Partners

Built by a Chicago grain merchant, this historic site and non-profit arts park now hosts a farmers market, fast proving the place to be each Sunday in the Chicago suburbs. Volunteer Sharon LeCoque, and farmers and market vendors Mike Biver with Terra Vitae Farms, and Colin Raclawski with Von Bergen's Country Market, share what it's all about.

With harvest in full-swing, Marty and Andy Dole take you to one of their farm fields and inside their combine as they harvest this year's crops. Marty shares what's taking place, and Andy how he has built an audience for his farming adventures online.

More Illinois farmers have started selling products they raise and grow directly to you, many right from their Illinois farms. Hear from three that do so, Wanda Farm, Hephzibah Farms, Inc., and Cody's Farm & Orchard, and about an event that allowed visitors to learn about what they, and several other Illinois farmers have to offer directly to you.

To clean or not to clean, should you soil test, how to put tree leaves to work for you and more. Hear from Jan Phipps, Partners gardening writer, and Duane Friend, a University of Illinois Environment & Energy Stewardship Extension Educator, on what you might consider to keep your gardens and lawns growing and flourishing in the future.

Take a deeper dive into the cost and availability of what's in our current and future salad bowls. Bob Young, president of Agricultural Prospects and former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau sorts it out, and Jamie Johansson, California farmer and president of the California Farm Bureau who has details on the drought and wildfires impacting what some call our nation's salad bowl.

In addition to harvesting crops, these Illinois farmers have a wedding and new child arrival plans this fall. Iroquois County farmer Krista Lottinville and Gallatin County farmer Blake Luckett share details on this year's crops and how they'll juggle family and other changes on their farms.

In Part II of a two-part series on autumn adventures in Illinois, find out what's new with fall-favorite chrysanthemums, how to care for them, keep them coming back, Mumfest and more with farmers Greg and Mariah Anderson.

In Part I of a two-part series on autumn adventures in Illinois, learn what's new on this Illinois apple orchard and some others this fall. Raoul, Jodie and Brandon Bergersen, a family-run orchard growing apples and several different fruits.

Small, medium, large, whatever the size of animals, significant demand exists for doctors of veterinary medicine or DVMs. Dr. James Lowe, an educator, adviser, researcher, farmer and associate professor at the University of Illinois (U of I), Sydney Leib, a second-year student in the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Chelsea Ballinger, a vet-med school graduate who has established a mobile veterinary practice all share what it takes, costs, and more.

What's your favorite fair food? Three of the largest fairs in Illinois have returned this year, and offer the conventional, unusual and healthy options. Hear from Partners Prairie State Perspective author Joanie Stiers on her family's take, and from Raghela Scavuzzo, executive director of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, on how this group offers fresh, locally-grown food and more at the Illinois State Fair.

What EF means when it comes to tornadoes, longer seasons, what's a snow drought; in part II of our two-part series on weather and climate, National Weather Service-Chicago Meteorologist Rafal Ogorek, and State Climatologist Trent Ford discuss our roller-coaster weather year thus far, the numbers they collect and look at and weather and climate research taking place.

The National Weather Service (NWS) plans some changes when it comes to weather advisories. An assessment of what climate change means to Illinois recently received an update. In the first of a two-part series, find out what both mean to you, with NWS Meteorologist Rafal Ogorek, and Illinois State Climatologist, Trent Ford, Ph.D.

Opportunities abound to explore the heritage behind the food we and the farms that grew and grow it. In this episode, learn about the American Farm Heritage Museum and the historic Marbold Farmstead, both in Illinois with regular hours and special events.

What's in season, and what are some great ways to prepare fresh Illinois-grown fruits and vegetables? University of Illinois Extension Educator Elizabeth Wahle, Ph.D., shares what's coming from the fields, and Partners food writer Jodie Shield shares four quick ways to put them to work.

