanie Robinson discusses the Google Nest smart thermostat program. Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson recaps 2024 and looks ahead to 2025. Prairie Farms Dairy's Darin Copeland talks help with holiday meals and recipes. 

We highlight an Ag in the Classroom reindeer feed store project in Bureau County with Bureau County Farm Bureau Manager Jill Fruh.  Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate recaps 2024. We discuss the Illinois Farm Bureau Roots Lager project with DESTIHL Brewery Founder and CEO Matt Potts.  We get a monthly update from State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Illinois FFA Center Assistant Executive Director John Edgar highlights various FFA conferences this school year in Illinois.  Jon Rosenstiel, Illinois corn farmer, discusses his role as Vice Chair of National Corn Growers Association Biofuels Action Committee. Nancy Kreith, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator details her Gardening Wish List this holiday season.   DTN Ag Meteorol...

Mid-West Truckers Association’s Don Schaefer recaps 2024 and looks to 2025 as a change in administration takes place next month. Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses IFB’s collaboration with DESTIHL in Normal to launch Roots Lager.  We celebrate the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for December, Ella Anderson from Annawan High School in Henry County. Joe...

Illinois Corn Growers Association Executive Director Rodney Weinzierl recaps 2024 and looks ahead to 2025. We highlight the Outdoor Business/Business Owner of the Year from the Illinois Conservation Foundation, Park Bait and Stacey Greene from Chicago.  We discuss Will County Farm Bureau's participation in Wreaths Across America with manager Mark Schneidewind.

We discuss scam awareness and prevention with Brian Bretsch from Ameren Illinois.  We visit with Illinois FFA State Reporter Sidney Stiers.  Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel provides an update.  

We visit with the new chair of the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee, Stephen Riskedal from LaSalle County.   We chat with Farm Rescue volunteer Erv Geisler, who was staffing the booth at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. We get an update on the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025 from IALF Program Director Mellisa McMillan. State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes...

Illinois Wheat Association's Dean Campbell discusses a petition drive to place a wheat checkoff question before wheat producers.   We highlight Illinois Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Lisa Corp from Stephenson County.   We visit with retiring Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Director Keith Mussman from Kankakee County.   Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto talks about the chances fo...

We hear from Patoka, Illinois native and Nashville recording artist Drew Baldridge, who performed at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.   We visit with Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Discussion Meet winner Michaela Greathouse from Edwards County. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.