RFD Today

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan recaps Ag Legislative Day in Springfield.  IFB Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel with some reminders as spring planting ramps up.   Monthly visit with U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson.  

Coverage of Illinois Ag Legislative Day in Springfield.  Illinois FFA President Trenton Payne talks ag education line item.  State Senators Andrew Chesney and Doris Turner highlight the Family Farm Preservation Act.  Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Chris Davis recaps the day.  

Sean Park, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, on the impact of dollar stores in rural communities.  CHS Agronomist Kurt Lahr discusses two products. Kevin Raber, Wabash County, on the heavy rains experienced in southern Illinois last week.

A discussion on UTV/ATV safety with Roger Goines from the Illinois State Police and Kristin Huls from the U-of-I Extension.  Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson provides spring consumer engagement updates at the county farm bureau level.  Meteorologist Paul Otto from Freese-Notis Weather recaps last week's heavy rains in southern Illinois. 

Dr. David Winchester from the City of Hope Cancer Center discusses skin cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.  Meteorologist Justin Gibbs from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY talks rain totals in southern Illinois following last week's storm system. 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.   U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth discusses her recent visit with the St. Clair County Farm Bureau.  Talking Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation with Program Director Mellisa McMillan and Class of 2025 fellow Jean Brokish.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks food assistance and access following a check presentation in a Chicago neighborhood earlier this week.   FarmWeekNow's Rhiannon Branch details weather conditions in southern Illinois and previews the CropWatcher season.  Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine provides says landowners continue to hear from wind and sola...

We learn about Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area with Executive Director Sarah Watson, Executive Director and Program Manager Heather Feezor. An Illinois Ag in the Classroom update from Kevin Daugherty. Previewing the Midwest Horse Fair with Teri Giannetti.

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides an update. Reminders from KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association as spring planting season gets underway.   DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says southern Illinois can expect plenty of rain this week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse recaps last week's Leader to Washington program.   Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown talks spring planting season.   Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.    

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow with his latest edition of "Seven with Kevin." We meet DuPage County Farm Bureau manager Kara Norton. Illinois Wheat Association update from Matt Wehmeyer. A visit with mental health advocate Adrienne DeSutter.

Chris Embry Mohr, science and ag teacher at Olympia High School, discusses a popcorn project at the school.   An IL Corn update from Executive Director Rodney Weinzierl. Ryan Tate and Mitchell Remmert with the Illinois Farm Bureau Local Government team talk the Allies in Agriculture program.  

We learn about natural gas distribution from Ameren Illinois.  Scott England discusses his documentary film, "The Farmer's Daughter".  Darin Copeland with Prairie Farms Dairy details a new product line launched ahead of the Indianapolis 500.

Andy LaVigne with the American Seed Trade Association discusses the "Growing Matters’ BeSure! Campaign".   Recognizing the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program with recent grads Jay Long and Kristen Ewing. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recaps winter and previews spring. 

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood talks tax provisions, Farm Bill, trade and tariffs.   Neoga School District Superintendent Kevin Haarman discusses impacts from a recent tornado.   Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

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...