RFD Today

Monthly update with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.   Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses data centers.  The 103 year legacy of the Winchester Invitational Tournament with tournament historian Kent Coultas.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Illinois Bill Graff discusses Farmer Bridge Assistance payments.   Ed Shimon from the National Weather Service in Lincoln promotes a Storm Anxiety Webinar scheduled for Jan. 21. Johnna Fulcher recaps her reign a...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson recaps the AFBF Convention in Anaheim.  Also from Anaheim, we visit with a county farm bureau member from Tennessee, Herman Partin.  Casey Bolin, District 5 Program Advisor for Faciliating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) gives an update on ag teaching vacancies. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks fruit...

Coverage of the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, including conversations with Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Kade Hill from Livingston County and Daniel and Constance Herriott from Champaign County. Plus, highlighting DuPage County Farm Bureau's "Grow Your Own Food: A Container to Table Activity". Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto says cold, snow, and ice on the wa...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson from the AFBF Convention in Anaheim. Catching up with Henry County farmer Kate Huffman following her Excellence in Ag presentation at AFBF Convention.   Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for January Kinley Stolte from Nokomis High School in Montgomery County. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.  Jennifer Smith highlights IAA Foundation scholarship season.  Learning about a proposed Basketball Museum of Illinois project from Bruce Firchau of the Illinois Basketball Coaches of Association. 

Talking 2026 Illinois State Fair with State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark.  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza promotes making financial resolutions in the new year.  

Talking 4-H with Illinois 4-H Director Kevin Carey.  Jeremiah Fairbanks with Morton Buildings discusses farm building "checkups". Highlighting the collegiate farm bureau chapter at the University of Illinois with Robby Holtschlag.  

John Shadowens, University of Illinois Extension Community Economic Development Educator discusses the challenges and issues independent grocers are facing in Illinois. Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty provides monthly update.  DTN agriculture meteorologist John Baranick talks drought monitor. 

Talking skin cancer and prostate cancer screenings with City of Hope.  Learning about Norbert, the skateboarding pig in Buffalo Grove.  Commstock Investements Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt discusses her first six months in office.   Troy Uphoff details his participation in the National Corn Growers Association yield contest. IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features Dave Nanninga from IllinoisHighSchoolGloryDays.com. 

A best of show on New Year's Day featuring: Rick Collins with Firmitas and his work on barn restorations. Dakarai Howard with the Illinois Department of Agriculture at a community food plot hosted by the Crete-Monee FFA Chapter.  Jacob Burks from AgMarket.net reliving his days on the rodeo circuit.  David Grindle with the International Association of Fairs and Expositions on the financial impact o...

Recapping last weekend's damaging storms with meteorologist Ed Shimon from the National Weather Service in Lincoln.  Highlighting a Champaign County Farm Bureau program called Farm Smarts: A Fresh Look at Farm Fundamentals.  Looking back at 2025 with the Illinois Soybean Association and Midwest Dairy.  

Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to 2026. First ever Illinois FFA State Sentinel Paige Sierens discusses the first six months of her term.   Talking IDNR First Day Hikes with Troy Gilmore at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site.  Meteorologist Paul Otto at Freese-Notis Weather recaps last weekend's storm and looks at New Year's Eve and New Year's Day...

Highlighting Illinois' newest FFA chapter, Routt Catholic in Jacksonville.  Recapping 2025 with Lindsay Croke from IL Corn. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

A conversation with new Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee Chair Garrett Williams from Richland County. Ryan Gentle from Wyffels Hybrids details the company's Harvest Progress Map.   IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment is with Farmington High School coach and eduactor Toby Vallas, who's being inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  

Special Christmas show featuring Christmas memories from Nikki Taylor (Jim Taylor's wife), Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Issue Management DeAnne Bloomberg, Monticello High School educator & coach Cully Welter, farm broadcaster Max Armstrong, and retired WRMJ owner John Hoscheidt.  

An extended conversation with Dr. Ed Hightower, who played a key role in responding to a food desert and bringing a grocery store to Venice, Illinois. Dr. Hightower currently serves on the SIU Board of Trustees. He spent many years as Edwardsville School District superintendent and is a retired Big Ten basketball official, working 12 NCAA Final Fours.  

Talking school bus safety and raising public awareness on stop arm violations with Rockridge School District Superintendent Marcus Bush and Illinois State Police Trooper Shafer McKune.  Holiday travel update with Paul Wappel from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford details Christmas and New Year's weather.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses the resolutions process leading up to American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention next month.  IFB Economic and Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely highlights the 2025 State of the Farm Economy report.  Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association promotes next month's Everything Local Conference. Commstoc...

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  Illinois Ag Leadership Class of 2027 update. IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features WRMJ Sports Director Ty Taylor discussing IHSA football playoff expansion proposal that won approval this week.  

Bill Graff, State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Illinois discusses the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.    Raghela Scavuzzo, Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development highlights the "specialtygrowers.org/shoplocal" online resource.  Updates from the American Farmland Trust and Illinois Wheat Association.   

Talking urban agriculture at Augustana College in Rock Island with Ian Empen and the "Augie Acres" project.  AAA's Molly Hart discusses holiday travel numbers.   Monthly update from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel.  

Talking popcorn business with Scott Trimble from Farmer Scott's Premium Popcorn in Heyworth.  Kane County Farm Bureau highlights its "Eat, Join, Win" project.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says December weather will stay active, but turn warmer.   

Don Schaefer from Springfield, IL based Mid-West Truckers Association discusses a nationwide crackdown on CDL mills.  Illinois FFA Center Assistant Director John Edgar highlights several conferences. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.