As we enter peak fresh fruits and vegetables season, how can we be ensured what we select, prepare and eat remains clean and safe to eat? Raghela Scavuzzo, Associate Director of Food Systems Development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Brenda Foos, director of the federal USDA's Agricultural Marketing Services Monitoring Programs Division, share what's taking place to ensure food safety and offer tips on common sense food preparation practices.

Take a closer look at what's driving the supplies and costs of some favorite foods that make up the classic American cookout with Veronica Nigh, acting chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Lynn Martz, a Dekalb County crops and livestock farmer.

Partners gardening writer and master gardener Jan Phipps shares what you might want to watch for and do now to keep you gardens growing and producing. Olga Arias, president of the Rainbow Beach Community Garden, the oldest in the Chicago Park District community garden system, describes how their plots are proceeding, a new Cookfresh® grant recently secured from Cook County Farm Bureau, and what it's like to garden next to the second largest Great Lake.

One of the first coast-to-coast highways to accommodate automobiles takes a scenic and historic route through Illinois. Kay Shelton Kozak, national president and Illinois chapter state director of the Lincoln Highway Association, shares what you'll experience on the road across Illinois. Jodie Binkley, co-owner of Harner's Bakeries and Restaurant, shares why you might want to put one of its locations on your list of places to stop during your Illinois Lincoln Highway adventure.

With three young children and twins on the way, this farm family didn't quite know what the future held when their barn burned three years ago. Illinois farmers David and Katie Vanderstappen share their story on why they were determined to rebuild and what had to take place to be able to welcome their dairy cows back to the home farm.

Shocked about some of the prices you’re paying? The former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Bob Young, examines what we’re paying now and what we might pay in the weeks and months ahead. He’s joined by farmer Brian Duncan, vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, who provides some perspective on factors impacting what he and other farmers grow and produce for our plates.

Popularity of locally-grown, fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and more trended upward even before the pandemic. Find out how farmer Natasha Lewis has kept up with demand from her family’s Big Rock Organics farm in northeast Illinois, along with Cassie Rae, general manager of Farmhouse Meat Company in western Illinois, who talks how to go whole-hog or whole-cow.

USDA figures show women make up almost 25% of those who qualify as “farmers” in Illinois. Flower, fruit and vegetable farmer Jenny Kinney counts as one, and she, along with spouse Aaron and their nine children have made their growing business, like many Illinois farms, a family affair. Hear about what they grow, where they sell, and how they do it.

In the second part of our two-part series, what you might expect when you visit Illinois farms to pick fresh fruits and vegetables this year. Raghela Scavuzzo with Illinois Farm Bureau explains what’s available now. Illinois farmers Greg McLaughlin, Chris Eckert along with Amy and Michael Harris share you-pick protocols and why you and your family should come out to their farms.

Picking season in some parts of Illinois has begun as some perennial and so-called cold-season crops have matured enough for us to enjoy. In the first of a two-part series, hear from Amy and Michael Harris of Rising Sun Family Farm, Chris Eckert of Eckert’s, about the fruit and vegetable growing season thus far, along with Raghela Scavuzzo, associate director of food systems development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, on what you might expect when visiting you-pick farms and farmers markets this year.

There’s nothing quite like the taste of real butter. What’s it like producing the milk that’s turned into butter – and some of the science behind this dairy food? Come with us to Don and Rita Mackinson’s Illinois dairy farm and hear from the so-called, “fat guy,” Adam Lock, Ph.D., of Michigan State University, for a taste of dairy farming and butter.

Additional learning programs to help meet demand for locally-grown food and places to experience the farming sector continue to increase in Illinois. Find out how and why with Sheri Doyel, director of the Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College (MCC), Jenny Kinney, a local farmer among a group helping to advise the program, and MCC students Israel Sandoval, Amanda Story, and Kitt Garmisch.

Illinois farmers Jenny Mennenga and David Wessel share why they plant what they do, what goes into how they decide what to plant, how it impacts our environment, and other variables and adventures taking place on many farms each spring across Illinois.

