Partners

An Illinois farmer that raises pigs and cattle along with a veteran food and consumer analyst sort out the issues that will determine whether or not we continue to enjoy meat on our plates as usual, or if it might go the way of toilet paper aisle in grocery stores. Polo farmer Brian Duncan, who also serves as vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food...

A group of Illinois young farmers and agriculture professionals stepped up and raised funds to help replenish Illinois food banks and pantries. Listen in on Aaron Mitchell, a 28-year old farmer who serves on Illinois Farm Bureau’s (IFB) Young Leader Committee, Steve Ericson, executive director of Feeding Illinois, and Raghela Scavuzzo, IFB’s director of food systems development, as they share thou...

Find out how some Illinois farmers have changed to meet demand for food while at the same time, ensuring the safety of their workers and the food well all want and eat. Hear from Raghela Scavuzzo, director of food systems development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, Zachary Grant, local food systems and small farms educator with University of Illinois Extension, and Michelle Sirles, whose family oper...

Stay healthy by ensuring these four superfoods, easily grown here in Illinois, are on your menu and in your garden. Partners food writer Jodie Shield, a registered dietitian, reveals what they are – and discusses how she incorporated each in some of her recipes. Partners gardening writer Jan Phipps, a master gardener, shares some dos and don’ts now to get them, and other plants, shrubs and trees i...

This Illinois-based internet technology company recently took a Federal Communications Commission pledge to keep Illinoisans connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to how they are doing it, and what you can do to improve your internet connectivity, with Wisper ISP CEO Nathan Stooke, and Jesse Dunn, Wisper field technician.

Similar to farmers, Illinois food wholesalers and retailers have been deemed essential and continue to work to keep food and other products moving and shelves replenished. Hear from Rick Siemer who runs an Illinois wheat milling company, and Paul Simon, with Schnucks Markets, which has supermarkets in Illinois and four other states.

How has the global coronavirus pandemic impacted what we wear, how we power our vehicles and what we eat, and how much might it do so in the future? Hear from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia farmer Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, and Ogle County, Illinois farmer Brian Duncan, who serves as vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau...

After one of the toughest years in memory to farm, how are the people that grow our food and other rural Illinoisans faring as we enter a new growing season? What’s being done to help ensure mental wellness throughout all of Illinois? Hear from Illinois farmers Greg St. Aubin and Drew DeSutter, along with internist Dr. Paul Pedersen, M.D., chief medical officer at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, an...

Does the recent sunshine and warmer temperatures have you itching to get out and grow? You’re not alone. With the third highest number of farmers markets in the nation – including winter farmers markets – Illinoisans have a healthy appetite for fresh, fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy grown and produced right here in our state. Find out what it means to live local, grow, buy and eat the bounty th...

In this episode, listen in on our state’s and country’s future leaders from Arrupe College, Eureka College and the University of Chicago (U of C) as they visit an Illinois farm and discuss farm and food-related topics and issues with some Illinois farmers. It was part of the U of C’s Institute of Politics program entitled, Bridging the Divide. Now in its third year, it strives to foster a deeper u...

Illinois-based MightyVine grows fresh tomatoes 365 days a year. The company recently opened its third, massive greenhouse on 7.5 acres, and will ship vine-ripened tomatoes to Chicagoland grocery stores, restaurants and other points in the Midwest. Listen to company CEO Gary Lazarski, State Rep. Tom Demmer and MightyVine’s Director of Business Development, Danny Murphy, on how, why and where they a...

Over its 150 years, the National Weather Service (NWS) has kept an increasingly watchful eye on the sky that has helped protect our food supply, our property, and our lives. In this episode, Chris Miller, the NWS warning coordination meteorologist in central Illinois, discusses what to do before such things as winter storms, lightening, flash floods and tornadoes turn our world’s upside down, tech...

More of the meat, milk and eggs we eat have a good chance coming from right here in Illinois. Tasha Bunting is a mom, raises livestock and oversees Illinois Farm Bureau’s efforts to help the state’s livestock farmers succeed. Hear from Bunting, along with Kay Johnson Smith, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, on topics such as how animal care changes with the seasons, use of anti...

Farmers, Farm Bureau and groups such as The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) can be valuable sources of information when you and others have questions about farming and food and emerging technology about both. Hear from Bill Pauling and Lisa Garrow from the DuPage County Farm Bureau and Roxi Beck, CFI’s director of consumer engagement.

Some Illinois farmers, those in other states, and the chief economist for the nation’s largest organization of farmers share thoughts on the condition of the farm economy, its impact on farmers, and their outlook for 2020. Listen to John Newton, chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, Ben Boyd, Georgia farmer, Blake Hurst, Missouri farmer, and Illinois farmers Drew and Adrienne De...

Springfield has plenty to do indoors with cultural, culinary and affordable places and events to check out. Amy Beadle with VisitSpringFieldIllinois.com and Chris Wills with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum provide details on why you should consider visiting Illinois’ capital city.

Our state serves as the gateway to an extensive network of trails for snowmobiling in the upper Midwest. Hear from snowmobiling enthusiasts that describe the trail network in Illinois, in surrounding states, and why this family fun, winter sport continues to grow.

From climate-smart farming, to small-town distilleries, to home-state parks worthy of discovery in 2020, which Partners podcast was your favorite? Listen in on segments from the top-five most listened to Partners podcast episodes over the last year, and get these Illinois farm, family and food-related places and events on your to-do list in the new year.

After a wild weather year, Illinois’ new state climatologist Trent Ford, provides an outlook for 2020 and beyond with a group of Illinois farmers from across the state.

After a half-decade of tough economic and weather conditions, some Illinois farmers and others involved in the state’s food and farming sector may need a helping hand when it comes to mental wellness. Hear what Amy Rademaker, rural health and farm safety coordinator, Carle Foundation Hospital, and Josie Rudolphi, Ph. D., assistant professor of agricultural safety and health, University of Illinois...

Move over Taste of Chicago, Illinois farmers provided a Taste of Illinois featuring fresh food from across our state. Hear from some of the farmers that provided Illinois-grown leafy greens, peaches, bread, beef and a lot more at the event held in Chicago.

An Illinois farm couple converted a classic, old corn crib into an art studio and gallery on their farm, which attracts visitors from town and well beyond. Take an audio tour of this DeKalb County venue, learn how it happened and what it features with Valerie and John Weberpal of rural Sycamore.

Some Illinois farmers describe how they’ve maneuvered through one of the toughest years to farm in recent memory, yet still have much to be thankful for as well. Southern Illinois farmer Richard Guebert Jr., central Illinois farmer David Meiss, and northern Illinois farmer Tammy Halterman also share some of their favorite Thanksgiving memories on their farms.

A former high school on old Route 66 in downstate Illinois has been converted into a family-run destination that attracts visitors from across Illinois and around the world. Meet the owners, Dave Hammond Sr., Dave Hammond Jr., and diner manager Tonia Pickerill to find out why you don’t want to pass up the Pink Elephant not far off of I-55.

You can find sweets in virtually all shapes, sizes and maybe even flavors at the Chocolate Factory near Golconda in the heart of Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. Find out the back story to the winter Partners magazine article and hear from business owner Linda Meherg, her daughter and co-worker Angela Bailey, story author Kim Hill and video producer Helen Dobbyn Reedy.