RFD Today

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.  

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides a May update. Devin Bollman with the Illinois Beef Association talks May Beef Month.Coverage of Bacon Day at the Illinois State Capitol with the Illinois Pork Producers Association's Jennifer Tirey.  

We visit with Chris Schwarz from the Illinois High School Association about the state bass fishing finals moving to Lake Shelbyville.A Pioneer agronomy segment from western Illinois with Brad Mason.Checking in with Mary-Thomas Hart, chief counsel for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting "Washington Watch". 

We meet the new President and CEO of the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Amanda Martin. Talking county fairs with Jack Ratcliffe from the Boone County Fair.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says to expect a dry stretch of weather over the next 7-to-10 days.  

Matt and Heather Gritton discuss their Gray Matters Collective Ag Chapter in Henry County.  Brent Corners provides a CropWatcher report from Jefferson County.  An Illinois Ag in the Classroom update from Kevin Daugherty.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

A power packed Illinois Farm Bureau show with Kevin Semlow, Bill Bodine, Taylor Hartke, Lori Jackson, and Ashley Beutke. 

Celebrating 100 years of RFD Radio Network affiliate WJBC in Bloomington with Scott Miller.State Master Gardener Coordinator Candice Anderson highlights regional celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program. Learning about Pivot Energy from Illinois territory manager Nate Mendez.  

Lynn Weis with the Farm Family Resource Initiative discusses next month's Rural Mental Health Summit at the Agricenter in Bloomington. Crystal Williams provides a Pioneer agronomy segment from northern Illinois. The Illinois What Association promotes the Southern Illinois Wheat Tour.  

Jenna Spychal talks Jonamac Orchard and Illinois Specialty Growers Association.  Reaction to the Illinois Wheat Checkoff referendum being approved.  Paul Otto at Freese-Notis Weather discusses dry weather potential in May.  

Jennifer Smith discusses IAA Foundation scholarship awards.Jimmy Ayers provides a CropWatcher report from Sangamon County. State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark details a "100 Days Out" event.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses a number of issues, including Family Farm Preservation Act and trade.   Catching up with Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher.  Sherrard FFA President Levi Schurr promotes a Livestock Fitting Clinic.  Pioneer agronomist Jason McVicker provides an update along the I-80 corridor in northern Illinois. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely takes a deep dive into the "2025 Tax Debate". A chat with Cook County Farm Bureau leadership--President Janet McCabe and Vice President Gerry Kopping. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recaps spring weather thus far and discusses the outlook for the remainder of April and all of May.   

Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team members Alex Paul and Janella Neary highlight the strength of 4-H across the state.   Joel Barickman provides a CropWatcher report from Livingston County.  Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs historian David Engelbrecht talks the importance of county fairs in Illinois.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.   

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities provides his latest "Seven with Kevin" segment.  An update from American Farmland Trust.A local effort in Golconda to refurbish an 1887 building into a community center.  We meet Jersey-Greene County Farm Bureau Manager Macey Wellhausen.

We visit with western Illinois native Jon DeClerck. He is being honored by the Texas Tech Department of Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame, earning the Graduate of Distinction with Advanced Degree Award.Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo promotes the Market Maker local foods directory.  Bryan Thomas, Specialty Crops Portfolio Manager at Bayer Crop Science discusses grain sorghum products.

District 3 FCAE Program Advisor Allie Bode provides an Illinois ag education update. Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs with some reminders for Financial Literacy Month.  Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council discusses steps in changing your self-care routine. A Pioneer agronomy segment from southern Illinois with Jeremiah Jones. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow recaps his 29th Illinois Ag Legislative Day.CropWatcher Ken Taake provides an update from Pulaski County in southern Illinois. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg discusses Nutrient Stewardship Field Days and pollinator grants.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks more rain in the forecast for the remainder of April. 

Monthly visit with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.Update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for April, Isabella Bunting from Dwight Township High School.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan recaps Ag Legislative Day in Springfield. IFB Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel with some reminders as spring planting ramps up.  Monthly visit with U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson.  

Coverage of Illinois Ag Legislative Day in Springfield. Illinois FFA President Trenton Payne talks ag education line item. State Senators Andrew Chesney and Doris Turner highlight the Family Farm Preservation Act. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Chris Davis recaps the day.  

Sean Park, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, on the impact of dollar stores in rural communities.  CHS Agronomist Kurt Lahr discusses two products. Kevin Raber, Wabash County, on the heavy rains experienced in southern Illinois last week.

A discussion on UTV/ATV safety with Roger Goines from the Illinois State Police and Kristin Huls from the U-of-I Extension. Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson provides spring consumer engagement updates at the county farm bureau level. Meteorologist Paul Otto from Freese-Notis Weather recaps last week's heavy rains in southern Illinois. 

Dr. David Winchester from the City of Hope Cancer Center discusses skin cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. Meteorologist Justin Gibbs from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY talks rain totals in southern Illinois following last week's storm system.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth discusses her recent visit with the St. Clair County Farm Bureau. Talking Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation with Program Director Mellisa McMillan and Class of 2025 fellow Jean Brokish.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks food assistance and access following a check presentation in a Chicago neighborhood earlier this week.  FarmWeekNow's Rhiannon Branch details weather conditions in southern Illinois and previews the CropWatcher season. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine provides says landowners continue to hear from wind and solar developers.IFB Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting provides a monthly update.  

We learn about Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area with Executive Director Sarah Watson, Executive Director and Program Manager Heather Feezor.An Illinois Ag in the Classroom update from Kevin Daugherty.Previewing the Midwest Horse Fair with Teri Giannetti.

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides an update.Reminders from KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association as spring planting season gets underway.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says southern Illinois can expect plenty of rain this week.