In addition to humans, Renold Bleem added animals to his chiropractic practice. Hear why, what results, how it changed him, his wife Melanie, their family and his practice.

A national forest, multitude of state parks, wine trail, world’s largest attractions, fire breathing dragon, and best of all, warmer climes and closer by, consider exploring southern Illinois. Illinois South Tourism’s Andy Waterman and Southernmost Illinois Tourism’s Carol Hoffman share what’s especially unique at this time of year.

Many of us reconnected with or increased our appetites for fresh, locally-grown fruits, vegetables and other home-grown products last year, which, along with public health measures, required many farmers, farmers markets and you to adjust. With a preview of what we might expect in 2021, hear from Jenny Kinney, president of the Illinois Vegetable Growers Association, who farms with her family on Piscasaw Gardens Farms, and Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

Come with us to an Illinois maple farm to explore sap harvest for syrup along with exploring the craze for this special kind of yogurt made with milk from Illinois dairy farms. Mike Funk with Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, along with Jodie Shield, R.D., and Partners food writer explore these two home-grown, tasty ingredients.

Home cooking has taken on some new dimensions for many of us over the last year. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or country, hear from This Farm Girl Cooks food blogger Deanne Frieders, who has a husband, four children, substitute teaching, a crop plus cattle farm and cooking up a storm all on her life’s plate.

We have more options than ever, most which are grown, raised or made in Illinois. Mark Messina, Ph.D., Soy Nutrition Institute, Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., Myriah Johnson, Ph.D., both with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau, provide perspectives to help you make educated and tasty choices.

The federal government recently released figures on greenhouse gas emissions, while at nearly the same time, a coalition of food and farm sector groups and companies offered up some ideas on ways to spur further progress on climate-related issues by the U.S. agriculture sector. Erin Fitzgerald, CEO of U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action, and John Newton, Ph.D., chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, sort out numbers and discuss possible ways ‘green’ options could take place in the future for additional progress.

Extreme weather can result in some long days and nights for farmers raising animals. Hear how evolving technology helps keep the animals they raise well and growing with pig farmer Thomas Titus, dairy farmer Sarah Lenkaitis, and sheep farmer Brad Temple.

These are busy days and weeks for flower farmers. They share how to keep your bouquets looking great longer, what to expect this year when it comes to floral prices, more on bouquet subscriptions, floral designer trends, what happened to flower fragrance, and how to get the best deal. Sharing their expertise is Candice Hart, owner of Pollen & Pastry and President of the Illinois State Florists’ Association, and Stacey Shanks, owner of Locust Creek Flower Farm.

Illinois communities and businesses such as restaurants have adopted innovative ways to connect with you, like as offering new ways to buy groceries, creating bonfire brunches and other outdoor eating events, even songwriting contests. It’s been a tough year for a sector that at one time, supplied half or more of our meals. Hudson Riehle with the National Restaurant Association and Neil Russell with Sysco share statistics on the impact the pandemic has had on restaurants. Nick Povalitis, with the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, shares what’s taking place in this Illinois community and one of its restaurants, featured in a recent edition of Partners magazine.

Cure winter and quarantine boredom by planning your new vegetable and flower gardens. Partners gardening writer and Illinois Master Gardener Jan Phipps, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup, and Extension Local Foods & Small Farms Educator Nicholas Frillman, fill you in on key things to get you off to a good start.

Hear from Partners magazine food writer, Jodie Shield, RD, and Jenny Yang, who owns and operates Phoenix Bean in Chicago, on all things you might want to know about tofu. Shield provides details on how to warm up with this tasty protein, and Yang shares specifics on where she sources her soybeans, how tofu is made, and where you can find it in Illinois.

