RFD Today

Our weekly 7 With Kevin, sharing an update on state and federal issues. We then talk to the IHSA State Bass Fishing Tournament Champs from Wheaton. Finally, Illinois Farm Bureau's Chris Davis provides additional details on the state policy impacting agriculture.

Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown provides a mental health update. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks tomato planting season.   Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty is joined by children's author Penny Thomas to discuss the national Ag in the Classroom Conference.  

In Wednesday's show, we hear from Illinois FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider as the State FFA Convention nears.  Joshua Bolen highlights this Saturday's 13th Annual Forreston FFA Alumni Truck & Tractor Pull. We celebrate the career of Peoria County Farm Bureau manager Patrick Kirchhofer, who is retiring May 31. 

We hear from IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Eric Wisely. We get a CropWatcher report from Ron Moore in Warren County.   Julie Hewitt breaks down the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council's annual report.  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford reviews May weather.  

We highlight the county fair season with Mark Walker with the Greene County Fair. Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora with BASF talks soybean pests.  State Treasurer Michael Frerichs provides an update.    Joe Camp of Commstock Investments previews a new market week.

Friday's show features our "Seven with Kevin" segment highlighting the work of Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  We get an update from acting State Director for USDA Rural Developmeny Molly Hammond. Illinois Farm Bureau Assoicate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate details a couple of important local government resources.  

State Rep. Sharon Chung discusses the Family Farm Preservation Act.   Darin Copeland discusses Prairie Farms Dairy products. Helen VanBeck from American Farmland Trust promotes the Soil Health Leadership program. Lindsay Mitchell, Director of Communications and Marketing with IL Corn will talk about a race they are sponsoring on June 22 to showcase a new shoe made of corn. There’s a consumer engag...

Guests include Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation.  We also chat with COUNTRY Financial’s Vice President of Claims and Client Services Jesse Kohlbecker. We get a Pioneer agronomy segment from Matt Montgomery.  

Illinois FFA Center Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer previews next month’s Illinois FFA State Convention. Ryan Arch from the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association highlights a Heyworth bio-reactor project.  Jim Donnelly, technical agronomist for DEKALB/Asgrow discusses tar spot.   DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick provides a summer outlook. 

State Senator Dave Koehler discusses the Family Farm Preservation Act. We get a CropWatcher report from Joel Barickman in Livingston County. Zack Hinthorn, senior agribusiness underwriter with COUNTRY Financial talks grain bin safety. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

Friday’s show features “Seven with Kevin”, our weekly segment with Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. We get an update on the Family Farm Preservation Act from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Chris Davis. We talk storm response and Mylar balloon issues with Ameren Illinois.   We learn about a farm safety event in Fulton...

We talk trade and Farm Bill with Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood. Karen Stallman gives us an update on the Farm Family Resource Initiative.  Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel checks in with his monthly chat.  

We talk Family Farm Preservation Act with State Rep. Harry Benton of Plainfield.  We get the latest on all things local foods from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Raelynn Parmely highlights Nutrient Stewardship Field Days.  Jason McVicker provides a Pioneer Agronomy Segment.  

We chat with IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Justin Huff. Illinois Farm Bureau's Ashley Beutke promotes a discounted member package for the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR race in Madison, Illinois Jennifer Russell with the Illinois Lyme Association highlights Lyme Disease Awareness Month.  Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather talks active weather pattern.  

We talk Family Farm Preservation Act with State Senator Doris Turner.  We get a CropWatcher report from Paul Munie in St. Clair County. We get an update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Friday's show features Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow and his "Seven with Kevin" segment.  We chat with Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones. We highlight Macomb's connection to the popular boardgame Monopoly as we talk with the Executive Director of Visit Unforgettable Forgtonnia Jock Hedblade and Macomb Mayo...

We visit with State Rep. Norine Hammond about her support of the Family Farm Preservation Act. We get an update from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting. We highlight the University of Illinois Extension’s Invasive Species Symposium. Emily Huber provides a Pioneer Agronomy segment. 

Kara Norton, DuPage County Farm Bureau manager discusses their "Grow your own food" program. We hear from $7,500 Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership scholarship recipient David Mock. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks May active weather. 

State Rep. Jason Bunting discusses his support of the Family Farm Preservation Act.  Ken Taake provides a CropWatcher report from Pulaski County.  Cheryl Walsh with the Illinois Producers Association recaps Bacon Day at the Illinois State Capitol building.   Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.

We lead off the show with the "Seven with Kevin" segment featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine provides a legislative and regulatory update. We hear the latest on the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025.   University of Illinois Extension's Ken...

Plenty of updates on Thursday's show. Guests include State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes, KJ Johnson from the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, and Kevin Daugherty with Illinois Ag in the Classrrom.  

State Rep. Charles Meier discusses the Family Farm Preservation Act. Devin Bollman provides an Illinois Beef Association update.  Kurt Gibson with the IHSA highlights the state series in bass fishing.  We get a Pioneer Agronomy segment from Scott Eversgerd

We visit with Charlie Ring from Farm Engage, a business that was the result of Effingham High School's CEO program.  We get an update from Vanessa Wright, Taylor Hartke, and Lori Jackson. They talk Young Leader and Youth and Collegiate Farm Bureau topics.  Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto talks spring active weather.     

State Rep. Maurice West of Rockford discusses his support of the Family Farm Preservation Act. We get a CropWatcher report from Lee Elliott in Jasper County. The IAA Foundation's Jennifer Smith highlights 2024 scholarship recipients.   Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.