RFD Today

Coverage from the Everything Local Conference in Springfield, including conversations with Jenna Spychal, chair of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Scott Trimble from Famous Scott's Premium Popcorn, Jackie Sambursky from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Kristin Terry from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. 

Coverage from the Everything Local Conference as we visit with Janie Maxwell from the Illinois Farmers Market Association and Harold Wilken with Janie's Mill.   Wrap up from the AFBF Convention with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.   An update from the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks Identity Theft Awareness Week.   Rachel Hettrick with the Illinois Department of Agriculture discusses Illinois Heritage Farm Programs. Monthly update from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Coverage of the AFBF Convention in San Anotonio. Conversations with Sadie Asher and Michaela Greahouse. Celebrating more "We are th 96" recognition with Illinois Farm Bureau's Gracie Pierson. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford talks February outlook.   

Kraig McPeek with the US Fish and Wildlife Service discusses the decision to designate the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. He will speak at next month's Illinois Farm Bureau Government Affairs Leadership Conference. We visit with Marty Travis from Spence Farm in Fairbury and his involvement with Down at the Farms, a farmer to farmer marketing and deliver...

Highland High School FFA member Luke Schoen discusses his selection to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.   We chat with Alan Bailey, Midwest Solar Specialist for American Farmland Trust. We learn about the PPA Tour Challenger Series from Jeff Watson from the Professional Pickleball Association.  An update from Matt Rush with the Illinois Corn Growers Association.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse provides a lesson on executive orders. Darin Copeland at Prairie Farms Dairy has a product update.  Coverage of the Illinois Wheat Association's 30th annual meeting from FarmWeekNow's Rhiannon Branch. Valent USA's Vince Restucci discusses managing costs for 2025.

Brian Laird, Inpatient Pharmacy Manager at OSF HealthCare discusses best practices for storing prescription medications. He also provides information about compounded versions of weight loss drugs. Casey Bolin with FCAE provides an ag education update.  U-of-I Extension Beef Specialist Travis Meteer talks cold weather livestock care.

Coverage of the Quad Cities Farm Show, including conversations with Jake Anderson from the State Bank of Toulon, Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Director Jeff Kirwan, and Geneseo FFA Vice President Austin Pearce.  DTN ag meteorologist Teresa Wells says bitter cold conditions will give way to moderate temperatures but little snow. 

Coverage of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Annual Convention as we visit with IAAF President David Hake and Southern Zone Director Doug Telford.   We talk local government with Illinois Farm Bureau's Brenda Matherly and Ryan Tate.   Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau in action as we visit with Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow and Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse. We also chat with outgoing Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans.  And a conversation with Pam Monetti as she serves her last day on the job as USDA Rural Development State Director.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo previews the Everything Local Conference in Springfield Jan. 29-31.   We highlight the Taylorville FFA Chapter's livestock judging team.   We meet BASF technical marketing manager Josh Putman.    

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses 45Z Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit, Farm Bill, trade, and ag labor. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel highlight Rules for the Road seminars.    Jake Dukett, Natural Gas Public Awareness Supervisor for Ameren Illinois talks natural gas safety.   Stephenson County Farm Bureau President...

We visit with Illinois FSA Director Scott Halpin one more time before he leaves office.  Monthly update from Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson.   We chat with Robin Sheehan from the Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois. The group is being recongized as a co-winner of the Illinois Conservation Foundation's Outdoor Volunteer Organization of the Year. Freese-Notis...

Don Schaefer previews next month's Midwest Truck & Trailer Show.   Illinois Farm Bureau Economic and Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely provides an update on the Corporate Transparency Act. We celebrate Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Enegaged Student of the Month for January, Max Biehl from Freeburg Community High School. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

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.