RFD Today

An update from Emma Magrady and Stephanie Swieca on their quest to visit every state park in Illinois. They are called the Fresh Air Friendship.Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel discusses taking precautions at unmarked intersections with obstructed views caused by the height of corn this time of year. Brock Key with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discusses their role with the IHSA bass fishing state finals at the Lake Shelbyville.  

Monthly check-in with State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes. Celebrating county fairs in Jersey and Mercer counties.  

Adam Rader and Donna Verda with Rader Family Farms of Normal discuss a corn maze recognizing COUNTRY Financial's 100th Anniversary. The segment also features COUNTRY Financial's Sarah Franzen.  Tyler Harp talks Syngenta fungicides. Meteorologist Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather looks at the remaining July weather outlook.  

Illinois Director of Ag Jerry Costello discusses celebrating service men and women as well as his time in the service as he prepares to speak again this year at the Morgan County Fair "Salute the Troops" event on July 9. Ryan Frieders provides a CropWatcher report from DeKalb County. Tom Moore talks about his role on the Jersey County Fair Board and Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Board. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.   

Illinois Agriculture Educator of the Year Ralph Allen from Mt. Pulaski High School and retiring Rockridge High School principal and former IHSA board member Katy Hasson reflect on their careers in education.

Learning about the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial from Shane Wagner, ranger at the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site.  Marty Marr highlights the Morgan County Fair.  Monthly update from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting.  

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood talks budget reconciliation process.  Manager-to-manager segment highlights the Madison County Farm Bureau.Learning about the Leaf Livestock Wool Company in Henry County with Anne Sammons.  

County fairs during the 4th of July with the Schuyler County and Grundy County Fairs. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick recaps June and talks July and August outlooks.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. Illinois Farm Bureau Member Engagement Manager Ashley Beutke highlights the Member Exclusive NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Experience at World Wide Technology Center Raceway in Madison, Illinois on September 7. Gary Steward provides a CropWatcher report from Stark County.Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

Monthly visit from Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.Jennifer Waters with Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education recaps the 2024/2025 academic year. Conversations with the Bremmer brothers from the Illinois FFA Convention. Ben, the Illinois FFA Treasurer during the 2023/24 term and Ethan, the new Illinois FFA Reporter.  

Monthly check-in with licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown.  Jean Brokish with American Farmland Trust discusses cover crops.  Valent's Ron Estes talks crop conditions throughout Illinois. 

Woodford County Farm Bureau Manager Autum Jones promotes this weekend's Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown.  Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo recaps Summer Horticulture Day and talks specialty growers tent at the Illinois State Fair. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director Local Government Ryan Tate provides monthly update.  

Celebrating June Dairy Month with Monica Nyman from the St. Louis District Dairy Council.  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford reviews June weather data and provides July outlook.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse discusses recent trip to Washington and budget reconciliation process in the U.S. Senate. Paul Munie provides a CropWatcher report from St. Clair County. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg talks the importance of nutrient stewardship field days. New Director of Strategic Programs & Education for the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Jenna Wicks. Hayden Kinkade, Richland County High School teacher and Olney FFA advisor on receiving Honorary State FFA Degree.

A conversation with CEO's: Jim Jacobs from COUNTRY Financial, Mark Orr from GROWMARK, Matt McClelland from Prairie Farms, and Nick Brooks from IAA Credit Union.  Also on the program, IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Emma Smith and Julie Hewitt from the Illinois Foundation FFA.  

Celebrating Pollinator Week with University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle. Highlighting the relationship between Illinois Ag in the Classroom and IL Corn with AITC's Kevin Daugherty and IL Corn's Tara Desmond. 

Matt Jungmann previews the 2025 Farm Progress Show. Monthly update from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. We learn about a community food plot project with the Crete-Monee FFA Chapter in Will County.DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says a heat wave is on the way Saturday through Monday. 

Monthly check-in with Don Schaefer from Mid-West Truckers Association. Jeff Guilander provides a CropWatcher report from Jersey County. Dave Newcomb from the Illinois Fire Service Institute promotes a grain bin rescue operations course later this summer. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan shares the takeways from his latest trip to Washington D.C.Coverage of the Illinois FFA Convention, including interviews with new Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt, first ever Illinois FFA Sentinel Paige Sierens, and Illinois FFA Treasurer Kaydance Wooton.

Illinois Star winners from the Illinois FFA Convention.Star in Agribusiness—Taylor Crouch from Maroa-Forsyth FFA.Star in Ag Placement—Reed Naughton from Olympia FFA.Star in Agriscience—Kade Boatman (goes by middle name) from Byron FFA.Star Farmer—Kade Beckmier (goes by middle name) from Taylorville FFA.Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones from the Illinois FFA Convention.  Valent's Ron Estes talks soybean production and responding to early growing season challenges.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza provides reaction to the recently approved state budget and also recaps a visit to southern Illinois.  Schuyler County Farm Bureau President Chris Vogler discusses the deer nuisance legislation that won approval during the spring legislative session in Springfield.  U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks lightning bugs and fireflies.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and and IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow recap the spring legislative session in Springfield. Doug Uphoff provides a CropWatcher report from Shelby County.  Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto talks a back-and-forth temperature pattern in June.  

