Editor’s note: The letter comes ahead of U. S.-China trade talks, between President Trump and President Xi of China. The men are scheduled to discuss U. S. soybean and agricultural exports. The letter is endorsed by the Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
August 12 and 13, 2025, Fair Results are listed: Junior and Open Textiles; Junior and Open Agriculture Products; Junior and Open Dairy; Junior and Open Hobbies; Junior and Open Swine; Horticulture; Pedal Pull 1. If a winner’s town is not listed, it is Morrison. All towns are in Illinois
The Annual Whiteside County Fair runs Tuesday, August 12, through Saturday, August 16, 2025. Display your Antique Tractor at the Whiteside County Fair. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done by contacting Ron Shank at 815-772-7157. Each participant will receive a 154th Whiteside County Fair plaque to display on
Congressmen Eric Sorensen and Mike Lawler introduced their bipartisan Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act, to ensure farmers who improve their soil health (through capturing carbon) are rewarded. The bipartisan and bicameral bill is a companion to legislation in the Senate that was introduced by Senators Tina Smith
Congressman Eric Sorensen and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson introduced their bipartisan Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act. [This legislation] would improve flood and drought mitigation in agricultural communities across Illinois, through existing U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. Said Congressman Sorensen, “I’ll never forget the concern I
Editor’s note: The photograph is by Jay Dirks; his Nature-themed artwork is available at The Loft on Main. Volunteer Millers at de Immigrant Windmill will host a Conservationist Duo on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 Tenth Avenue, in Fulton, IL. Dave Harrison and Dean
In anticipation of a new season of crop production, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Editor photographed these well-groomed acres. They lay between Norrish and Hazel Roads. Not a speck of green indicated what would soon emerge. It was clear, however, that unseen seeds were poised to creep through
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year, have until Tuesday, April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging dairy producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began January 29, 2025; the deadline to enroll is Monday, March 31. “We encourage
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, National Agriculture Day, U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins [recently] announced that the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers. Funds will [sourced] through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop
Illinois Counties affected by Quarantine Designation for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) include McHenry County and Lake County. This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit through emergency loans, to producers recovering from natural disasters.
Congressman Eric Sorensen will attend the 2025 Quad Cities Farm Show Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. His intention is to learn about the latest farming equipment from exhibitors and to meet with local farmers. Congressman Sorensen will be available for questions from the public. The
Natural Land Institute (NLI) is pleased to announce that two parcels of land were purchased in December 2024, totaling 208 acres, to protect their natural features and wildlife habitat. These projects were made possible because of the tremendous support of NLI members. On Monday, December 16, the land conservation
The University of Illinois Extension office will be providing weekly Homegrown Healthy Classes at 5:30 p.m., to teach participants how to effectively grow a garden; introduce gardeners to hydrophonics; share recipes made with garden produce. Classes are free. Register at www.go.illinois.edu/homegrownhealthy. Classes start Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Community
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), starting today through Friday, March 29, 2024. This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat, while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon