RFD Today

Previewing a Rural Business Transitions Webinar Series with Michael Delany from the University of Illinois Extension and Norm Walzer from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.  Monthly visit with Jenna Spychal from the Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Jonamac Orchard. Highlighting Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois "Farmer Veteran of the Year" Ed Dubrick from Iroquois County, who also participates in the Illinois Farm Bureau A-LOT program or Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow. 

National Corn Growers Association chief economist Krista Swanson and American Farm Bureau Federation economist Danny Munch recap their presentation at last week's Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference in Springfield. Highlighting Cambridge Middle School FFA Chapter.  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses the Climate Prediction Center's spring weather outlook.  

We learn about historical preservation efforts in Cairo from Don Patton, founding president of The Cairo Historical Preservation Project and Quinn Adamowski of Landmarks Illinois.We hear from for Illinois FFA state officer Derek Sample, who is with the SIU-Carbondale Collegiate Farm Bureau and currently student teaching in Wayne City. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.   

Federal and state updates with Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features Winnebago High School boys basketball coach Joe Murphy, who just picked up his 900th coaching victory.  

Leading up to National FFA Week, an update from the Executive Director of Illinois Association FFA Mindy Bunselmeyer. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo recaps last month's Everything Local Conference.  Raelynn Parmely, IFB Economic and Policy Analyst breaks down the latest USDA Farm Income Forecast.  

Coverage of the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference. Conversations include Illinois Farm Bureau Bureau President Philip Nelson, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. Courtney Sandidge from Mason County details her participation in the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program. Breese Mater Dei Catholic FFA members Angeleen Wesselmann and Lyla Koch share their Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership experience. 

Independent filmmaker Christina Shaver discusses two projects in Aledo. One involves the film "Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois" and the other involves a documentary film on late Aledo artist Gertrude Abercrombie.  Bill Graff, State Executive Director USDA-FSA and Shelley Sweatman, Illinois Conservation Division Chief USDA-FSA, talk CRP sign-up.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick discusses the possibility for severe weather on Thursday.  

Highlighting the first-ever Breaded Pork Tenderloin Draft from the Illinois Pork Producers Association with IPPA's Mikayla Schaefer and winner Jeff Buckler, owner of Buford's Pub in Sadorus. Learning about the California Farm Bureau from Fiona Carroll, field representative. Interview recorded during last month's American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Anaheim.  Previewing a new market with Joe Camp from Commstock Investments.   

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.Monthly update from Jennifer Tirey with the Illinois Pork Producers Association.IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features Normal U-High speech coach Brian Rohman, who will join the IHSA as an Assistant Executive Director in July. 

Monthly visit with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.  Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg recaps her presentation at the Illinois Farm Bueau Young Leader Conference last weekend.Jeff Behme, a farmer from Carlinville, details his participation in the 2025 Asgrow Brand National Yield Contest.

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes talks summer interns and trapping cooperators. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel discusses non-domiciled CDLs. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson details seed starting. 

An update from the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2027.Coverage of the Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club's Farm Expo with WIU Ag Mech Club President Owen Bull and McDonough County Farm Bureau President Colby Hunt.Meteorologist Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather talks February rain forecast for southern Illinois.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Chair Garrett Williams from the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference in East Peoria over the weekend.Mid-West Truckers Association's Don Schaefer from the Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show in Peoria.  Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for February, Trent Stiers from Williamsfield High School in Knox County.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow with state & federal updates.Tom Super with the National Chicken Council provides the Chicken Wing Report leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.Final day of gubernatorial candidate coverage. Today's topic is wetlands.  IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features Nashville High School girls basketball coach Dempsey Witte, who's been named an NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Coach of the Year.   

Alexa Groff with National 4-H and Iowa 4-H discusses a 4-H artificial intelligence curriculum.  Coverage all this week of Republican gubernatorial candidates running in the March 17 primary. Today, the candidates talk energy.Chris Wills with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum highlights two free admission days in honor of Lincoln's birthday.  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza promoted identity theft awareness.  

Randa Watts and Andrew Rehn with Prairie Rivers Network highlight their collaboration with the University of Illinois Extension on hosting three webinars on topics related to data centers. Coverage all this week of Republican gubernatorial candidates running in the March 17 primary. Today, the candidates talk biofuels. Also, monthly updates from IL Corn and Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting.  

Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown previews her presentation to the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference and also offers her February challenge.Kacie Athey with the University of Illinois Extension discusses her research work involving insect pressures with peaches and pumpkins. Coverage all this week of Republican gubernatorial candidates running in the March 17 primary. Today, the candidates talk estate taxes. Janie Maxwell promotes the Illinois Farmers Market Association. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick provides February weather outlook.   

Previewing the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference with keynote speak Lance Weaver with Legacy Farmer. Coverage all this week of Republican gubernatorial candidates running in the March 17 primary. Today, the candidates provide intros and opening remarks. Strategic Nonprofit Leader Sharon Dodd highlights "Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant".Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

More coverage of candidates running for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat in the March 17 primary. Today's topic involves federal government's role with conservation.  "Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.  IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment with Brad Bennewitz from WGIL in Galesburg.  

More coverage of candidates running for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat in the March 17 primary. Today's topic involves young and beginning farmers. Monthly update with American Farmland Trust.A conversation from earlier this month at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim with Jacob Marek from the Arkansas FFA.  

More coverage of candidates running for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat in the March 17 primary. Today's topic involves renewable fuels. Jenna Spychal, chair of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association promotes this week's Everything Local Conference. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza highlights the "Bank on Illinois" program.  

Coverage of the U.S. Senate race in Illinois as the March 17th primary approaches. Today, the candidates talk Farm Bill.  Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips from Effinghma County looks forward to her reign. Illinois State Climatlogist Trent Ford recaps last weekend's winter storm.  

Coverage this week of the U.S. Senate race in Illinois as the March 17th primary approaches.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  DeAnne Bloomberg reflects on her career as she retires as Director of Issue Management for Illinois Farm Bureau.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow. Tracking this weekend's winter storm with Christine Wielgos, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY.IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features legendary Lincoln High School basketball coach Neil Alexander, who is four wins shy of 1,000.

Previewing this month's Everything Local Conference with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo. Coverage of the MIDWEST AG EXPO from Gordyville USA with WITY's Dave Brown.  Talking Illinois Farm Bureau local government priorities with Brenda Matherly and Ryan Tate.  

Monthy conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson.  Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure promotes upcoming Rules for the Road programs.  Visiting with Kristi Jones, who has been named new Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.Effingham County Farm Bureau Manager Julie Stephens.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.    

Highlighting the Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show with Don Schaefer from the Mid-West Truckers Association.  Coverage of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs 115th Annual meeting, including interviews with outgoing president David Hake and incoming president Gary Mielke. Previewing a new market week with Commstock Investments Joe Camp.  

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 as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. 

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 tree pruning.  

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 way over the next 12 days.  

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 of county fairs.  

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 weather.  

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.