Partners

It’s time to harvest Illinois horseradish, where farmers grow the most in the United States. Farmer Barry McMillin shares why he grow’s it, distributor Dennis Diekemper explains what his company does with it, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Alan Walters, Ph. D., explains why you should consider eating this power-packed, home-grown herb.

Hundreds of accidents take place every year in our state as a result of mishaps between motorists and farm machinery. Illinois farmers Dan Ziller and John Kiefner, both who farm in counties surrounding Chicago, share some of their experiences as they try to transport their farm vehicles, and offer some suggestions on how you and others can help them by sharing the road, especially at this importan...

Come with us into the fields and learn how this year's crops fared as they are being harvested. Join Illinois farmers Joanie Stiers and Dave Kestel as they reflect on how harvest is progressing during a most unusual year.

For farmers that jumped into cannabis production in recent years, it’s that time of year to harvest this year's crop as well. Hear from pioneering Illinois farmer Andy Huston; the director of the alternative crops research program in the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University, Win Phippen; the new manager of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Cannabis Division, David Lakeman; a...

Hear from a farm involved in and the leader behind this statewide effort that promotes fresh, locally-grown food. Leslie Cooperband, who co-manages Prairie Fruits Farms & Creamery, and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton share some of what has resulted, and what might be in store for Cultivating Our Communities.

Most orchards, pumpkin patches and even some haunted corn mazes welcome your fresh-air visits this fall. Hear from Austin Flamm about his family’s fruits and cream store and Partners food author Jodie Shield on how to put fresh Illinois fruits and vegetables to healthier work for you and your family.

Trees, vines, plants, and crops need food too, yet how can farmers maximize organic and inorganic fertilizer use and help ensure it stays in place? Hear from farm family members Mark, Jenny and Caiden Litteken, along with Andrew Margenot, Ph. D., about what they continue to learn about good farm stewardship.

When Brad Riskedal fires up his equipment to harvest crops, Joyce Riskedal fires up her candle-making business that uses some of what their Illinois farm fields grow. Meet this Illinois farm family that has many different business ventures taking place in its fifth generation of existence.

This first-generation, Illinois farm family shares their adventures in apprenticing, enduring trial and error and why they moved into Illinois to do what they love to do. Meet Nathan and Talina Ryder, along with author Celeste Huttes, who covered the story for Partners magazine.

A flurry of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables now fill farmers markets across Illinois. More and more now stay open all year. Find out what many of the farmers markets and the farmers that sell at them have done to keep the food healthy and your visits safe, with Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

Farm families often deal with things such as isolation, close proximity to family, and things like weather that can change their business in a split second. What can the rest of us learn? Thirtysomething farmers Drew and Adrienne DeSutter share their experiences, outlook and words of encouragement.

Learn how one small, Illinois community has made fresh, local food available once again and has created excitement among its residents that they hope spreads. Beef farmer Shaun Tyson with the new Market on the Hill and Kyle Reed, who manages Hilltop Community Gardens that supplies the market share the enthusiasm from the central-most point in Illinois.

This episode examines how the Illinois and the rest of the U.S. farming and food sector has recovered as a result of the COVID-19 shock, and what we might expect when it comes to full or empty shelves, what food might cost, what has gone up, what went down. Hear from Ogle County farmer Brian Duncan, vice-president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, and John Newton, who crunches the numbers as chief econ...

Want to get outside to pick some fresh fruits and vegetables this summer and fall? Illinois farmers that welcome you and other visitors to pick have made adjustments to help ensure your Illinois farm experience remains fun, healthy and safe. Hear from Stephen and Lugene Miller, orchardists who run Liberty Apple Orchard, and Chris Eckert, who leads his family’s pick-your-own farms, on what you migh...

This episode examines what we’re doing differently when it comes to buying, cooking, eating and more with food as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and what might be ahead when it comes to availability, convenience, price and other factors. Hear from foodies such as Susan Schwallie, executive director of food and beverage for the NPD Group, Kevin Ryan, founder of Malachite Strategy & Research,...

These Illinois farmers pride themselves on having some of the first, fresh, Illinois-grown sweet corn in the state. Meet Keith and Denise Boggio, who share how this year’s sweet corn crop and other fresh, locally-grown vegetables and fruits are coming along.

Some new things are growing at this food and farming exhibit at a major Midwest science center within easy driving distance. Explore what’s new with Maddie Earnest, manager of the GROW exhibit at the St. Louis Science Center.

Yes, you can take this course at one of the biggest universities in our state! Hear from its instructor, meat scientist Brandon Klehm, along with Partners magazine food writer and registered dietitian Jodie Shield, who highlights recipes for such things as grilled salad, grilled pizza and yes, grilled banana splits.

Venture south with us to learn why an Alexander County farmer has seen sales of his gourmet, high-protein rice soar, and hear from a Wayne County farmer that recently received national recognition for her family’s thriving fruit and vegetable business. This episode features Partners magazine writer Kim Hill, Cahokia Rice grower Blake Gerard, and Frey Farms founder and Women in Produce award recipi...

Hear how this organization in our state’s most-populated county helps urban farms and community gardens flourish. The episode features Tucker Kelly, lead grower for Growing Solutions Farm on Chicago’s west side, Gerry Kopping, who farms in Cook County, and Debbie Voltz, who helps manage member engagement, commodities and marketing programs for the Cook County Farm Bureau.

If you’re giving serious thought to purchasing fresh, Illinois-produced meat in bulk, you’ll want to hear from Bethany Petentler, a worker at a western Illinois custom slaughter and meat processor, and University of Illinois meat expert Brandon Klehm. Author Joanie Stiers, who wrote the story in the summer edition of Partners magazine, shares what she learned too.

Meet Partners magazine Prairie State Perspective columnist Joanie Stiers who shares her take on the county 4-H fair experience along with University of Illinois 4-H Director Lisa Diaz, Ph. D, on how county 4-H shows, exhibitions and fairs may change in 2020.

Trying times require creative ways to solve local challenges, especially in recent months. Hear from these county Farm Bureau leaders that outline specific examples of what they’ve been doing to keep food moving where it needs to be, while at the same time, supporting local farmers, businesses and engaging you and other members as we collectively flatten the COVID-19 curve. Guests include Richland...

Slim pickings in the meat case or other sections of the grocery have some thinking about raising their own poultry and livestock. Hear from Illinois farmer Joel Reedy, who raises crops and beef, Purdue University food and agricultural economist Jayson Lusk, and University of Illinois Extension educator Teresa Steckler for perspectives on keeping grocery shelves well stocked, what you need to consi...

A third of Illinoisans lived in rural areas when our last major pandemic hit. Listen to John Gooding, an Illinois farmer, share how his family lost several members to the Spanish Flu a century ago, and to some comparisons and differences explained by Dr. Sana Waqar, M.D., infectious diseases physician with Southern Illinois University Medicine in Springfield.