This week I shall write about a topic I know better than most of the population, making hay. Our recent wet spring appears to be continuing with no end in sight. That does not bode well for planting row crops; however, it may very well be a good thing for Read more…
It has been an un-bee-lievable winter/spring so far. February was a harbinger of the season; my wheat broke dormancy mid-month. It was green and robust long before St. Patrick’s Day. If this accelerated growth continues, it will lead to a late June harvest rather than occurring during the 4th of Read more…
Since the world did not end with the eclipse as some prophesied it appears I will have to write another article and farm another season. I was front and center for the eclipse, in southern Indiana. Being a “self-described weather geek”, I felt I should experience this event since I Read more…
A quick internet search finds the definition of Earth Day as an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Did you know that the theme for the 2024 Earth Day is “Planet versus plastic?” I wish I had known that earlier; I had already drafted an Read more…
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how a farmland preservation program would work and why farmers/landowners would participate in such a program. It was my intention that I would write this week about why the non-farm community would support such a program. After much deliberation and a fair amount of Read more…
I recently participated in a discussion about the possibility of a farmland preservation program for Will County. You may ask, how would a program like that work and why would anyone participate? Let me try to explain. Assume a farmer would like to retire from a career of farming. They Read more…
Solar panels that make electricity are nothing new. Ever since I was old enough to think in an adult way, I have wanted a solar array of my own to harness the sun to make electricity. I have looked at the estimated costs to install them on a residential roof. Read more…
It is 8:30 at night and once again I have delayed writing my article. Not only have I procrastinated, but I am also stumped as to what would be a relevant and educational topic about agriculture that I could inject with some humor. However, there is a topic that occurs Read more…
Each year before Christmas, Kevin Daugherty, a former educator who works for the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program gives out recommendations for books on agricultural topics. Since my daughter, Danielle, is a teacher, I forwarded her the list for her review. I would rather buy books to Read more…
The past spell of above average weather to start the New Year was a blessing allowing me to tackle some of those odd jobs on the farm that were relegated to the “do later” pile. In 1971 my father built a 45’x90’ Morton pole building on our farm in Manhattan. Read more…