Some farmers and groups that represent them welcomed the opportunity to host the creative forces behind a fast-food chain’s advertising campaign that questioned food production’s impact on climate change. Hear what transpired and resulted from Michelle Miller, known as the Farm Babe on social media, and Fernando Machado, chief marketing officer for Restaurant Brands International, which owns and operates Burger King.

Might you, your spouse or partner be looking to strengthen or maybe salvage your relationship? A program exists right here in Illinois, it’s free, and you can participate right in your own home. Find out about Illinois Strong Couples with Allen Barton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Illinois; Karla Belzer and Tessa Hobbs-Curley, University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educators. They help implement this new, statewide relationship education program.

What do farmers markets, snowmobiling, sharing the road, young and new people growing our food all have in common? They represent Illinois farm, family and food-related places, events and issues-related topics featured among the Top 5 Partners podcasts over the last year based on downloads. Rewind – and unwind with us once more in this episode.

What gadgets did we buy this year? What mood foods did we try out? Have our attitudes toward food availability changed? Hear from Susan Schwallie, executive director for food and beverage consumption, NPD Group, Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., founder, CEO of Malachite Strategy & Research, and Brian Duncan, farmer, vice-president, Illinois Farm Bureau.

What do health tests and vaccines have to do with growing food? Both have benefited from science that has helped lead to COVID-19 tests and vaccines and potentially more climate-smart, nutritious foods and other products. Fan-Li Chou, vice president, scientific affairs and policy for the American Seed Trade Association, and Clint Nesbitt, senior director, science and regulatory affairs for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, shed some light on the topic

Whether you’re still on the hunt to cut your own real Christmas tree or find a precut one at an Illinois tree farm or nursery, there are some simple things you can do to keep it looking great for weeks. Hear from Illinois Christmas tree farmer Janie Dollinger, and University of Illinois Extension Educator Ryan Pankau, a forester and arborist, on this year’s tree market, tips you can use, and even where you might find a recipe for hot, holiday apple cider.

Rivers, rails, unrivaled interstates and international air hubs at both ends help make Illinois a prime location to supply all kinds of food to all kinds of places across the state, country and world. Throw in some of the best land to grow food and farmers that grow it and some say it’s the food capital of the country. Hear from Tom Welge, whose Illinois-based food company employs more than 3,000 people, and Tyler Strom, managing director of the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance, to see how the state’s food sector has weathered the pandemic storm and where it might be going.

Yes, you, your family and friends do have several options to get out and have some fun this holiday season while staying safe. Discover details on a Chicagoland arboretum featuring multi-colored trees and landscapes, a north-central Illinois town with its light-filled park lanes, and dozens of other light shows, Christmas tree farms and even drive-in movie theaters hosting holiday movie marathons worthy of your visits. Hear from Morton Arboretum’s Tari Marshall, LaSalle Mayor Jeff Grove, and IllinoiSouth Tourism’s Andy Waterman.

Come with us for a visit to this family farm preparing to welcome customers to pick up their fresh, farm-raised turkeys. John and Kiersten Schoen of Red Barn Farm Meats share their turkey and other meat-raising and selling adventures, and John Newton, chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talks turkey and other food prices, supply and availability.

Some young Illinois farmers share what they’re trying to do to help replenish the resources of Illinois food banks and pantries. Knox County farmer Drew DeSutter and Winnebago County farmer Aaron Mitchell join the Executive Director of Feeding Illinois, Steve Ericson in discussing efforts to help keep all Illinoisans well-nourished in the weeks and months ahead.

They had to make major adjustments, but many Illinois farmers markets that have a winter season will be open for business. If you aren’t already, hear why you might want to find and visit one, with Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association, and Kayla Graven, manager of the Old Capitol Farmers Market.

What makes an outstanding farm dog and what exactly do they do? Meet Rayne, an award-winning Illinois dog that serves Illinois farmers Julie and Terry Willis well on their farm. Hear from Julie Willis and from the dog’s trainer, Lori Swanson about all of Rayne’s adventures and why she’s an important partner on this Illinois farm.