Let me repeat the topic I started to write about 3 weeks ago. Are you a friend of agriculture? I recently participated in the Illinois Farm Bureau Activator program. We were tasked with reviewing local politicians’ voting records to decide if they should receive endorsements and possible campaign contributions in Read more
Are you a friend of agriculture? I recently participated in the Farm Bureau Activator program. We were… stop. I need to change gears to a topic that is more relevant time wise. Is it hot enough for you? Meteorologists claim that the 3rd week of July is usually the hottest Read more
After the weather prevented hay cutting for 25 days on my farm, I prepared for a 4-day long weekend trip to Galena, Illinois and Dubuque, Iowa. It was suggested that since the rain had finally abated 2 days before I left, I should cancel and make hay instead. I replied, Read more
Tonight I intend to write about a prickly subject. It is not about too much rain or data centers or solar facilities. I would also like to ask a serious question about your health; when was the last time you had a stress test? The Canadian thistle has been a Read more
When I took algebra in the 8th grade, I was thoroughly convinced there was no way it would ever be useful for the rest of my life. Did you feel the same? For most of my life safety experts have claimed that agriculture is a very dangerous job. Let’s see Read more
Once again the nation has paused to honor those who have secured and guaranteed the freedoms we use and unfortunately sometime abuse. I have repurposed an article I originally wrote in 2013 about 3 local farmers as we celebrate Memorial Day on the year of our 250th year of Independence. Read more
In 2005 I traveled to New Zealand as a participant in the Illinois Farm Bureau’s market study Program. New Zealand agriculture had previously become heavily subsidized. In the 1980’s they transitioned away from government support. Earlier today I found a small notebook with my notes from the trip. Here are Read more
I bet most of us our enjoying this burst of warm weather. My weekly weather email stated that for our meteorological district to date for the month of April, it is the 14th warmest out of the last 135 years. It is also a bit wet still. Planting will take Read more
At 9:15 P.M. on March 21, my wife and I boarded the Amtrak train, City of New Orleans, in Kankakee. Upon entering the train, we went to the dining car and had a late dinner. We learned quickly that the train made some serious wobbles upon the tracks; it wasn’t Read more
Happy Easter everyone. Do you do anything special for Easter? Easter means it is the anniversary of a little experiment that I started in 2012. After a brief visit with Nick Reiher about his new role for the Farmers Weekly Review, I decided I would punish myself each Wednesday by Read more