A recap from the IHSA bass fishing state finals at Lake Shelbyville. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for June, Caleb Zwilling from Fisher High School in Champaign County.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.

Reaction to the recently completed spring legislative session in Springfield from KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association and Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business & Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine. Previewing the Classic Green Reunion, an event for John Deere collectors from across the country.  

Update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes.Celebrating the deep history of the Macoupin County Fair, which dates back to 1852.Aledo Rhubarb Festival this weekend.  

Coverage of the Illinois Beef Association Annual Meeting and awards program.Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting provides monthly update.Illinois FFA Center Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer details plans for next week's Illinois FFA Convention. Paul Wappel with the Illinois Department of Transportation highlights the summer construction season.  

National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider gives an update on his term. BASF technical service rep Jared Roskamp discusses spring planting season and early growing conditions.DTN ag memeteorologist John Baranick details active weather over the first two weeks of June.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Chris Davis recaps the recently completed spring legislative session. Brent Clair provides a CropWatcher report from Adams County. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow talks state and national issues. Tim Thompson provides an Illinois Corn Marketing Board update. We visit with IAA Foundation Distinguished Scholar Jack Jungmann.  Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator Perry Harlow promotes District Young Leader discussion meets.  

OSF Healthcare Regional Stroke Navigator Leslie Ingold highlights Stroke Awareness Month. We talk local foods with Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams of Pink Tiger Farm in Goreville, a small farm focusing on farm-to-jar chili powders.

Jennifer Russell with the Illinois Lyme Association highlights Lyme Disease Awareness Month. IAA Foundation Distinguished Scholar Jay Bliler from Christian County.Whiteside County Farm Bureau Manager Matt Lillpop details Junior Vet University.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo talks strawberry season in Illinois.Ron Moore provides a CropWatcher report from Warren County. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford details June outlook.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

Highlighting the first year of the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month program. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse provides reaction to the budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House this week. We kick off the Illinois county fair season with Bob Zellers from the Martinsville Ag Fair.  Darin Copeland with Prairie Farms Dairy talks partnership with Indy 500.  

Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown discusses mental health issues within the ag industry.  Claire Shipp with American Farmland Trust provides a May update.   Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate recaps the spring conference of the Illinois Association of County Officials.  Zak Swanson with Channel Seed discusses spring planting season. 

Illinois Farm Bureau President talks Family Farm Preservation Act discussions in Springfield and the budget reconciliation bill in Washington. Illinois Department of Transportation's Paul Wappel highlights traffic safety entering the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Illinois FFA Center Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer previews next month's Illinois FFA Convention. A Pioneer agronomy segment from Scott Eversgerd in southern Illinois.  

Family Nurse Practitioner Bethany Huelskoetter with OSF HealthCare in Godfrey discusses summer safety as we head toward Memorial Day Weekend.Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson says the "We are the 96" campaign continues to garner recognition. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says northwest Illinois and west central Illinois getting some needed moisture today.  

Shelbyville High School bass fishing coach Greg Harkins details the effort to bring the IHSA state bass fishing finals to Lake Shelbyville. Courtney Sandidge provides a CropWatcher report from Mason County.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Seven with Kevin featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. Monthly update from Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.  IL Corn's Megan Dwyer testifies before Senate Ag Committee.  Jennifer Russell with the Illinois Lyme Association brings attention to Lyme Disease Awareness Month.  

Matt Lynch gives a report on lack of planting progress in Edwards County. Monthly update from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.Manager-to-Manager segment features retiring Adams County Farm Bureau Manager Shawn Valter and his replacement Annabelle Schaffnit. Galesburg FFA Vice President Payton Crist talks growth in their membership numbers. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg details IFB pollinator grants. U of I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring gardening. IFB Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel provides a monthly update.A Pioneer agronomy segment from Emily Huber.  

Covering U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson's visit to Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan's Ogle County farm. Jackson, of Chicago, is a member of the House Ag Committee.Galesburg FFA Alumni Chapter President Ben Yeutson details the effort to grow numbers within the Galesburg FFA Chapter. Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto says after a warm-up this week temperatures will fall back below normal to finish May.  

Don Schaefer with Mid-West Truckers Association details a truck inspection blitz this week.Larry Hummel provides a CropWatcher report from Lee County. We meet Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month Natalie Pratt from Amboy High School.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities.  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks "Cheesecake Day" and the spirit of bipartisanship.  Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership Scholarship recipient Haley Bode.